[TheInedibleHulk]

Im having a serious problem taking off one of my thompson stems. It's like all the bolts are just seized. The faceplate has been on there quite a while but the pinch bolts have been on there for like 5 hours and they are totally stuck. I didnt even crank them down that hard. Ive broken two 4mm allens trying to get the damn things out. One came loose and the other one wouldnt, I tried tightening the first one back down but it didnt help. I have a bunch of thomson stems and Ive had sticky bolts before, but not like this. Im sure if I had greased them I wouldnt be having this problem, but I just slapped the bike together in a hurry so I could box it up to fly home tommorow. Anyone had this problem?

 

[Dartman]

It's a common problem with Thomson stems. You'll have to drill out the head of the stuck bolt to release the clamp. If the clamp bits are damaged you can get new ones from Thomson.

You have to be very diligent with greasing the bolts (under the bolt heads too) an using proper torque. The steerer and inside the stem clamp area has to be grease free as well.

I gave up using the Thomson 50mm for DH use. The bike got wet so often the clamp just seized up. I couldn't adjust it on the trail after a crash if it turned. They're still my favorite for XC use.

Mike

 

[jncarpenter]

Im having a serious problem taking off one of my thompson stems. It's like all the bolts are just seized. The faceplate has been on there quite a while but the pinch bolts have been on there for like 5 hours and they are totally stuck. I didnt even crank them down that hard. Ive broken two 4mm allens trying to get the damn things out. One came loose and the other one wouldnt, I tried tightening the first one back down but it didnt help. I have a bunch of thomson stems and Ive had sticky bolts before, but not like this. Im sure if I had greased them I wouldnt be having this problem, but I just slapped the bike together in a hurry so I could box it up to fly home tommorow. Anyone had this problem?

.......I bought a 4mm allen socket that made life much easier