Own a torque wrench? if you learn the torque spec for the stem clamp bolts,
often imprinted right there..
then you can use the numbers on the torque wrench scale
to bring the bolts up to spec without being under tight, your current situation,
or over-tight, and stripping out the threads cut in the Aluminum stem.
a star nut digs in harder to the inside of the metal tube, when pulled up.
If it is a carbon tube fork you should not have a star nut,
nor a 2" spacer stack under your stem..
Last edited by fietsbob; 09-30-12 at 12:37 PM.