Another headset question

[lulubel]

I posted last night about tightening my headset, which had been loose (I assume, because I've never adjusted it before) since the bike went to the LBS and was serviced in June.

Initially, I overtightened it, and the bars and front wheel didn't move freely. Last night, I loosened it a quarter turn, and everything does move freely now, but when I rode it this morning, there was still a slight rattle. If I hold the front brake on and rock it forward and back hard, I can feel a slight clunk.

I can tighten it a bit again (eighth of a turn, maybe), and hopefully stop the clunking while still getting freedom of movement, but there doesn't seem to be a lot of leeway there. Is that normal, or is it a sign that being loose for so long has subjected the headset to excessive wear? Does it need replacing?

 

[Rob3rt]

Might be that it was ridden when too loose or too tight.

What type of headset is it? I have 3 bikes all with A-head style headsets and they all have plenty of adjustment between being too loose and movement ceasing to be free.

How are you setting it up?

I work as follows:
1) Loosen stem, and top cap,
2) Tighten topcap down until feels snug, bounce the front wheel.
3) Listen for any knocking etc, if you hear anything tighten another 1/4 turn
4) Repeat the above until there is no untoward sounds.

This is usually where I stop because its usually fine, but to be absolutelly pedantic you could go further to.

5) Front brake on, push bike back and forward and side to side a bit with some gusto to check for play.
6) Any play, tighten 1.4 turn
7) Repeat until no play or knocking


8) Tighten stem to correct torque.
9) Check the forks rotate freely, if not repeat the above.

If you cant retain free movement, with the absence of slack or knocking sounds your headset is likely screwed.

 

[lulubel]

Assuming it's been loose since June, it's been ridden about 1300 miles while loose.

According to a site that shows the spec for my bike, this is the headset I have: Aheadset Slimstak w/semi-cartridge bearings, sealed

When I first tightened it, I just tightened it until I would have had to put a lot of effort into tightening it any more (bear in mind, I'm female and don't have a huge amount of upper body strength), which meant the bars and front wheel didn't turn freely. Then I loosened it a quarter turn and lifted the front of the frame to check that the wheel turned sideways by itself.

That leaves me with only a quarter turn between slight clunking (too loose) and the wheel not turning sideways freely (too tight), so your comment that it should have plenty of adjustment is making me think it's probably damaged.

 

[Rob3rt]

Assuming it's been loose since June, it's been ridden about 1300 miles while loose.

According to a site that shows the spec for my bike, this is the headset I have: Aheadset Slimstak w/semi-cartridge bearings, sealed

When I first tightened it, I just tightened it until I would have had to put a lot of effort into tightening it any more (bear in mind, I'm female and don't have a huge amount of upper body strength), which meant the bars and front wheel didn't turn freely. Then I loosened it a quarter turn and lifted the front of the frame to check that the wheel turned sideways by itself.

That leaves me with only a quarter turn between slight clunking (too loose) and the wheel not turning sideways freely (too tight), so your comment that it should have plenty of adjustment is making me think it's probably damaged.

Sounds like the headset is shot, now I cant see much on that headset, so I cant make many suggestions, headsets vary, some are inserted into the frame (like my old track bike), some are truly integrated using a lip in the headtube as the bearing race (like all 3 of my current bikes). So you will need to establish the right kind of headset, and then you will want to make sure the race is not damaged.

I'm not a tech wizard though so take what I am saying with a pinch of salt, I'd go to an LBS with something like this.

 

[lulubel]

I'm not a tech wizard though so take what I am saying with a pinch of salt, I'd go to an LBS with something like this.

Unfortunately, the only LBS I know of here is the one that caused the problem (and several other problems) in the first place. So, I think I'm going to have to figure this out for myself. Taking it apart and having a look at it will probably be a good first step

 

[heliphil]

You could try swapping the top and bottom bearings over if possible - this may solve some of the problem and is easy(ish) / cheap to try.

 

[accountantpete]

There frequently is not much leeway between the headset being loose and tight so I think you will be ok.

The only real problems I have seen involves forks with carbon steerer - and they can wear away pretty quickly if the headset is not tightened correctly.

 

[lulubel]

Well, I've managed to tighten it enough to stop the clunking, and everything still turns freely, so I suppose that will do for now. I'll take it apart at the weekend when I've got a bit more time, and see if I can figure out if it is badly damaged, and what I need to replace it.

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

This might help you understand what you have got. It could be one of these e.g.