Repair guides › Cockpit

Raise or lower a quill stem

Older style stem that slides inside a threaded steerer. A long bolt pulls a wedge up, jamming the quill in the steerer.

Open this job in RideLoadout▶ Watch it done

Tools

• Ball-end hex key set (1.5–10 mm): Park Tool HXS-1.2 Professional L-Shaped Hex Set ($$)
• 1/4" click torque wrench (about 2–17 Nm) + bits: Pro Bike Tool 1/4 inch drive click torque wrench set (2.2–16.9 Nm) ($$)
• Soft mallet + star-nut setter: Rubber mallet + star nut setting tool ($$)

Compare Good, Better and Best for each tool

Steps

1. Loosen the top bolt 3 turns.
2. Tap it with a soft mallet to free the wedge.
3. Set height, staying below the minimum-insertion mark.
4. Align with the wheel and tighten to the stem's marking (generic quills about 16–18 Nm). Hold the wheel between your knees and twist the bars hard: they must not move.

Signs it needs doing

• Bars turn independent of wheel

Problems this fixes

• Numb hands or sore wrists
• Sore back, neck or shoulders