installing star nut

[Nobody]

...and if it's so weak it can't statically support 1/4 of a ~100 kg car, it's not raceworthy.

What kind of a car weighs ~100Kg? Many engines weigh more than that alone.

[twizzle]

...and if it's so weak it can't statically support 1/4 of a ~100 kg car, it's not raceworthy.

What kind of a car weighs ~100Kg? Many engines weigh more than that alone.

Formula SAE.


Jules21 - fair call, I guess, but I can also understand the panic caused by doing something that it *should* be capable of surviving... but might not.

[jules21]

actually i just made up the 100 kg, apparently they're more like 200+. that's still pretty light.

[Mulger bill]

Bit of thread resurrection here...

youtube says to source a threaded rod and use that to pull the nut down, from underneath the steerer. that sounds good - any ideas where i would get a threaded rod? it would have to be really thin (can't engage the nut thread).

I did this today, M6 threaded rod sourced from the local bolt supplier, (Bunnings does no smaller than M8). A nyloc nut at the lower end and an old top cap in the bottom of the steerer to centre it and provide a bearing surface to pull against.

WINNER, dead straight all the way in less than a minute and no smashed thumbnails

[jacks1071]

You can get the propper tool for like $20 and do a perfect job over and over again, nothing like having the right tool for the job

[petal665]

I have the proper tool. These other methods are rubbish compared to doing it properly.

[twizzle]

Actually, the threaded rod might do a better job, if the fork has a hole and a flat spot at the bottom. I used the 'proper tool' on my Ribble build earlier this year, but one of the tabs on the bottom star of the nut (double-star) collapsed as it was going in and despite being fully inserted it was on an angle. During the dummy build, the bolt seized in the nut as it was tightened and I ended up with a bolt that would just spin without coming out. I had to drill holes through the top cap and dremel it all apart before driving the remains down the steerer and putting another star nut in. Hours Of Fun! NOT!

There was just a little bit of free play in the tool which allowed it to get slightly cocked to start with, at least with the threaded rod you can see what is going on.

[Mulger bill]

I have the proper tool. These other methods are rubbish compared to doing it properly.

Goodonyer. Have you tried the other methods which you decry?

[Crittski]

I have tried bashing it in with whatever I had around the garage, and also with the right tool, and it is soooo much easier with the right tool - three taps, and it was in straight, with no hassles at all...

[petal665]

I have the proper tool. These other methods are rubbish compared to doing it properly.

Goodonyer. Have you tried the other methods which you decry?

Yes I have and as above it is a 20 second job that works right every time with the proper tool.