starnut coming out of aluminium steerer

[coconutmilk]

My headset comes loose after every two rides when the starnut slowly gets pulled out of the Echo Urban aluminum steerer tube. Torquing the stem pinch bolts down further has little effect on keeping the starnut in place.

Anyone run a headlock in the aluminum steerer?

http://www.pricepoint.com/images/styleImages/D_205%20SETHL7.jpg
http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/16261-205_SETHL7-3-Parts-63-Headsets/Sette-RS-D230-Headlock.htm

[uownme]

is the starnut actually backing out? Never even heard of that.


You do have enough spacers on the steerer tube to actually tighten it down, right? I know its a dumb question but sometimes that one extra spacer makes all the dif.

I hope you aren't running a crappy headset that uses those ring bearings. They will never stay tight.

[[BMF] Chris]

wrong sized star nut?

[justtysen]

Are you sure that the star nut is actually backing out? Once you tighten the stem bolts, the star nut shouldn't experience any extra stress from riding. If your headset really is loosening because of lack of preload than the stem must be slipping up the steerer tube. This seems doubtful, but if it is happening a stem locker isn't designed to take that kind of force.

Is the stem mounted fully or almost fully on the steerer tube? If you hold the front wheel between your legs and twist the handlebars forcefully does the stem move? If it does you might try degreasing the steerer tube and stem clamping surface and check the torque again. If it doesn't move you should mark the steerer tube at the top of the stem, or bottom if need be, and see if the stem actually moved after riding.

My guess is that the headset is coming loose despite the proper preload from the stem and star nut. This could be because of an issue with a compression ring or something.

Are you able to post pictures? Otherwise your best bet might be to take it to a decent shop.

[mx_599]

My headset comes loose after every two rides when the starnut slowly gets pulled out of the Echo Urban aluminum steerer tube. Torquing the stem pinch bolts down further has little effect on keeping the starnut in place.

Anyone run a headlock in the aluminum steerer?

http://www.pricepoint.com/images/styleImages/D_205%20SETHL7.jpg
http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/16261-205_SETHL7-3-Parts-63-Headsets/Sette-RS-D230-Headlock.htm
yes, i use them on a couple bikes. they work great. they are not trials bikes though.

mx

[coconutmilk]

The stem is fully clamping on the steerer. I have a 1/4" spacer on top of the stem. I had to punch down the starnut recently because it worked its way to the top of the steerer tube.

The starnut looks to be the standard 1 1/8" version that fits a steel steerer tube. It looks to be bending more than it should because the inside diameter of the aluminum steerer is smaller.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii306/coconutmilk2/IMG_1359.jpg

[stocktrials]

hmm.
everything looks to be in order.

I've had this happen before, the easiest solution was to bash/smash the old one and put a new star nut in.

[johnny1990]

try to get a 1" steerer star flange nut, I just replaced mine yeterday because it did the same thing.

[tubender]

make sure your steerer isn't pulling out of the crown.

[stpatr3k]

make sure your steerer isn't pulling out of the crown.

Oh yes, there was a thread here before, the guy thought it was the star nut turns out the steerer was being pulled out of the fork. Who was that?

[Edge]

try taking a dremel and make the inside of the steerer tube a little rough. It'll give the star nut something to grab a hold of instead of a smooth surface.

[carnagr]

Very easy solution: new star nut. This has happened to me a couple times before. Toss a new one in, should be good as new. You can usually, if it's that bad, just pull the old one out with the top cap of the headset too.

[goose]

i had the same problem and now i use a headlock. Mine backed quite a way out over a few months, and chewed the top of the steer tube a bit. I blame the shop that put it in. Headlock is kinda $$$ at ~20bucks, but you can take them from bike to bike, so no worries.

[johnny1990]

i had the same problem and now i use a headlock. Mine backed quite a way out over a few months, and chewed the top of the steer tube a bit. I blame the shop that put it in. Headlock is kinda $$$ at ~20bucks, but you can take them from bike to bike, so no worries.

I personly wouldn't call then pricey, i would call it weighty though if you could get away with a star flanged nut although it is peace of mind.

[Peace]

weld it in there.... :)

seriously, just chuck another in there.

[mhoulmont]

try to get a 1" steerer star flange nut, I just replaced mine yeterday because it did the same thing.
.

The tabs on your current star nut are at too steep of an angle to hold very securely. Putting in a star nut for a 1" should fix your problem.

[justtysen]

I learned something new from this thread. :bigthumb:

[Dekes]

aren't deng forks with thick alu steerers sold standard with a matching 1" starnut?