Headset question

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mynydd

Veteran
hi, can anyone help? I thought I'd clean the headset of my Tricross, after a winter of wet commuting.
Trouble is I can seem to reassemble it without the steering becoming very stiff as soon as I tighten the headset bolt.
Could someone look at the two pictures and check I've got everything in the correct order etc. I don't think I've lost anything, but it's a possibility as I was doing it outside in the wind!
Many thanks
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midlife

Guru
Bearings upside down?

Shaun
 
D

Deleted member 23692

Guest
On the LHS photo the black ring with the split in it (4th form the bottom) needs fitting after the the flat back ring with FSA on it, and before the conical spacer

Aslo chec kthe bearings are the correct way round
 
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mynydd

mynydd

Veteran
thanks, im totaly flumoxed. everything seems to fit perfectly, but as soon as i tighten up the nut the steering seazes up!
ive done this job a few times on other bikes, with no problems at all. can anyone see what im missing?
thanks, its driving me bonkers.......
 
....not 100% sure from the 2nd photo, but looks like you've got the lower race (3rd from bottom) positioned above the upper bearing set? If that's the case, remove it from there, and press fit it onto the fork crown recess until it is fully home. The bearings should be placed such that they face inwards, or towards each other, if that makes sense - just remember 'balls in' ^_^. Rest of it looks OK to me.........
 
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mynydd

mynydd

Veteran
Sorry, but you couldn't clarify what the fork crown recess is, for a fool could you?
 

raleighnut

Legendary Member
Both bearings look to be the wrong way up, the steel 'cage' should face into the larger of the 2 'races.(the ones on the bike, not the ones on the fork) but its hard to tell with the focus being out.
EDIT- that means you should be able to see the steel retainer when the bearings are fitted to the bits on the bike.
 
...just had another look, with my 'morning' eyes, and on second thought everything seems to be in the correct order, but check the bearings are facing the correct way.
Tightening the top bolt too much will cause too much preload and seize everything up. You just need a little preload, then tighten the stem bolts to keep everything in place at that preload.
 
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mynydd

mynydd

Veteran
SOLVED
Had given up, had ordered an integrated headset......
Last night I was sweeping my yard, when in amongst a pile of dust I spotted a silver circular piece of metal glinting in the sun. It was a crown race...........
I'd stupidly been reassembling the fork without................ So I had lost a part.
What a fool......
At least I'll now have a spare headset on the shelf when needed.
Thanks for all the help
 
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