Cycling UK Forum

Ok that’s great many thanks, never done that before so thankyou


I'm a trendy consumer. Just look at my iPad using hovercraft full of eels.

I have removed them by drilling out the centre then picking what is left with a long nose pliers.

Fitting is easy with a longish bolt and a hammer or mallet.

You want the Park Tool TNS-4.
Bodge it if you want but the proper tool drives it in square and to the correct depth.

philvantwo wrote:You want the Park Tool TNS-4.
Bodge it if you want but the proper tool drives it in square and to the correct depth.

That’s the setter I have, it’s a very neat bit of kit.

Yes, no faffing about with it. Perfect everytime!

Willieg wrote:Hi guys what’s the easiest way to remove one of these star expanders, any help appreciated


I'm a trendy consumer. Just look at my wobbly bog brush using hovercraft full of eels

It's easier on a steel forks steerer.
You'll have to push the star nut on one side only, to make it flip sideways.
Most often is easier to drill the inner core, relatively easy with an 8mm drill bit, so the whole thing falls apart then you can push the "wings" sideways and prise them out with good pliers.
just make sure you don't gouge the inner of the forks.
On a steel fork steerer you can even "pull" the bung out, with a long M6 bolt and a stack of spacers above the stem. Make sure you grease the head and the thread of the bolt, use a strong compression cap with a thin washer under the bolt head. Very often you can pull the bung out.

Gattonero wrote:

Willieg wrote:Hi guys what’s the easiest way to remove one of these star expanders, any help appreciated


I'm a trendy consumer. Just look at my wobbly bog brush using hovercraft full of eels

It's easier on a steel forks steerer.
You'll have to push the star nut on one side only, to make it flip sideways.
Most often is easier to drill the inner core, relatively easy with an 8mm drill bit, so the whole thing falls apart then you can push the "wings" sideways and prise them out with good pliers.
just make sure you don't gouge the inner of the forks.
On a steel fork steerer you can even "pull" the bung out, with a long M6 bolt and a stack of spacers above the stem. Make sure you grease the head and the thread of the bolt, use a strong compression cap with a thin washer under the bolt head. Very often you can pull the bung out.

THIS!
No stress-raisers down the bottom of an ali fork steerer, please.
You can get the awful things out if you grind up a bit of steel rod so you can get in from the crown end and get your shaped rod in between the bung and the steerer, and bend the individual "petals" . Its an awful messy job, just like they are awful things, but at least the scoring up is at the top of the steerer.