Carbon steerer; advice needed

[Sparrow]

The short version: I have a 2001 Giant with a 1" carbon steerer. I have pushed the expander-plug-thingy down too far. How do I get it out?
Long version may follow... Although, my last query re. this bike and a similar headset issue recieved 70-ish views, and not one single reply..

 

[elite504]

Re:

a) Don't, leave it in there and use a longer 6mm bolt.
b) Push it down a little further, and put a new one in on top of that one.

You're unlikely to have a plain bore all the way through, and be able to push it straight through. Not that I would anyway, star-fangled nuts tend to scratch and scrape and cut fibres. I'd leave it as much as you can.

 

[Sparrow]

Re:

Thank you! @elite504 It is reassuring that I am not shouting in to the void...
I had almost decided that "pushing it in a bit further" was probs the only sensible course.... And re. your 3rd point.. I have a SFN, but the fork has great red warnings plastered all over, saying "DO NOT USE A SFN; GIANT WILL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE IF YOU DIE" (something like that)

 

[mattr]

Longer bolt is the easy way.
Dismantling it and shaking it out is another.
Turning the fork over and hoping you have a through hole is another......

Does it have a hole for an 8mm hex key in the top to loosen everything off?

 

[Sparrow]

Longer bolt is the easy way.
Dismantling it and shaking it out is another.
Turning the fork over and hoping you have a through hole is another......

Does it have a hole for an 8mm hex key in the top to loosen everything off?

Yes, it has an 8mm hex-hole... which seems to do nada. And the piece which threads into it seems to be made of cheese, and I am reluctant to use it as a tool (or even for its intended purpose, TBH)
Also, there is really NO access to push it up from the bottom end of the forks, a small hole, possibly 4mm (drainage? I cant think of any other purpose?)
And just for nor reason... I inspected down the fork-tube with a really bright modern LED lamp. And there appeared to be an enormous maggot/larva at the bottom. God only knows what it will hatch in to.. ("There seems to be a strange buzzing noise from the head tube?" Gaaaaaaagh Run away, now, run for your lives!)

 

[mattr]

A 4mm drainage hole is big enough to get a 4mm poking device in.......

 

[Woz]

Re:

Blimey.

Can the maggot push the carbon bung up if you feed it enough?

I mean it already sounds too big to escape from the 4mm hole, so you may profit from it's survival instincts.