Removing headtube compression plug
#2
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Joined: Apr 2009
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From: New Rochelle, NY
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Depends if it's a star nut or expansion plug.
Starnuts can sometimes be broken, or turned sideways and eased back up. generally it's easier to push them deeper and out of the way and use a new starnut.
Expansion plugs should be disassembled and the top part lifted out, then the expanding sleeve or shoes can often be eased out by sticking a finger in and working them up. Many of the types that only have a single split are difficult to lift out this way, so I use an old screwdriver that I bent into an "L" or open "J" shape years ago to get behind them and pull them up. Lastly turn the fork over and shake the expanding cone out.
The one thing you usually can't do with expansion plugs is pull or push them out assembled, since any pressure applied to the expanding cone expands the sleeve and locks them in.
Starnuts can sometimes be broken, or turned sideways and eased back up. generally it's easier to push them deeper and out of the way and use a new starnut.
Expansion plugs should be disassembled and the top part lifted out, then the expanding sleeve or shoes can often be eased out by sticking a finger in and working them up. Many of the types that only have a single split are difficult to lift out this way, so I use an old screwdriver that I bent into an "L" or open "J" shape years ago to get behind them and pull them up. Lastly turn the fork over and shake the expanding cone out.
The one thing you usually can't do with expansion plugs is pull or push them out assembled, since any pressure applied to the expanding cone expands the sleeve and locks them in.
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FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#3
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,130
Likes: 1
From: Southeast USA
It's an expansion plug. It has 4 splits in it. Not sure what you are saying is a viable option in my case.
Depends if it's a star nut or expansion plug.
Starnuts can sometimes be broken, or turned sideways and eased back up. generally it's easier to push them deeper and out of the way and use a new starnut.
Expansion plugs should be disassembled and the top part lifted out, then the expanding sleeve or shoes can often be eased out by sticking a finger in and working them up. Many of the types that only have a single split are difficult to lift out this way, so I use an old screwdriver that I bent into an "L" or open "J" shape years ago to get behind them and pull them up. Lastly turn the fork over and shake the expanding cone out.
The one thing you usually can't do with expansion plugs is pull or push them out assembled, since any pressure applied to the expanding cone expands the sleeve and locks them in.
Starnuts can sometimes be broken, or turned sideways and eased back up. generally it's easier to push them deeper and out of the way and use a new starnut.
Expansion plugs should be disassembled and the top part lifted out, then the expanding sleeve or shoes can often be eased out by sticking a finger in and working them up. Many of the types that only have a single split are difficult to lift out this way, so I use an old screwdriver that I bent into an "L" or open "J" shape years ago to get behind them and pull them up. Lastly turn the fork over and shake the expanding cone out.
The one thing you usually can't do with expansion plugs is pull or push them out assembled, since any pressure applied to the expanding cone expands the sleeve and locks them in.
#4
Senior Member


Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 39,897
Likes: 3,865
From: New Rochelle, NY
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Expansion plugs are all the same in that pulling them up while assembled pulls the expansion cone on the bottom up into the wedges jamming them.
Sometimes you can lift them really gently but usually it's a self locking action and will defeat you. remove the top unit, and let the cone fall to the bottom, then lift the expanding section out by finger or hooked tool. If your plug has the expanding section and top unit all in one piece it's still the same, loosen the expander cone until it drops then pull out the expanding section.
Sometimes you can lift them really gently but usually it's a self locking action and will defeat you. remove the top unit, and let the cone fall to the bottom, then lift the expanding section out by finger or hooked tool. If your plug has the expanding section and top unit all in one piece it's still the same, loosen the expander cone until it drops then pull out the expanding section.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#5
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,130
Likes: 1
From: Southeast USA
Expansion plugs are all the same in that pulling them up while assembled pulls the expansion cone on the bottom up into the wedges jamming them.
Sometimes you can lift them really gently but usually it's a self locking action and will defeat you. remove the top unit, and let the cone fall to the bottom, then lift the expanding section out by finger or hooked tool. If your plug has the expanding section and top unit all in one piece it's still the same, loosen the expander cone until it drops then pull out the expanding section.
Sometimes you can lift them really gently but usually it's a self locking action and will defeat you. remove the top unit, and let the cone fall to the bottom, then lift the expanding section out by finger or hooked tool. If your plug has the expanding section and top unit all in one piece it's still the same, loosen the expander cone until it drops then pull out the expanding section.
Well thats the problem. The "bolt" in the center is rounded out. I cant get a tool in there to loosen or tighten it.
#6
Senior Member


Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 39,897
Likes: 3,865
From: New Rochelle, NY
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
I assume you're talking of the bolt that controls the expansion, and not the top cap screw. If that's right, drill down through it and the bottom cone will be free, then you can pull the expansion plug out in sections.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#7
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,130
Likes: 1
From: Southeast USA
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