Rounded cap screw on headset...

leftknee
leftknee Posts: 7
edited August 2009 in MTB workshop & tech
Hi. I wonder if anyone has any advice... I'm trying to disassemble my headset and the cap screw has been rounded off. Is there any way to get this thing out? The only thing I can think of is to drill it out somehow. Any advice is greatly appreciated, thanks.

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    try a big torx bit or yes drill the head off.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • leftknee
    leftknee Posts: 7
    Thanks nicklouse. I just tried a torx but it didn't work. Stupidly, the cap and bolt are one piece and worse, they're aluminium. Off to find the drill...
  • Northwind
    Northwind Posts: 14,675
    If the cap and bolt are one piece (odd that), can you get a set of mole grips on the cap and rotate the whole thing? Another option might be to grind a slot across the top for a screwdriver.
    Uncompromising extremist
  • pte1643
    pte1643 Posts: 518
    Tap it round (undo) with a pin hammer and a Dot Punch.

    If the bolt is Ali, it should drill out easy enough though. Nice and slowly does it.
  • leftknee
    leftknee Posts: 7
    thanks all for the advice. i encountered a few problems because the cap is a dome shape (not cylindrical) so it tapers to a sharpish edge where it meets the top face of the stem - it was difficult to get anything under it or to bite into it. i ended up drilling it out and, after a little persuation from my hacksaw, it's gone! there is a bit of superficial damage to the stem but nothing serious.

    all this was done because i'm stripping down my frame (also aluminium) to get it welded. not too sure if it'll work but i can't ride it cracked as it is now. but i guess that's another story...

    thanks again for your help.
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    can you provide pictures as what I am reading does not compute :wink:
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • leftknee
    leftknee Posts: 7
    i haven't got any pictures but i'll try and explain... the steerer tube doesn't have a star nut but a wedge-thingy instead. this has a shoulder which fits onto the top face of the steerer tube. after some spacers and the stem slide on there was an aluminium cap/bolt (all one piece) with a ~15mm thread which engages in the top of the wedge piece. i'm not sure if this all makes sense!

    i think when i re-assemble i'll just buy a star nut and put that in, then use a conventional cap and bolt.

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