So I bought this alpina fork and didn’t realize it was missing the insert to fasten down the center cap & screw. Is there anything else I can use to make sure my headset doesn’t fly off on a ride or did I just spend $120 on a trash fork?
Btw I cut it to fit my frame, and the top part didn’t have the insert either so I’m confused.
2nd photo is the part I’m missing.
by Notrilldirtlife
7 Comments
> anything else I can use …
No, you have no way to apply preload to the headset bearings. So this results in a wobbly headset and premature wear on the bearings.
You can buy a star nut and tap it in (or an expanding bung if your fork uses a carbon steerer). Or pay a local shop to do it. It needs to be tapped in straight, else you’ll have a tight preload bolt. It’s a quick job if you have the right tools. A shop probably wouldn’t charge much if you just brought the fork along.
**Edit**: For what it’s worth as well, the top of the steerer should **not** be flush with the top of the spacer or stem (can’t see if it does or not from your two images) since the top cap wouldn’t be able to set preload. It should look like one of the lower two images in this https://i.imgur.com/LJXDHqr.png
Yes, you can get an expanding plug if it’s carbon/ you don’t want to fit a star nut.
If you’re desperate to get out on a ride you could push down on the stem and tighten the stem bolts – easier with two people. You don’t need much force at all to preload the bearings – that screw should never be more than finger tight anyway.
Your bike will be ok if you fit it loose short term (assuming you ride on ok roads).
That top cap screw doesn’t really do anything other than preload the bearings, the stem bolts do all the clamping hence why it’s important not to apply any grease to the steerer tube!
The star nut is a replaceable part that often comes with the headset, if it’s a new fork it won’t have one, just take it to a bike shop and ask what you need
Hopefully you’ve got a spacer or two under that stem you can remove. You want the steer tube to stick out past the stem so you can get a spacer above it and preload everything without removing clamping area from your stem
There’s certainly plenty of ways around adjusting the bearing preload without the compression nut, but it’s a hell of a lot easier and not recommended to do without the proper parts. If it’s something you just can’t wait to get the parts to complete your build, the answer is out [there](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=e1Yf5pK29C0)
Super easy to get a star nut (the “insert”) hammered in and and bolt+top cap. Parts would probly only run you ~$20 and most shops will just hammer it in free of charge or maybe $5 labor.
Since you’re going to using the whole front end of the bike for leverage while you try to skid stop, it’s kinda sorta pretty important to have the bolts tight or dental insurance. If I were you I’d have a shop go over this once just to make sure