Rattle from headset(?) - help please

[RegG]

My partners bike has developed a rattle when going over bumpy roads and I have narrowed it down to the headset area (at least I think that is what it is called). Heres a pic of the area concerned.....



I have checked the stem bolts and they are all tight. I have removed the headset cover and replaced it to make sure it is tight. The rattle is definitely coming from this area.....

Any ideas what it could be and/or how I need to fix it? Do I need to take it to my LBS as it is the steering?

Any help appreciated....

 

[Milkfloat]

When you have the front brake on, gripped the bars and push the bike back and forth is there play?

 

[RegG]

When you have the front brake on, gripped the bars and push the bike back and forth is there play?

No play found when doing that.... The bike is just a year old and has only done around 500 miles if that; no rough road use, all cattle grids avoided, no kerbs bumped up or down.

 

[lpretro1]

More likely cables rattling

 

[RegG]

More likely cables rattling

Don't think its the cables as it definitely seems to come from the headset area. Cables are internal on this bike; all brake levers etc are tight.

 

[raleighnut]

Are there any spacers below the stem?

 

[RegG]

Yes, about three I think without going out to look. They all seem firm though.

 

[pawl]

Yes, about three I think without going out to look. They all seem firm though.

Chec for play in the front wheel

 

[raleighnut]

Yes, about three I think without going out to look. They all seem firm though.

That was gonna be my next question.
If you remove the top cap is there an unnecessary little spacer thingy in there, I seem to remember someone had one rattling on their headset a while back. (it's used to set the 'Star Fangled Nut' in the fork steerer but they can rattle and they're not really needed)

 

[RegG]

Chec for play in the front wheel

No play in the front wheel. Also checked all the spokes and they are ok (front and back).

That was gonna be my next question.
If you remove the top cap is there an unnecessary little spacer thingy in there, I seem to remember someone had one rattling on their headset a while back. (it's used to set the 'Star Fangled Nut' in the fork steerer but they can rattle and they're not really needed)

The only part visible when I take the top cap off is the Star Fangled Nut. Cant see anything rattling around loose.

 

[ColinJ]

I had the same thing on my bike after I put a new stem on. Normally, I tighten the preload bolt on top just enough to get rid of the play when rocking the bike backwards and forwards with the front brake full on. This time it was still not tight enough - the headset clunked when I went along rough roads. I tightened it a bit more and the noise stopped so it seems that getting rid of play is necessary, but may not be sufficient!

Make sure that you tighten the bolts holding the bars on the steerer after making the adjustment!

Don't over-do the preload though - you should still be able to turn the bars freely without any excessive friction and definitely without any notching/jerkiness.

This video may help ...



A final test ... when you think you have the adjustment right, raise the front of the bike by 6 or 7 inches and drop it. It should bounce a couple of times and then come to rest without any clunking sounds from the headset.

 

[RegG]

Thanks ColinJ - I will have a look at that tomorrow and see if it helps.

 

[RegG]

I had the same thing on my bike after I put a new stem on. Normally, I tighten the preload bolt on top just enough to get rid of the play when rocking the bike backwards and forwards with the front brake full on. This time it was still not tight enough - the headset clunked when I went along rough roads. I tightened it a bit more and the noise stopped so it seems that getting rid of play is necessary, but may not be sufficient!

Make sure that you tighten the bolts holding the bars on the steerer after making the adjustment!

Don't over-do the preload though - you should still be able to turn the bars freely without any excessive friction and definitely without any notching/jerkiness.

This video may help ...



A final test ... when you think you have the adjustment right, raise the front of the bike by 6 or 7 inches and drop it. It should bounce a couple of times and then come to rest without any clunking sounds from the headset.

Tried this but still rattling when going over rough bit of road or drain cover! Looks like it will be the LBS next!

 

[Hacienda71]

My bike does exactly the same thing. My LBS reckons it is the internal brake cable on the top tube. Their suggestion is to put a bit of sponge in the top tube. I haven't done it yet, but may try.

 

[RegG]

My bike does exactly the same thing. My LBS reckons it is the internal brake cable on the top tube. Their suggestion is to put a bit of sponge in the top tube. I haven't done it yet, but may try.

The LBS is going to have a look at it later today. Could be internal brake cables but it only started yesterday and the rattle definitely comes from the headset area as opposed to the top or down tube......