Headset loose? - OLD mtb
- Thread starter CorsairC
- Start date
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- Location
- the post-brexit wasteland
yes. is it an old threaded style quill stem or an aheadset type?
if it's a quill stem you may as well take it to a bike shop if you don't have headset spanners. it's a two minute job that a decent shop won't charge much for (mine charged me nowt).
an aheadset type requires you to loosen the bolts clamping the stem to the fork, then tighten the nut on top slowly until the rocking stops but the bars turn smoothly. then retighten the stem bolts.
if the bearings have gone, the above fixes won't work, and a bike shop is possibly the best option.
if it's a quill stem you may as well take it to a bike shop if you don't have headset spanners. it's a two minute job that a decent shop won't charge much for (mine charged me nowt).
an aheadset type requires you to loosen the bolts clamping the stem to the fork, then tighten the nut on top slowly until the rocking stops but the bars turn smoothly. then retighten the stem bolts.
if the bearings have gone, the above fixes won't work, and a bike shop is possibly the best option.
PpPete
Legendary Member
- Location
- Chandler's Ford
Some of them never seem to stay in place.
You actually need two spanners, as there is one hex that tightens the top race down onto the balls, and another which is a lock nut. And there should be a thin tabbed washer between them which engages with a shallow slot on the steerer tube. Any of those components missing ?
Make sure the LBS tightens the locknut hard whilst holding the race with t'other spanner.
Chances are, if you do it with one spanner, the locknut will either not be tight enough, or it will have dragged the top race round until it's too tight.
Depending on whether your LBS charges .... these are quite adequate spanners, and will also fit some old fashioned BB cups/lockrings
You actually need two spanners, as there is one hex that tightens the top race down onto the balls, and another which is a lock nut. And there should be a thin tabbed washer between them which engages with a shallow slot on the steerer tube. Any of those components missing ?
Make sure the LBS tightens the locknut hard whilst holding the race with t'other spanner.
Chances are, if you do it with one spanner, the locknut will either not be tight enough, or it will have dragged the top race round until it's too tight.
Depending on whether your LBS charges .... these are quite adequate spanners, and will also fit some old fashioned BB cups/lockrings
PpPete
Legendary Member
- Location
- Chandler's Ford
Front braking shouldnt be a factor.
Take the bits apart and make sure they are clean and lightly greased before re-assembling.
Also check the locknut isnt "bottoming-out"on the steerer tube before it tightens on the race.
An extra 1 mm spacer will usually fix it if that's the problem.
Take the bits apart and make sure they are clean and lightly greased before re-assembling.
Also check the locknut isnt "bottoming-out"on the steerer tube before it tightens on the race.
An extra 1 mm spacer will usually fix it if that's the problem.
