headset lock nut seized - any advice?

[MarinMartin]

hey guys. while trying to strip my peugeot down (putting mostly new components on it) Ive encountered the first of probably many problems. the headset locknut is seized solid. tuns out the time it spent outside wasnt kind to it and its rusted onto the forks thread I think. has anyone encountered this before and managed to get it off? really want to build this bike up to use so would be gutted if I had to scrap it just because of that. just need to replace this one as it's all chewed up and damaged. thanks

 

[PopsTrippin]

Turn it upside down and soak the headset in Plusgas.. it might take a few days of soaking if it's really bad but it will work.

 

[MarinMartin]

ah ok cheers. took a fair bit of time to get the stem out but got there eventually. now the locknut is stuck as well. the joys of old bikes

it will not beat me though.

 

[ishaw]

Bigger spanner for more leverage. If you have a vice, lock the headset bolt(s) in it and turn the forks. A soaking in something to free things up a bit won't hurt either.

Luckily I've never had to resort to such things, but what I've seen my step-dad do to a car engine, suspension etc to get things free beggars belief, so the above are peanuts in comparison and should do the trick.

 

[fun at fiftyish]

Hi If I was going to replace the headset,as I guess you will be? The trusty Dremel cutting disk or even the oldskool hacksaw,,Instant gratification does it for me and none of the sweat,hassle and grazed knuckles,,,Just cut a slot,open up with a screwdriver and it will just fall off,if you make the cut line up with the the "slot" in the steerer tube ,no damage to the threads will occur..You can then partake in the age old ritual of seeing how far you can throw the offending item , using a few well chosen anglo-saxon words to send it on its way..
Mark

 

[minor_LEGEND]

Just put a broom handle or similar through the forks (below the crown) then with your spanner on the locknut or slipJaws if the thing is that chewed-up & undo.

 

[legrandefromage]

Make sure it isn't secured by a recessed grub nut. This would lock the top nut tight. Not very common though but you never know.

 

[MarinMartin]

hacksaw and swearing was my next port of call, was just seeing if there were any more humane methods first . cant see any recessed nuts but will double check.

 

[hamster]

I would give the lock nut a bit of a heat shock with a blowtorch. It will expand and crack the bond with the steerer.