Installing a star nut on into a 1 1/8 stearer

[Sittingduck]

Hi

As the title suggests, can anybody give me any easy tips to install the star nut without the need for buying a costly nut setting tool?

Cheers
SD

 

[Christopher]

I put the long bolt into the nut and tapped it in with a light hammer, checking many times for drift. It ended up pretty straight and no problems so far with it, I had more problems squaring off the steerer tube after cutting it. My forks have a steel steerer though so quite easy to work with.

 

[Steve Austin]

You need a bolt and an old socket. screw the bolt through the socket into the star nut. insert starnut and tap socket gently with hammer. if it goes wonky, STOP!
If you are careful and tap it gently and evenly on both sides of the socket or squarely it will go in fine.
I've done it like this for years

 

[jpembroke]

I have a long screwdriver for this job. I push the blade of the screwdriver through the hole in the star nut (it's a narrow blade) right up to the hilt. Then I tap it in with a rubber mallet. Works really well.

 

[bonj2]

SFNs are fine but aren't the only way. Can use a hop hed doctor/bung type thing.
none of my bikes have SFNs.

 

[Sittingduck]

Thanks for the tips fellas. Probably give the socket / bolt method a crack (not literally of course )

 

[e-rider]

+1 for expander plugs - gave up using SFN ages ago.

 

[Landslide]

Just fitted the SFN that came with a Chorus headset - it comes with its own built-in guide. Most useful!

 

[02GF74]

you cannot use them on carbon fibre steerer!!

also go slowly beacuse once you have gone too far, it is not possible to push them back up and they dig into the stem - part of the design.