Aheadset/Fork help! I messed up

[Gompo]

Recently bought a 2nd hand bike, and the Aheadset was loose. Being away from bikes for a while I have managed to mess it up. I now know what the initial problem was, but I have now done this:



:-( D'oh! I basically over-tightened the allen key head bolt/star nut type thing, and it has pulled out the threads of the bit inside the steerer tube of the fork.

So I dont know how to get this out?? Nor the name of it/what it is that i need to do/buy to replace it? I can find an allen key socket (I think) if i go through the enlarged hole I've now made, but tightening it/loosening it doesnt seem to do anything..

Please dont tell me I need a new set of forks!

Cheers, Greg

Editted to add:

Done a quick bit of digging, and can see that you can buy the star shaped thing i've buggered with a top cap quite cheaply I think? Would something like this work?: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...

IF that is all I need, how do I get the old one out and fit the new one?

Thanks.

Edited by Gompo on Saturday 5th January 11:58

[pastrana72]

you do not need to buy new forks, you can get that star fangled washer out,

two options, get a LBS to do it

or

clamp the forks in a vice with soft jaws (as not to damage the forks, but hold them steady) get some goggles or glasses to protect your eyes,

then you can with an old large screw driver and a hammer bash and break the thing out carefully from the top down,

when it is out (in pieces) throw it away and fit a new one
Do not injure yourself,
Good luuck

if you not keen to try this, a good local bike shop will have the tools and knowhow to do this, and can then fit a new one for a reasonable cost.

[Gompo]

Hi, thanks for the reply.

I think I am confident to bash it out..

How do I fit the new one? Does it slide up from the bottom of the forks? Looks as though there is a ring/ridge inside the steerer tube holding the old one in.. so if I get it in from the top it will stop it going down far enough?

Sorry for the lack of technical terms, it's been a while since I've done much with bikes.

Cheers.

[sjg]

You don't even need to bash the old one out, just get it down out of the way enough to fit a new one.

You can fit them without special tools but it's easy to make mistakes on. Really you need one of the tools that can screw into the star-fangled nut and help you drive it in straight and to the right depth, eg:

http://www.parktool.com/products/detail.asp?cat=50...

Or just take it to a decent bike shop, I wouldn't expect it to be any more than a tenner including the new SFN.

[mat205125]

Possible to do at home, but the hassle would be far greater than what your local shop would charge you. Be lazy, open the wallet, and get it done by a pro that you can whinge at when it goes wrong.

[Gompo]

Hi..

Thanks for all the input - yes I've decided to leave it to a bike shop. Unfortunately my local one doesnt have the parts in stock and probably wont be able to do it until next weekend! Oh well.

Cheers again.

[sjg]

Doesn't have the parts in stock? Very poor IMO. Every time I've needed a star-fangled nut I've been able to just walk in and get one, it should be a standard thing for shops to have.

[Gompo]

A bit odd isnt it?

Shop is a bit weird to be honest, I have only just moved to the area so I dont really know my way around (which is partly why I got the bike!) so I guess there might be another one close-ish I dont know about. Said shop is pretty big and seems to specialise in snowboarding, with just a few bikes scattered about although there is a bike workshop area.

Anyway, hopefully will be sorted by next weekend..

Cheers.

Just had a quick look online and found their website http://www.finches-ski.co.uk/index.htm

[snotrag]

Find yourself a proper bike shop - a good one should be able to rustle you up a star nut in under 5 seconds.

But - as for your original problem....

You shouldnt ever have to apply more than finger strength to the star nut.

Remember - the star nut assembly is not what holds the forks on. It is used purely to preload the bearings enough to give a nice smooth turn. If your headset is loose or wobbly, then the best bet is to strip it down and give it a good clean.

If your having to swing on the star nut bolt, something is wrong elsewhere. Stop, and find it. Once the headset is set up correctly, you should be able to remove the star nut and top cap completely and not affect the operation.

The only reason to keep it on is is offers a little safety benefit in case one of your stem bolts falls out.

[Gompo]

snotrag said:

Find yourself a proper bike shop - a good one should be able to rustle you up a star nut in under 5 seconds.

But - as for your original problem....

You shouldnt ever have to apply more than finger strength to the star nut.

Remember - the star nut assembly is not what holds the forks on. It is used purely to preload the bearings enough to give a nice smooth turn. If your headset is loose or wobbly, then the best bet is to strip it down and give it a good clean.

If your having to swing on the star nut bolt, something is wrong elsewhere. Stop, and find it. Once the headset is set up correctly, you should be able to remove the star nut and top cap completely and not affect the operation.

The only reason to keep it on is is offers a little safety benefit in case one of your stem bolts falls out.

I know this now, as I said in my first post I know what I did wrong/why it happened. But fair enough for posting, might help somebody else out.

[sjg]

If you don't mind popping over a mile or two to Brixton, Brixton Cycles (next to Stockwell Skatepark, just down the road from the Academy) are very good.

[Gompo]

Thanks for that, I work in Clapham so might be able to get over there in the week.

Cheers, Greg.

[mk1fan]

Brixton Cycles are very helpful but terrible at getting parts in.