remove star nut

rapid_uphill

just a quick question: is it easy to remove a star nut from alloy steerer?
and do i need any special tools?

thanks

supersonic

You can punch it through the bottom of the steerer from the top, but if the steerer is tapered it will get stuck.

Easiest way to remove is to drill the centre bit out, then all the fins just fall out.

Why do you need to do this anyway?

nicklouse

Knocking it out can also put stress risers down the steerer causing possible failure areas.

there are two ways to remove it. Drillit out and use longnose pliers to remove the bits.

Or use a starnut extraction tool.

why do you want to remove it any way?

rapid_uphill

theyr cr@p thats why i want to remove one.

Vivid

rapid_uphill wrote:

theyr cr@p thats why i want to remove one.

?? Please explain.

justresting

if star nuts are cr@p what are you going to replace it with ?

supersonic

Starnuts do the job perfectly.

stumpyjon

Managed to snap the alloy bolt off in mine (crud in the threads and I kept unscrewing, gave me a excuse to order some bits from Tastybolts though ).

What are you going to replace it with? A head doctor thingy? Can't see why they're crap, they're only there so you can preload the headset bearings. What bad experience have you had with the star nut, haven't had any problems personally (except the aforementionned stupidity which was my own fault).

supersonic

Agree 100%, Hed Doctors are rubbish.