Is this fatal to my fork?

[cgolvin]

After swapping stems on my Ottrott and noticing a tiny bit of shake in my headset while descending, I went to add a spacer and…the [Cane Creek] headset insert into which the top cap screws (don't know the official name) came out with the cap.

This is what the inside of the steerer looks like:

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1726/40779749620_14f4cf192a_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/258ySPo)Uh oh (https://flic.kr/p/258ySPo) by cgolvin (https://www.flickr.com/photos/nivlog/), on Flickr

Hard to see, but there appear to be some strips of carbon now on the inner side of the metal insert in the top of the steerer. I plan to take it to my LBS today but would like to know what to expect. Am I looking at a fork replacement? I have about 1.5cm of excess steerer, maybe I can get away with shearing off the top portion of the steerer?

How concerned should I be? Thanks all.

[staggerwing]

Hard to tell with the photo, but from your description, you just pulled out the expansion plug. If that is a 'glue in' it might be difficult to get the broken bits out. If you do, just replace with a Ritchey and be done with it.

FWIW, the plug is only in use for setting static pre-load on the headset. Once the stem bolts are tightened, you can even back off the torque on the top cap without consequence.

[lhuerta]

...hard to tell, but you need to fully remove the portion of your compression plug that appears to still be lodged in your fork. The carbon shaving are an indication that your compression plug may have been shoved in to the fork rather than inserted and then wound up to correct tension. Post more pics after removing the remains of your compression plug....

[ultraman6970]

Looks like is the compression plug to me... just grab a little flat screwdriver and a hammer and hit it gently in an angle so the piece get unstuck off the carbon. And next time be sure to put (you or the shop) some carbon gel in there so it doesnt happens again and the thing doesnt need too much torque to get the headset ok.

[Mike Lopez]

Is that an F or S series Serotta fork? Or Ouzo Pro perhaps?

Looks like somebody created a shim of sorts to use an expander not made for that ID steerer.

This is what the inside of the OE steerer should look like.

[cgolvin]

Is that an F or S series Serotta fork? Or Ouzo Pro perhaps?

Looks like somebody created a shim of sorts to use an expander not made for that ID steerer.

This is what the inside of the OE steerer should look like.

Good eye, as I'd have expected -- it's an S3 Serotta fork.
What sort of expander should I be looking for? I've seen at least one review recommending Specialized…

thanks much

[Mike Lopez]

Good eye, as I'd have expected -- it's an S3 Serotta fork.
What sort of expander should I be looking for? I've seen at least one review recommending Specialized…

thanks much

Not sure what aftermarket parts are available these days.

I've got a supply of NOS Ouzo preloads. The downside to some folks is they don't let you use other top caps. CK etc.

PM me if you're interested.

[cgolvin]

What looked like a metal shim was simply the outer edge of the compression plug after it came apart. There are shards of carbon separating from the inner diameter of the steerer which made it challenging to put a new compression plug in, but the LBS mechanic cleverly used a deformable sleeve to hold those shards flush and then insert a new compression plug. Unfortunately it's an FSA so, like the Ouzo that Mike mentioned, I can't use my nice looking cap. Oh well, much better than replacing the fork.

Thanks all.