Take it to a shop. They have the right tool to set this at the correct depth and straight
No_Anteater3967 on
Keep banging!! Just bang it in another direction to make it straight. Also don’t go down too far (common mistake) only go 5-10 mm below flush. (Think about how much 5mm is. Going too deep is easy)
Xafilah on
Honestly this isn’t a great way of doing it. I’ve always used a pipe to set my starnuts and keep them straight.
AgentPanKake on
If you want to diy it and don’t have the tools, I’ve heard you can put it on the bike with the stem and cap and use that as a guide to keep it straight
DrakeonMallard on
Percussive maintenance is rarely the optimal approach with modern bicycles.
Outrageous-Pass-8926 on
I use a deep socket, inverted with the bolt and a washer to locate it all just right. Support the underside of the crown with a piece of wood and tap it in with a few quick blows.
Ignash3D on
Yeah, wont risk 400 euro fork by trying to be a hero home mechanic haha. I have awesome bike shop on my way to work so it will go there 🙂
Thank you all for the tips.
RenaxTM on
I’ve done it like this many times, but I’ve also fucked up once. only the starnut was fucked tho, fork was fine when I got a new starnut.
Bought a cheap star nut install tool on aliexpress for $5 or so, makes it so much easier and fail safe, I don’t even do this once a year but its still well worth it.
Meatmountain69420 on
I smacked mine against the side of my shed. It worked but it’s angled slightly.
18 Comments
Take it to a shop. They have the right tool to set this at the correct depth and straight
Keep banging!! Just bang it in another direction to make it straight. Also don’t go down too far (common mistake) only go 5-10 mm below flush. (Think about how much 5mm is. Going too deep is easy)
Honestly this isn’t a great way of doing it. I’ve always used a pipe to set my starnuts and keep them straight.
If you want to diy it and don’t have the tools, I’ve heard you can put it on the bike with the stem and cap and use that as a guide to keep it straight
Percussive maintenance is rarely the optimal approach with modern bicycles.
I use a deep socket, inverted with the bolt and a washer to locate it all just right. Support the underside of the crown with a piece of wood and tap it in with a few quick blows.
Yeah, wont risk 400 euro fork by trying to be a hero home mechanic haha. I have awesome bike shop on my way to work so it will go there 🙂
Thank you all for the tips.
I’ve done it like this many times, but I’ve also fucked up once. only the starnut was fucked tho, fork was fine when I got a new starnut.
Bought a cheap star nut install tool on aliexpress for $5 or so, makes it so much easier and fail safe, I don’t even do this once a year but its still well worth it.
I smacked mine against the side of my shed. It worked but it’s angled slightly.
[I did it this way recently](https://youtu.be/bCo10cML5iU?si=IovI0rSz-BSOWrAc) got slightly sideways at some point but the second method allowed it to get set pretty straight in the end!
https://youtu.be/EIfU9UcpsHc?si=ezFuYVZY7FeOb49N
When in doubt, always grab a heavier hammer.
You need to put something like a socket over it a little smaller than the tube.
Don’t hammer the screw, you’ll damage the tjreads.
Hit it harder
Either take it to a shop or get the tool. The Park Tool TNS 4 is a bit more than others, but it is the best one.
U lost me at hammering. Take it 2 the LBS
If In doubt bring it to a professional.
Last time I brought a fork to my local shop and they set the crown race and star but for like $20, worth it to not screw up a nice fork.