Fork tightening

apple eater
apple eater Posts: 302
edited April 2012 in MTB workshop & tech
I'm getting there!

Final isue is when tightening the forks only just abov hand tight they go really stiff.

I lost my cool and smashed the star nut in the stem out. I nipped over to halfords and have bought another.

Now i have thee questions

1. Which way in do put the star nut? Is it from the top of the forks down or from the bottom up?

2. Which way up doesthe nut go in? is it with the fronds pointing down or with the fronds facing upwards?

3. Why would the forks stiffen up so much with such little torque on the nut in the stem?

They are not bent or dirty and the bearings move fine.
I don't know enough to make smart r's remarks about peoples choice of parts 'n' things, yet!

Comments

  • 1mancity2
    1mancity2 Posts: 2,355
    1. starnut fits from top of forks, set around 10mm down the steerer tube
    2.starnut goes, so the prongs point up the tube.
    3.poorly seated bearings/crown race/cups or headset is assembled incorrectly.
    Finished, Check out my custom Giant Reign 2010
    Dirt Jumper Dmr Sidekick2
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    Read Parktools.

    You did change fit the crown race that came with the new headset?
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • apple eater
    apple eater Posts: 302
    My post is a little lacking regarding the stiffness.

    The bike is 100% standard and original. It is in near unused condition and kept indoors at all times.

    However the comment on the location of the starnut is interesting as it was definitely deeper than 10 mm in the tube. I'm thinking it was too deep and pressing out the tube into the bearing cases?
    I don't know enough to make smart r's remarks about peoples choice of parts 'n' things, yet!
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    Not sure what you mean by 'pressing out of the tube' but a bit deeper makes no difference as long as the top cap bolt reaches it.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • apple eater
    apple eater Posts: 302
    By pressing out of the tube i mean that the star nut was putting direct pressure on the tube in contact with the bearings or near and as such maybe a bit of metal stretch causing the tight fitting?
    I don't know enough to make smart r's remarks about peoples choice of parts 'n' things, yet!
  • 386ka
    386ka Posts: 479
    By pressing out of the tube i mean that the star nut was putting direct pressure on the tube in contact with the bearings or near and as such maybe a bit of metal stretch causing the tight fitting?
    Definitely that is not the case.
    A much loved, Giant Trance X3 2010
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    Star nut position makes no deference as long as the top cap does not bottom out on it and the bolt reaches it.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    If you are saying what I think you are saying - no. There is no way a star nut can 'stretch' a steerer tube.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    You don't need the top cap very tight, just enough to take the play out of the system. It's the stem that holds everything together. Once that's tightened you could take the top cap off and starnut out. It's redundant.
    Although you wouldn't as you'll need them again.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • chez_m356
    chez_m356 Posts: 1,893
    Why would the forks stiffen up so much with such little torque on the nut in the stem?
    by hand tight, i hope you don't mean as tight as you can do it by hand, you only need between 1 and 2N of torque, which isn't much more than finger tight, never mind hand tight
    Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc 10- CANYON Nerve AM 6 2011