Creaking from handelbar / stem post.

[mick1836]

I'm getting a creaking noise from where the handelbar stem clamps over the handelbar and the question I ask is should there be some sort of gasket or packing at this point or should it be metal to metal?

 

[Sharky]

Usually metal to metal. But creaks often come from other areas and very difficult to pin point. Last year I had a creak and I greased the QR skewer and the creak went. And more recently I had a creak which a bike expert traced to the forks them selves. They were aluminium and were just flexing and making the noise. Was lucky that I spotted some carbon forks going cheap at planet-x for £39. So I managed to get rid of the creak and upgrade the bike at the same time.

If you have a second front wheel try swapping the wheel to see if the creak stays or goes.

Good luck
Keith

 

[Adam4868]

You sure thats where the noise is from,had similar and it was the headset creaking.

 

[Moodyman]

creaks can come from anywhere, and often the source is not where you thought it was from. I tend to take a few things off, clean re-grease and then take a test ride in my street. If no good, take the next two/three things off and try again. Often end up going through the whole bike before it quietens.

 

[ColinJ]

Don't ignore it!

 

[lpretro1]

Remove bar clamp bolts, clean, grease and refit to correct torque - often sorts problem

 

[mick1836]

Thanks for the replies,
Definitely from where the handlebar clamps to the stem, creaking noise only when pedalling and when BOTH hans on bar if I pedal with one hand off it stops.

 

[Adam4868]

So if you stand over the bike (when not pedaling) and put pressure on handlebars does it creak ? Id still take a guess at headset ?

 

[Brommyboy]

My touring bike bars have creaked since new, and still do this after nearly 20 years. I no longer hear the creak!

 

[mick1836]

Undid the stem clamp to find a grey coloured 'grease' which I presume is where I sprayed in WD40 thats mixed with aluminium dust? cleaned off creak stopped.