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Steerer Tube Star Nut Problem

sirichmondsirichmond Posts: 250
edited April 2010 in MTB workshop & tech
Took my headset apart for a clean yesterday. Once putting back together I noticed the srat nut in the top of the steerer tube had become corroded after this winters riding. I screwed the top cap into it and the thread in the star nut has come away from on side. It still holds the bolt tight. obvoiusly I need to replace it bit would it be Ok to ride still as I have a new headset coming this month.
http://www.allthegearnoidea.net

Yorkshire & North East MTB

Posts

  • stu8975stu8975 Posts: 1,334
    Well headsets don't normally come with new star nuts so you would have to buy one anyway (unless your new states it is)..and for the sake of a couple of £s.
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  • nicklousenicklouse Posts: 50,675 Lives Here
    all it does is allows the headset to be preloaded.

    once the stem has been tightened you could just remove the top cap and ride the bike.

    So if you can set the headset. you will be fine.
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  • sirichmondsirichmond Posts: 250
    nicklouse, that was my thinking. It will wait a week until I service it then.

    Cheers
    http://www.allthegearnoidea.net

    Yorkshire & North East MTB
  • sirichmondsirichmond Posts: 250
    Just about to order my new Hope Headset and noticed this thing called a Hope Hed Doctor which replaces your star nut. Also looks like it will make the top of the steerer tube more water tight, therefore less corrosion
    http://www.allthegearnoidea.net

    Yorkshire & North East MTB
  • .blitz.blitz Posts: 6,197
    The Hed Doctor is a great piece of kit. It can be removed if you're swapping the forks and IMO is a much better solution than hammering a star nut into your expensive steerer. The bolt is stupid light and can be stripped without too much difficulty* but as said above it's only used to preload the headset, it's not like its holding the forks in place.

    * so I'm told
  • bomberesquebomberesque Posts: 1,701
    I agree with .Blitz, but we're in a pretty significant minority I think.....

    when you say corrosion; is the starnut or the steerer corroded .... is it an alu steerer?
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  • supersonicsupersonic Posts: 82,708 Lives Here
    I have seen Hed Doctors welded to steerers - be careful.

    Star nut everytime for me.
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  • .blitz.blitz Posts: 6,197
    supersonic wrote:
    I have seen Hed Doctors welded to steerers - be careful.
    :shock: How did that happen?
  • supersonicsupersonic Posts: 82,708 Lives Here
    Different materials, dry welding.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • sirichmondsirichmond Posts: 250
    Yeah it was the star nut, plenty of wet sand had got onto it and done the damage, steerer fine. Hopefully I wont end up with the hed doctor welded into my nice Fox Forks, ordered now.
    http://www.allthegearnoidea.net

    Yorkshire & North East MTB
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