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Push Nuts

Push Nuts

Push Nuts

Push nuts (Starlock-style retainers) are pressed steel cups with inward-pointing teeth that bite into a plain shaft as the nut is pushed on. The bite engages and locks against back-out - no thread, no groove, no machining of the shaft required. Used for axle retention on castors and small wheels, retention of control knob shafts, light retention work where a low-cost one-way fix is the right call.

Also known as: Starlock Nuts, Push-On Nuts, Speed Nuts, Cap Nuts (in this style), Self-Locking Retainers.

Push nuts have no thread - they grip a plain unthreaded shaft. Size is by the shaft diameter the nut fits (typically 3mm to 12mm). Push nuts are one-way fasteners - removal typically damages the shaft surface and the nut, so plan for them to be permanent on installation.

GRADES AND MATERIALS

Hardened Carbon Steel, Black Oxide - the standard push nut material. The teeth need to be harder than the shaft material to bite - hardened steel push nuts work on mild-steel and aluminium shafts. Not recommended for hardened or case-hardened shafts where the teeth won't bite.

Stainless A2-70 G304 - corrosion-resistant variant for outdoor, indoor washdown or chemical exposure. Largely non-magnetic in the annealed condition. The bite force is slightly lower than the hardened steel variant - suitable for static retention on a shaft that won't see sustained axial pull.

DRIVE AND INSTALLATION

Push the nut onto the clean dry shaft until it seats against the part being retained. The teeth bite into the shaft as the nut slides on. Use a flat-face pressing tool or push-nut driver to apply even axial force - hand pressure is usually enough for the smaller sizes (3mm to 6mm). Larger sizes may need a small press or arbour press.

The shaft must be the correct diameter (push nuts are sized to fit a specific shaft OD) and should be free of grease or oil that would reduce the bite. Removal usually damages the shaft surface and the nut - if removal is anticipated, choose a circlip or threaded retention instead.

A NOTE ON GALLING

Stainless push nuts on stainless shafts can gall on the teeth as the nut is pushed on. Don't pre-lubricate (the lubricant defeats the bite). Push straight on without rocking. If excessive force is needed, the shaft may be the wrong diameter or out of round.

SIZING AND MEASUREMENTS

Push nuts are sized by the shaft diameter they grip - they have no length and are not measured end-to-end. Match the nominal nut size to the actual shaft OD. The nut's overall depth and outside cap diameter are listed on each product page.

TECHNICAL RESOURCES

Push nuts do not have a formal DIN / ISO standard for this form factor - dimensional spec is to the supplier's published part dimensions. Spec PDFs linked on each product page.

Browse the full Push Nuts range. We've been supplying these online from Brisbane for over 15 years — 25,000 stock lines, 200 million+ pieces in stock, same-day dispatch on orders placed before 1pm. Save more as you buy more — up to 13 price breaks plus 3 spend-tier discounts.

Prices: Includes GST, a Tax Invoice and Free Standard Delivery anywhere in Australia.

WHY AUSTRALIA TRUSTS BOLT & NUT

With 15+ years selling fasteners online from Brisbane, we hold over 25,000 stock lines and 200 million pieces - 98.75% of online orders placed before 1pm leave same day. Save more as you buy more - we offer up to 13 price breaks plus 3 spend-tier discounts. Read our customer reviews or get in touch if you need help picking the right push nut.

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