Threadless steerer removal

[DCBassman]

As far as I understand these things - not much, then! - when the cap, stem and spacers are removed, then all being well, the steerer/forks should essentially just drop out.
Well, with the rather neglected Norco Indie 3 hybrid I rescued from the dump, it won't come out.
It does turn very freely, not rough at all. It just won't come out.
I've not applied more than gentle force. Yet. Presumably the steel steerer is rusted to the bearing cages, but I've never dismantled a headset before, of either type, so, basically, not the faintest idea what I'm doing...

Your valuable insights greatly appreciated!

 

[jowwy]

As far as I understand these things - not much, then! - when the cap, stem and spacers are removed, then all being well, the steerer/forks should essentially just drop out.
Well, with the rather neglected Norco Indie 3 hybrid I rescued from the dump, it won't come out.
It does turn very freely, not rough at all. It just won't come out.
I've not applied more than gentle force. Yet. Presumably the steel steerer is rusted to the bearing cages, but I've never dismantled a headset before, of either type, so, basically, not the faintest idea what I'm doing...

Your valuable insights greatly appreciated!

if its an alloy steerer - give it a tap with a hammer, with a piece of wood protecting the top of the tube or a rubber mallet

 

[si_c]

if its an alloy steerer - give it a tap with a hammer, with a piece of wood protecting the top of the tube or a rubber mallet

That should do it, also you could keep the wheel in as well and place a foot on that, pulling up slightly on the frame to keep tension on it as you use the hammer.

 

[DCBassman]

It's a steel fork/steerer.

 

[Vantage]

There's probably a circlip which needs to be removed. A sharp knife should do it. Under that you'll have a rubber wedge that'll need prising out and then the steerer should just plop out.
The Vantages original headset was like that.

 

[Lonestar]

Happened to me...totally jammed.....Not rusted at all...In the end the LBS cut the stem.

It wasn't even rusted at all.Got new forks and stem now but rebuilding has been slow.About 75% done.

 

[Andy_R]

More than likely it's the compression ring. Give the top of the steerer tube a whack or 2 with a mallet which should loosen off the ring and the whole lot should then just slide out.

 

[DCBassman]

Ah, that's a really useful diagram. Thanks!

 

[Threevok]

I have found that (providing that the bike is all in one piece)

1) remove the stem and remove any spacers below the stem
2) replace the stem in it's original position, leaving a gap between the stem and the headset
3) While standing over bike, grab the front brake with one hand (so the front wheel locks) and the top of the stem with the other hand
4) Continually rock the bike back and forth until you hear a "clunk" or the headset loosens
5) Occasionally lift the bike by the frame to see if the forks will drop

 

[DCBassman]

Good idea!