[moodster]

I was going to take the top cap off my thompson stem last nite, it started to unthread and then it stopped coming up! I keep turning, it keeps spinning, but it won't come out! I have not had this issue before and I am not sure what to do? Any Ideas..........thanks.

I hate star fangled nuts!!!!

 

[Xactoman]

try this

I am guessing that the thread insert on the star nut is spinning in place. I would try grabbing the top of the bolt with a locking pliers and pulling up while trying to unthread it. Or you could push to the side while trying to unthread. Basically you want to put some friction on that insert so that the bolt will unthread.

If worse came to worse, you could cut the top of the bolt off with a dremel. Then using a long socket shaft drive the star nut out the bottom of the steerer and then install a new star nut. I've had to do this one and it works pretty well. I guess this only works if the bolt head is out high enough and you have a dremel and a long socket shaft

 

[KevinB]

I was going to take the top cap off my thompson stem last nite, it started to unthread and then it stopped coming up! I keep turning, it keeps spinning, but it won't come out! I have not had this issue before and I am not sure what to do?

Look up the steerer tube from the bottom. You'll probably need to shine a small light up the tube in order to see what's happening. Then, have an assistant turn the top cap bolt. Watch closely to see what's happening.

If you're lucky, the entire star fangled nut is turning. If that's happening, you should be able to jam something long and skinny up the steerer tube to help hold it in place. (E.g. get a piece of rebar, sharpen one end and then jam this sharpened end in between the fins of the star fangled nut...)

If you're not so lucky, the portion of the star fangled nut which bites into the steerer tube is still stuck in place, and only the center part is turning. Of these two possibilities, I think the second is more likely. You might try the same trick as above in the hope that applying sufficient force to the tined portion of the star fangled nut will hold the center in place. If that doesn't work, get a steel rod long enough to reach the star fangled nut from the bottom of the steerer tube. (You'll want a few inches to spare at the bottom.) The diameter of the rod should be the same as that of a top cap bolt. Use a die to cut threads in the end of the rod and then thread the rod into the bottom portion of the star fangled nut. (This assumes that the top cap bolt is not protruding through the bottom.) Place some sideways (or downwards) pressure on the rod and then unscrew the top cap bolt. The idea here is to hold the spinning center portion in place so that the top cap bolt can be removed.

 

[moodster]

I have already tried all but the putting of the pipe in from bottom and try to hold it from spinning with 2nd person. It is not the outer portion that is spinning and I am not sure it is the inner either. when I try to loosen it, it wants to turn the forks also exactly the same as I am turning my allen tool so it would not seem that either are spinning actually!!

 

[moodster]

I need to add that it is the inner part that is spinning but now it is not spinning very easy it turns the forks unless I hold the forks tight it then spins and I cannot get it to then come any out anymore. I will try with a second person but I am leary!!

 

[KevinB]

I need to add that it is the inner part that is spinning but now it is not spinning very easy it turns the forks unless I hold the forks tight it then spins and I cannot get it to then come any out anymore. I will try with a second person but I am leary!!

Try spraying some Tri-Flow or the like at the bolt from the bottom of the steerer tube. It may be that the bottom of the bolt is just gunked up...

 

[calzonical]

You can also fold the stars to the center of the star nut. Stick a long screwdriver in the bottom of the steerer tube and force the stars into the middle of the nut. This should release the star nut from the steerer tube and you should be able to pull the whole thing out from the top of the steerer tube.

Then I would recommend using a Ring-Go-Star from U.S.E. I have one installed and it works well.

 

[moodster]

You can also fold the stars to the center of the star nut. Stick a long screwdriver in the bottom of the steerer tube and force the stars into the middle of the nut. This should release the star nut from the steerer tube and you should be able to pull the whole thing out from the top of the steerer tube.

Then I would recommend using a Ring-Go-Star from U.S.E. I have one installed and it works well.

Hey this one did it thanks!! I had to fold them up I should have thought of that!!
Thanks........