Headset is loose

[Deleted member 35268]

My 2008 Giant Defy headset has some movement, I therefore assume it needs replacing.

The bike rattles and shakes when at speed and on bumps - does not give me a lot of confidence on steep descents.

This will not be for the first time, and the mechanic who did that had trouble finding the right part.

I will see if I can tighten it this evening, but failing that it's off for repairs. It's a job I would not take on myself - I can do BB's and wheel bearings, but headsets - no

Any thoughts on my issue? Thanks in advance

 

[accountantpete]

A headset can easily become loose over time - the constant potholes etc etc can move the stem slightly and allow some play.

It's an easy fix - loosen the stem on the steerer, tighten up the top cap slightly (check for play and smooth movement) and then re-tighten the stem.

 

[Ajax Bay]

If you can do a BB and wheel bearings, you can certainly (ie have all the skills needed to) do a headset. It's not rocket engineering.

 

[Soltydog]

I have a similar aged Spesh & last year my headset became loose & I couldn't tighten it. My local bike mechanic just added another small spacer on the stack & it's fine now. Always worth trying a cheap fix 1st

 

[Deleted member 35268]

OK guys, I will take a look at the weekend, many thanks

 

[Deleted member 35268]

Success. I was so sick of my forks moving I bit the bullet and stripped the headset down.

I was amazed how simple the internals were, not really much too it at all.

I found quite an orange and dirty mess inside the headset. I cleaned everything up and greased it good.

I whacked the bearing back down into it's cup and tightened everything back up - took about 25 mins

Was easy and I saved a pile of cash not going to my LBS

 

[Apollonius]

Most satisfying, eh. Now that you know how easy it is to strip down the forks and remove the orange gunge, you will be doing it frequently, I reckon.

 

[Deleted member 35268]

Ahhh, I noticed the headset was making itself loose again so I re-tightend the top thread which was a little loose. On riding the bike I then found I had overtightened and steering was a little surprising at times. Wish I had a torque wrench!

 

[fossyant]

Your bearings may well be on the way out as the 'orange mess' is rust. It shouldn't come loose if you tighten the stem properly. Don't over tighten the top nut as that will pull the star fangled nut right out the steerer. The top nut is just for adjusting the pre-load with the stem bolts slackened off.

To test, just bounce the front end, if it clatters, just tighten 1/4 turn, bounce, check, tighten slightly. Once the clatter stops, tighten up the stem bolts and you are done.

 

[Deleted member 35268]

Your bearings may well be on the way out as the 'orange mess' is rust. It shouldn't come loose if you tighten the stem properly. Don't over tighten the top nut as that will pull the star fangled nut right out the steerer. The top nut is just for adjusting the pre-load with the stem bolts slackened off.

To test, just bounce the front end, if it clatters, just tighten 1/4 turn, bounce, check, tighten slightly. Once the clatter stops, tighten up the stem bolts and you are done.

Yeah, I think it is toast. I will try and order a new one - But I can fit it myself!!!!! Yipee

 

[Deleted member 35268]

Thanks to this post http://midlandscyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/giant-defy-headset-bearings.html I have managed to find the bearings I need

HEADSET


TOP BEARING 41.8mm x 6mm 45° X 45° MR136 (1 1/4")

LOWER BEARING 47mm x 7mm 45° X 45° MR137 (1 1/2")

Which can be sourced from EBAY here using the MR numbers

£15.00 which is fine.

 

[ianrauk]

Thanks to this post http://midlandscyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/giant-defy-headset-bearings.html I have managed to find the bearings I need

HEADSET


TOP BEARING 41.8mm x 6mm 45° X 45° MR136 (1 1/4")

LOWER BEARING 47mm x 7mm 45° X 45° MR137 (1 1/2")

Which can be sourced from EBAY here using the MR numbers

£15.00 which is fine.

Before you go and pay for new complete bearings. Check out this really excellent video from @Globalti


Pay pennies for new bearings and do it yourself.

 

[Globalti]

Those bearings usually rust within a few weeks of buying a new bike because they are fitted "clean" and the bottom bearing is horribly exposed to salty water thrown up by the front wheel. Once you've serviced the bearing as shown, smear the outside with a good protective layer of Vaseline, grease or lanoline and you won't need to buy another one.

As I said in the video, most bikes are built for Californian weather, not British.

 

[Deleted member 35268]

you people are too smart!

 

[Apollonius]

You don't need a torque wrench for doing up the top cap. Sit astride the bike and slowly nip up the cap until the play disappears. You test this by rocking the bike forward gently with the front brake on. You do need a torque wrench for doing up the stem bolts finally. Too much pressure risks crushing the carbon steerer. My stem has 5Nm on it as a guide. That isn't a huge amount of torque. If the assembled fork swings smoothly and there is no roughness or notching, then the bearings are serviceable. They will take quite a lot of punishment, but keep them well greased.