Rattle from headset(?) - help please

[Smokin Joe]

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......

Hah!

Believe me, the source of a rattle or creak can be next to impossible to pin down. Over 50% of the time the damn thing is coming from the opposite end of the bike to where the noise is.

 

[Svendo]

I find loose headsets reveal themselves initially as a judder when braking down steeper slopes, if not found during a routine check. But who bothers with that ?

 

[Goggs]

I'm not sure if this will help you but make sure you only tighten the side stem bolts after you've tightened the top bolt enough to remove the play. Doing it the other way around will have no effect as tightening the side bolts first will only lock-in the play, if you get my meaning. Been there, done that

Also, after you've loosened everything off make sure to lift the front of the bike a few inches & drop it to the ground a couple of times (with the wheel & tyre in place, obviously) to make sure nothing is binding. After you've tightened the top bolt to where there's no play do the same thing, maing sure there's no knocking or rattling. Then tighten the side bolts. Finally, lift the whole bike but with the back wheel higher, turn the handlebars to the left and release. The bars should return freely & smoothly to the straight-ahead position. Turn to the right & repeat.

Good luck.

 

[RegG]

Ok then, firstly thanks to all who replied with suggestions and ways to resolve the rattle. I did try several of the things suggested to no avail.

This afternoon I took the bike into my very well respected and knowledgeable bike shop and, within a couple of minutes the problem was solved, and didn't I feel like a right p**t!!! The bike has internal cables, the one for the back brake travelling down the inside of the top tube. On this bike it is the whole cable which goes through the top tube, not just the inner cable. My guy simply pulled a bit of the cable through to the rear and the rattle was gone!! It is, apparently, frequent issue with this type of internal cable routing and very easily resolved.

Thanks again to everyone on the forum who replied and thanks also to Langdale Lightweights in Nottingham for solving the problem and not making me feel like a complete idiot!

 

[Goggs]

Alternatively, have you tried pulling some of the rear brake cable through the frame?

 

[Wetdog]

Are you sure it's the headset and not your Mrs?


I'll get mi coat

 

[lpretro1]

I did say early on more likely to be cables!!! Glad u sorted

 

[RegG]

I did say early on more likely to be cables!!! Glad u sorted

I know, should have listened!