What stem top crown / seals? MTB

Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.

GoatBeard

Active Member
Continuing on with operation coyote rescue (see my recent threads to know about the 'bike' I'm on about) as expected the stem/fork tube is rusted good and proper. I had this job way back on my Subway 1.

Anyway, it's rusted stuck and I can't slide the fork out at all so I'm going to have to do a hack and a bodge to free it. Some parts are going to get smashed which will need replacing, although when I reassemble it I'm going to apply generous dollups of moly to keep the water out.

Capture.JPG


Here's what I need, what's the name of it and the rubber bits/seals that thread in it please. Any shops/recommendations on replacements? This evening I also took apart the Rock Shox Dart 1 and to my amazement it was pristine inside! Nicely well lubricated and serviced. Unfortunately inside one of the stantions there's an extendable rod on one side that needs bolting on from the outside and it slides freely so when you refit the outer section (not sure the name) and try and screw the bolt onto the thread it's bloody nightmare. It pushes back and slips away. I've no idea how it's done the 'proper way' threading a bolt into a loose rod end with only gravity on your side is ridiculous. Love to see how the pro's do it.
 
Last edited:

Threevok

Growing old disgracefully
Location
South Wales
You probably can't slide the fork out, because the spacers on the top are stuck to the steerer tube. A bit if WD40 and some rocking back and forth will probably loosen it.

Not sure this will help or not with the forks

https://cdn.sram.com/sites/default/files/techdocs/2011-dart-technical-manual.pdf

PS : headset looks Bog standard, should be able to pick up a sealed cartridge equivalent replacement bearings, cheap as chips
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: C R

Roseland triker

Cheese ..... It's all about the cheese
Location
By the sea
Lube it then hit it.
Headset is integral sort of so might only be 1 or 2 you can choose from. Easy enough to do tho as the cups are part of the frame making it easy to replace with just basic tools
 
OP
OP
G

GoatBeard

Active Member
So I'm still at it. I went to Halfords and tried one that they recommend. It didn't fit at all, what a pity. If someone could enlighten me as to exactly what I need to buy that would be amazing! See below :laugh:
 

Attachments

  • Capture4.JPG
    Capture4.JPG
    52.4 KB · Views: 5
  • Capture3.JPG
    Capture3.JPG
    120.6 KB · Views: 6
  • Capture2.JPG
    Capture2.JPG
    88.8 KB · Views: 4
  • Capture.JPG
    Capture.JPG
    64.2 KB · Views: 5

Threevok

Growing old disgracefully
Location
South Wales
Where's the one Halfords sold you.

Also, It doesn't look like you've removed the cups from the old one. They look like they are part of the frame but they are not.
 
OP
OP
G

GoatBeard

Active Member
Where's the one Halfords sold you.

Also, It doesn't look like you've removed the cups from the old one. They look like they are part of the frame but they are not.

Haven't included the Halfords replacement other than it appeared to be the wrong shape. Getting those inner bearings out of the frame is a bit specialised, I think you'd need that flared tube tool (trying to pry them our with a screwdriver would potentially score the tubes up badly I think) but regardless the bearings themselves seem absolutely fine. It's the rubber cups/seals that are perished.

I think I might just try and pack it up with grease and make do with the original headset. Seems like more trouble than it's worth.
 

Threevok

Growing old disgracefully
Location
South Wales
Knock them out using a screwdriver and a hammer. Place the scredriver inside the hole and locate the lip of the opposite cup.

In a circular motion, keep tapping at the lip until the cup pops out. then turn the frame over and do the other one
 

Threevok

Growing old disgracefully
Location
South Wales
 
OP
OP
G

GoatBeard

Active Member
Is this collar supposed to come off the fork? Trying to replace the headset. Due to the rust I can't quite slide the new rings to the bottom of the tube. Rock Shox Dart 1.
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_2022-05-31-18-44-07-35_99c04817c0de5652397fc8b56c3b3817.jpg
    Screenshot_2022-05-31-18-44-07-35_99c04817c0de5652397fc8b56c3b3817.jpg
    81.2 KB · Views: 4

Threevok

Growing old disgracefully
Location
South Wales
Ooops, that should not have happened. Did you clean underneath first ?

Is your new headset a sealed cartridge unit, or a caged race. Show me the bearings

If it's a sealed cartridge, it won't matter. All the ones I've owned have a split race anyway, for ease of installation (you'll still have to clean underneath first though)
 
  • Like
Reactions: C R
OP
OP
G

GoatBeard

Active Member
Ooops, that should not have happened. Did you clean underneath first ?

Is your new headset a sealed cartridge unit, or a caged race. Show me the bearings

If it's a sealed cartridge, it won't matter. All the ones I've owned have a split race anyway, for ease of installation (you'll still have to clean underneath first though)

Thanks I'll see how I get on, I slipped the old crown back on (it's tight but not as tight as the new one so back on snug enough) everything was sanded, greased, but still. It's practically tapered at the bottom of the fork.

I actually only needed some of the inner rubber washers from the new headset kit so I might be ok. The original set is an integral type head set 1/18 one I believe - with the bearing collars on either side of the inside of the tube if that makes sense.

Seems all tight but if it gets wobbly I might need to try again, just buy another crown on it's own if it's possible.
 

Threevok

Growing old disgracefully
Location
South Wales
As a matter of interest, run you finger on the inside of the steerer and check if it's not been repaired in some way. It shouldn't really have any kind of bulge at the base of the steerer at the crown.
 
Top Bottom