Fit A Star Nut | MTB Maintenance

Star nuts in mountain bike forks rarely need replacing. But when they do, the job is super simple! Here's how to remove and replace a star nut with the Don!
Subscribe to GMBN: gmbn.eu/subscribe
Get exclusive GMBN gear in the GMBN store! gmbn.eu/shopgmbn
Sign up to the GMBN newsletter: gmbn.eu/email
Maintenance Monday helps you with all the problems you have to over come to keep your bike in tip top shape. Here Neil shows you how and why you change the star nut in your forks.
Watch more on GMBN...
▶︎ EWS Tech gmbn.eu/ewstech2
▶︎ #ASKGMBN gmbn.eu/askoldornew
Click here to buy GMBN T-shirts, hoodies and more: gmbn.eu/gmbnshop
The Global Mountain Bike Network is the best MTB KZbin channel, with videos for everyone who loves dirt: from the full-faced helmet downhill mountain biker to the lycra-clad cross country rider along with everyone and anyone in between.
With the help of our pro and ex-pro riding team we’re here to inform, entertain and inspire you to become a better mountain biker, including videos on:
- How to ride faster with expert knowledge
- Fix everything with pro know-how
- Ride anything with world-cup winning skills
- Dial in your bike with bike set-up advice
- In-depth entertaining features
- Chat, opinion and interact with us on the Dirt Shed Show
Welcome to the Global Mountain Bike Network | Covering Every Angle
Thanks to our sponsors:
Canyon bikes: gmbn.eu/Canyon
SCOTT bikes: gmbn.eu/SCOTTbikes
Crank Brothers: gmbn.eu/crankbros
GT bikes: gmbn.eu/gtbikes
Ass Savers: gmbn.eu/asssavers
Smith Optics: gmbn.eu/smith
KZbin Channel - gmbn.eu/GMBNsubs
Facebook - gmbn.eu/GMBNFB
Google+ - gmbn.eu/GMBNGplus
Twitter - gmbn.eu/GMBNTW
Instagram - gmbn.eu/GMBNIG
GMBN Shop - gmbn.eu/gmbnshop
GMBN newsletter - gmbn.eu/email
Leave us a comment below!

[@Ewan.f15]

Step 1. Bash fuck out it Step 2. Bash fuck out it some more Repeat steps one and two a couple more times Step3. Shout and throw some tools about when these steps prove to be unsuccessful

[@iiskool1]

when I replaced mine without the proper tools i put a screw driver down where to bolt would go then hit the top of the screw driver with a hammer gentle for both installing and removing it, worked really well.

[@miktara4019]

Great video as always. This star nut construction feels extraordinarily shoddy, it's amazing it actually works on millions of bikes.

[@axiomic]

the star nut is not weight bearing, its only use is to remove movement before clamping the stem onto the steerer tube.

[@robinvangroot]

@@axiomic Cheers for that explanation, a light bulb and ah hah moment for me

[@carlporter2635]

Best thing I've found for star nuts to set them in is a 10mm deep each socket. perfect fit on the inside of the leaves and goes on nice and straight.

[@mandoky1647]

I use a piece of brass round stock. Then you don't destroy anything.

[@ScoutJoe]

this is probably the toughest thing to do when I was upgrading my bike I broke two star nuts before I gave up and bring it to the bike shop

[@reggin_spelt_backwards]

I got it right on the first try.....

[@Weltbummler23]

Thanks! Just had a bike shop try to sell me the tool to do this, didnt need it. Your method or the socket others mentioned works fine.

[@jonnjoe2]

keeping the top cap on with the bolt gets a nice true alignment

[@PARAF.19]

Całkiem niedawno przerabiałem ten temat. TEŻ bez właściwego narzędzia ;) Moją nową "szyszkę" wbiłem przy użyciu młotka i nasadki (na grzechotkę) 10 mm. Działa!!

[@shadow7423]

THANK YOU!! This will help me so much as I will be installing a new fork. And I don't have the special tool for the star nut.

[@Sparvar1]

Love the bodge job, I am not buying a new tool for someone I am only going to do every few years, thanks so much!!

[@frissenm]

I've always used a screwdriver that has a slightly narrower handle than the fork top and fits through the star nut.

[@vidjagameenjoyer]

+Marco Frissen Or he could have used that punch he used to remove the first star nut.

[@thebeezneez1000]

Yes screwdriver was perfect, because then you can also still redirect it if it starts going in off center. Thank you!

[@WatchJapan]

This... every time.

[@Bunnyisms]

There is a rivet that attaches the two stars of the star nut. If you use a drill bit to remove the rolled-over part of the rivet that holds on the top star (it's really not that hard-I did it by hand), you can tap the other star with a screw driver so that it flips sideways. When the stars flip sideways you can just turn the fork upside down and the two stars will fall out of the steerer tube. This takes just a few minutes and can be helpful if you have a fork that doesn't have a steerer tube that is open on the bottom. Once the stars flip sideways, they no longer hold onto the insides of the steerer tube and fall out quite loosely.

[@feelfreemtb3474]

Thanks man for this video. I wondered how to put a new one in after shortening my forkpost.

[@miguelcpt]

Good tutorial. I followed it and it worked well for me.

[@bernovanderwal]

Thanks! Always the right video’s here!

[@israelpareja3491]

Just installed one right now. Tysm :D

[@Rankildinho]

Cheers for that Neill. I was cleaning the grime and re-greasing my headset and when tightening, I damaged the star nut. Thought I might have to leave it in to the local bike shop to fix, but after 30 minutes of trying to find what the part was actually called, I have now found your video in a minute. So it's £1.99 for a new star nut instead of paying £30 for someone else to do it. Think I'll put the savings towards a torque set lol, keep 'er lit 👍

[@ThisGuyRides]

I've been using a socket just big enough to fit inside the steerer tube.

[@DD-sn4iz]

sounds brilliant

[@adam6681]

Nice. A big socket extension is even better

[@michaelmikic]

Thanks for the tip.

[@ChrisJoyeMusic]

Perfect tutorial thanks!

[@JoeKugelhagel]

Thank you very much. Helped me a lot.

[@arronjulesgallardo1923]

Thank you for this video, I just recently insert my star nut

[@user-jm5tf9nn4d]

Thank you so much this really helped!! 🙏🙏🙏

[@ingeruitat1]

Thank a lot man. You're method works perfect on my fork to!! Greetings!!!

[@pawsfight6741]

True

[@MrObligated80]

Thanks!!! Im trying to lowered as my thai project mtb and i dont have enough cash to the right tool thanks finding one of these vids if its safe or not

[@samuelmurphy6863]

29 and 27 years of cycling and never needed to do this until today. Really easy if anyone would screw it up it would be me 🤣

[@joblickhan6470]

You can also use a screwdriver, fit it trought the hole and bang on top of it, if its the right handle size it should get the star centered. At least I managed to do it like that when I installed my fork a fee months back.

[@matthewvconnolly]

genius, made my day thank you!

[@MoreArtix]

Awesome! Now the head of the compression bolt broke off and the threads are now stuck in my forks :)

[@calyfornykid]

Great video.

[@jackman196q1]

Neil I do it with to top cap on and it levels on by it self on to last taps

[@r.davies2702]

Thanks, I've always got a hammer to hand. Just wondered how far in to hit it.

[@pauliebass85]

Hey! Great video. Is scratching inside the steerer normal?

[@caliniosif5129]

Lately i was looking into buying a MTB but I have a pretty low budget. I was looking into the rockmachine surge 70. please give your recomandations

[@davidreisenbichler7417]

it's really a lot easier if you put it in just a little bit, then you take out the bolt and put on the stem and top cap like you normally would. then you screw the bolt back in through the top cap but not entirely. when you then hammer it down it evens out automatically. just use an old stem and top cap if you're afraid to damage it.

[@Sandstorm69]

??

[@sepg5084]

Thanks!

[@MasterTricking]

@@Sandstorm69 !!

[@fuhcough]

Nice one 👍🏻

[@consolehacker54]

I use a socket that just fits down in the steerer tube, works perfect and the star nut goes in straight

[@kevinlong3356]

Can you please do a video on saddle selection?

[@joaodoege3111]

Thank you, saved me $20 , just subscribed,

[@rowdy7152]

tried hammering in the new star nut with the bolt in. couldn't get it straight. screw driver thru the star nut works a treat.

[@jamescarrick10]

I used a bit of old alcathean pipe and a big hammer worked well

[@Anders110DK]

Simple, useful and to the point. Lovely!

[@jake30966]

Have you any videos on replacing bottom crown steerer on triple clamp forks ?

[@krishnansrinivasan830]

Awesome & Thanks :)

[@darylxxxdarylxxx396]

tnx bro for help

[@fluffy1973]

Hehehe I had to do this today and it was an interesting experience...

[@javorgeorgiev6130]

I managed to destroy my star nut by overtightening the top cap. I'm taking my bike to a mechanic ASAP to have it fixed. Thanks for letting me know the world is not over and it can be fixed. I care far too much about my bike and riding it every day. Almost had a panic attack there.

[@gmbn]

Nice! Easy fix and easy to get freaked out about it! And next time don't tighten your headset so tight, only needs a little turn to get everything compressed enough

[@avava_Ilovewisdom]

Hi; how do i remove my stuck top screw on the star nut.?

[@jaytam1]

that electronic torque ranch is neat. Does it mean it has the same strain gauge inside like a power meter?

[@bgstemcd]

Use the top cap off a stem screw it in with a bolt underneath or some kind of spacer. Hammer till flat all sides. Easy and guaranteed square

[@drfish5393]

Set the nut and bolt on top of the tube and grip the bolt head with a pair of pliers. Hit the pliers rather than the nut and every couple of taps reseat the pliers. Works every time no fuss.

[@albertocastillo4572]

If the proper tools is not available I use and old stem, cap and the screw to keep the star nut straight, safer than the free hand method.

[@kewlztertc5386]

To keep it straight, Just put a metal washer that's a similar diameter to the tube and two nuts to hold it in place on the headset bolt.

[@chamman9785]

How I used to do it 20 years ago is I went to a metal fabricating place and got a threaded pole about a foot long or whatever, the guy didnt even charge me for it, you need the threaded pole plus a nut and a washer wide enough to not go through the steerer tube, put the threaded pole through the tube, star nut screwed on top bit, nut and washer screwed on the bottom bit, tighten to bring the star nut down and through the inside, can also use that method to remove one but it takes a while, screwing the same threaded pole into the top of the old star nut and tapping with a hammer was quick and easy.

[@gicking3898]

Thanks , good video. Even I understood it ( I'm pretty mechanically incompetent(

[@dreimatbagan6056]

thank u sir...

[@padyakhero3629]

Can you make a video how to service fork your own fork like a diy??

[@jaytothesun99]

Do new forks come with a new star nut? Just ordered a new fork, making sure I have everything. I bought a new shock pump, and have saw to cut it down. Is there anything else?

[@MrRabi001]

Is that only the function of start nut is to hold top cap or it is also responsible to tighten the stem and the fork itself Sir ?

[@t_rafter15]

"on the wonk"

[@christophernilluka9049]

couldn't you use a long bolt with a washer and pull it from the bottom? As you tighten the bolt it would pull the star nut in.

[@josereneducharme142]

Front brake is optional but do you need a front wheel?

[@andahoy3734]

i think i destroy my starnut bolt thread, and the bolt just stuck there, can't pulled them out, any suggestion ?

[@jdwalker9718]

11mm long socket. Insert bolt every few smacks to make sure its square. Make corrections but striking the socket where necessary. Be patient.

[@youyangsmtbiker5780]

What's the torque value for the top cap that connects to the starnut?

[@roythearcher]

Using any method is good as long as you can keep the nut square within the bore of the tube. If its not square, it won't be central. If its square it should center itself.

[@omorin34]

I bought the tool. They are $15 US these days. I can't control the inner Thor in me and I hit the star way too hard. The tool is great for me, one solid hit and its set.

[@BugleBoy1990]

Lets all sing the star-fangled banner in celebration of that great star nut install!

[@johnguyo6447]

Hello there how can I open a plastic lock nut cover for my Gt front shocks tried removing it bt keeps breaking....

[@JASQNT]

Do I just need to tap the starnut down a touch further down if I’m taking away my spacers to give the bike a cleaner look? Or do I need to replace it for new?

[@gmbn]

If you're trimming the steerer then yes! Trim off above the star nut, tap it down further, then make another cut if necessary!

[@originalchristianvogt]

If you put a normal Nut on top of the Starnut the force goes into the normal Nut, which lowers the Danger of damaging the thread in the Starnut.

[@Jamie_Moss134]

This video came out just after i had fitted my starnut into my fork

[@jackbnimbleist]

Do the bikes come assembled?

[@andrewlamare7068]

When do I replaced my old star nut with a new one?

[@keithmason1613]

As a compliment you look like the GOVENOR from black sails. LMAO

[@ashliehiggins]

gussett headlock or a hope bung, saves all the hassle.

[@Larryboy29]

do i need to lock the fork before smashing the nut?

[@ICGedye]

Can I punch it out in such a way to re-use it, ie in a different fork?

[@user-fr2io9hj2d]

Will this work with a straight steerer tube?

[@GThiele64]

Can't see why it wouldn't. But probably you'll need a bigger tool to punch out an old star nut

[@coltonwheeler6926]

You guys should do so GoPro riding

[@elroc10]

That would be awesome!

[@reazulhasan2046]

Please do a video on rounded hex bolt removal tutorial , Countless time I have destroyed many parts for this problem

[@Toastybear1]

+rh akash get better tools!! (you can also get rounded bit removers... but good luck with them!)

[@mynameisnickish]

+rh akash Search 'Wera Hex plus' great tools.

[@Toastybear1]

best thing to learn- spend at least £25 on a set of allen keys- and treat yourself and spend 170 :L

[@t_rafter15]

Drill then out

[@t_rafter15]

+tom rafter *them

[@pawsfight6741]

Kool

[@darthvader1482]

Mine broke because the Walmart employees tightened it too much, so then it snapped inside and was barely holding it. When I bought the bike I thought it was something to do with the headset needing to be tightned, and when I took the bike apart, the one half of the bolt was snapped in half inside the headset.

[@wathalb]

Mine is to low can i push out and reinstall?

[@ilhanilmar5045]

what if my steertube is carbon ? is it works ?

[@garethdavies7564]

i only done this last friday as i brought new rockshox lyrik's

[@SamSinclairMTB]

Gareth Davies what size star nut did u use for your lyrik?

[@edtate827]

You should lock out the suspension as you hammer it out otherwise your power is lost

[@iainthavinthat]

Today I did this and get really frustrated, even with a FSA tool I couldn't install it straight (but still good enough). Plus some aluminium fragments fall to the stachions and the floor. I know some of this was my fault but fuck it, next time I'm getting a Hope Head Doctor.

[@CodeMonkeX]

+iainthavinthat yeah I got a head doc for my new fork. I did not have the correct tool for the star nut, and the head doc just slid in and tightened up no problem.

[@tennesseeoiler8899]

Couldn't you just leave the fork in the frame and use the wheel as a soft pad instead of taking the fork off and using a rubber mat on the ground? Can the star nut be installed while the fork is still in thr frame I guess is what I'm asking

[@timomahony9336]

keep bending derailer hangers and don't know why, any advice? #AskGmbn

[@sametterley7991]

Wooden spoon does not work too well for this. Tried and tin broke. Wish this vid was out at Christmas.

[@samhilton1562]

If the multiple universes theory is correct, there exists a single universe, in which, GMBN follows the upload schedule were promised on Fridays dirtshed

[@davidt8546]

I have only done this twice now. I recently bought a pair of 800 quid fox forks and went through this process. Please please buy the proper tool! I did this on the second attempt having tried a hack using a socket and washers. Lets just say...im glad I had a spare sfn....because it went very badly. I tried hammering the nut provided and I would say I managed it by the skin of my teeth and the nut was less than straight but just about acceptable and I was able to preload the top nut after finding the thread. Very high risk procedure and not pleasant to carry out. Spend 25 quid on the correct tool or borrow one if you can. Dont make my mistakes.

[@jzilm8419]

i just still cant get it replaced...its just to hard

[@TimJapan]

I have a carbon fork. I will try and drill it out. I don't wanna scratch the inside the tube all the way down. Maybe I should replace with a compression clamp. Is that a good idea?

[@paymepooper]

What is your favourite bike to ride?

[@hamishdurkie8380]

I find a screwdriver works better as it contacts a lager area

[@mandoky1647]

Use a piece of brass round stock..

[@bryankennedy4408]

👍

[@julitoega]

disc brakes arent attached to the fork, i now just a mistake he meant brake caliper, but it made me laugh 3:11, good videos, i will like to see how to take a bike completly appart and other monday how to reassemble it, to videos in 1 day .

[@thomaskositzki9424]

Well, I just ruined my star nut with this method... so my MTB build project is on hold till tomorrow. :/

[@Bobbleoff]

Never been a fan of threadless headsets. I think we need a hybrid standard of threaded headsets with modem clamp on stems. This will get rid of the annoying little split rings that never stay put between the steer tube and bearing