Star Nut Conundrum

[cmb5286]

I recently picked up a used frameset and discovered that the owner used a star nut instead of a compression plug in the fork steerer. Does anyone here experience with removing one? I’ve read all sorts of ways to remove it.

So far drilling out the center and letting the nut collapse in on itself is my most feasible option. I don’t want to hammer it further down into the steerer. There’s no apparent cracks in the steerer.

[Old School]

Search my posts for a writeup on this.
In the meantime, I will try to find it.

found it, also other tips in the thread.

https://forums.thepaceline.net/showp...57&postcount=4

[Dude]

Originally Posted by cmb5286

I recently picked up a used frameset and discovered that the owner used a star nut instead of a compression plug in the fork steerer. Does anyone here experience with removing one? I’ve read all sorts of ways to remove it.

So far drilling out the center and letting the nut collapse in on itself is my most feasible option. I don’t want to hammer it further down into the steerer. There’s no apparent cracks in the steerer.

1. Some carbon forks were designed to use star nuts. Before you go down this path make sure you actually need to do this.

2. If the fork is not designed for use with a star nut, get a new fork.

[Wunder]

Originally Posted by Dude

1. Some carbon forks were designed to use star nuts. Before you go down this path make sure you actually need to do this.

2. If the fork is not designed for use with a star nut, get a new fork.

Agreed, some carbon forks such as 3T or Cervelo have a alloy insert and are designed around a star nut. Although mine fell out when I had the steerer cut and I now use a compression plug.

[bikinchris]

Originally Posted by Dude

1. Some carbon forks were designed to use star nuts. Before you go down this path make sure you actually need to do this.

2. If the fork is not designed for use with a star nut, get a new fork.

THIS is the correct answer.

[macaroon]

You could ride it as is.
I don't think the location of the star nut will compromise the strength of the steerer. However, fork manufacturers usually suggest that a long compression plug is used so the steerer is not crushed when the stem bolts are tightened.
I'd probably remove it and then use a compression plug.
Removal would depend on which tools are available to you.
The least risky method might be a set of needle files. They should be small enough to fit down the centre hole. You could then file a slot in the thread portion, and another slot directly opposite. Then tap it with a hammer/screwdriver, and it might release it. I have not tried this, but in my imagination it would work, and is not very risky.

[GregL]

This has been covered in multiple threads over the years. I once removed a star nut from a Cannondale carbon fork (which was approved for their specific star nut). The previous owner had pushed the star nut down into the steerer tube and used a compression plug instead. Before building up the bike, I decided to remove the star nut and carefully inspect the steerer tube.

I secured the fork so that it could not move, then drilled out the star nut very carefully. The key was to NOT have the drill bit become stuck, spinning the star nut and ruining the fork. I started with a drill bit that was just slightly larger in diameter than the threaded center hole in the star nut. I then used progressively larger drill bits until the star nut fell apart. The process was quick, easy, and effective. The fork served me well for years to come.

Greg

[cmb5286]

Originally Posted by GregL

This has been covered in multiple threads over the years. I once removed a star nut from a Cannondale carbon fork (which was approved for their specific star nut). The previous owner had pushed the star nut down into the steerer tube and used a compression plug instead. Before building up the bike, I decided to remove the star nut and carefully inspect the steerer tube.

I secured the fork so that it could not move, then drilled out the star nut very carefully. The key was to NOT have the drill bit become stuck, spinning the star nut and ruining the fork. I started with a drill bit that was just slightly larger in diameter than the threaded center hole in the star nut. I then used progressively larger drill bits until the star nut fell apart. The process was quick, easy, and effective. The fork served me well for years to come.

Greg

I think the key here is not to have the star nut spin. Trying to think of a way to ensure this.

[charliedid]

Star Nut Conundrum sounds like an obscure 70' prog rock band

[MikeD]

Has anyone actually had a star nut spin, or are we just theorizing here? Is the center threaded portion aluminum or steel?

[AngryScientist]

I would first confirm that the star nut is not an approved solution based on the fork mfg, if not, I'd just push it further down and use a compression plug above it.

That steerer tube looks beefy and in good shape. All these cries to get a new fork are overboard IMO. It's easy to spend someone else's money though, I guess.

[nicrump]

I'm happy to be corrected but I've never, since seeing my first carbon steerer(30 plus years ago) seen a carbon fork with a carbon steerer that DOES NOT have an internal metal sleeve bonded spec'd with a old fashioned start nut.

Having said that, the steerer ID does look very clean, I'd push it down, only as far as needed to clear the compression plug as they often decrease in ID towards the bottom.

[Dude]

Originally Posted by nicrump

I'm happy to be corrected but I've never, since seeing my first carbon steerer(30 plus years ago) seen a carbon fork with a carbon steerer that DOES NOT have an internal metal sleeve bonded spec'd with a old fashioned start nut.

Cannondale, around early to mid 200s had a few forks that were carbon steerer, star nut and no sleeve. I worked at a shop, saw a bike come in like that, called Cannondale and they said “it’s supposed to be like that.” I was really surprised.

That’s the only one I’ve heard of.

[wooger]

Originally Posted by cmb5286

I recently picked up a used frameset and discovered that the owner used a star nut instead of a compression plug in the fork steerer. Does anyone here experience with removing one? I’ve read all sorts of ways to remove it.

So far drilling out the center and letting the nut collapse in on itself is my most feasible option. I don’t want to hammer it further down into the steerer. There’s no apparent cracks in the steerer.

And it's a carbon steerer right?

Photos please.

I'd not want to ride any carbon steerer fork that's been ridden without a compression plug, ever.

[cmb5286]

Originally Posted by wooger

And it's a carbon steerer right?

Photos please.

I'd not want to ride any carbon steerer fork that's been ridden without a compression plug, ever.