Steering issue

[BigonaBianchi]

When I had my bianchi up on the stand today I noticed that the front wheel/steering 'locks' into place dead centre and I have to push it past the centre position to go left or right...If I just nudge it left or right the steerer defaults to th edead centre position. Never noticed it before....erm....is it safe...whats happened...can I fix it....how do I fix it???

 

[marzjennings]

Sounds like your bearings have pitted the races. Leaving small divot's where the ball bearings are settling. Can happen over time with older headsets or with headsets that have been over tightened. Not really dangerous, it just means your steering is not really smooth.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

Cool cheers mate!...erm..I mean Buddy

 

[fossyant]

SIS bearings, where have you been !!

 

[BigonaBianchi]

I just looked up how to replace them on bike doctor app...I'll get some bearings and give it a go.

 

[PatrickPending]

If its the races, then new bearings probably won't help. See what condition they are in when you service the headset, mind you if its a sealed bearing .....its hard to say without knowing the headset type....give it a go.....

 

[mickle]

Unless your headset has replaceable cartridge bearings you need a new headset.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

 

[BigonaBianchi]

 

[BigonaBianchi]

I took it all apart...gave it all a good clean...then took a trip around four LBS's....not one of them had the replacement part ...only two were prepared to order it in, the other two just shugged their shoulders and said they cant help as they were specialized and trek dealers..

Any way so...I've reassembled it all swapping the top and bottom bearing rings around...it's still 'lumpy' but not sticking in th ecentre position.

Looks like new headset time??

 

[Ian H]

Yes. You can buy time by moving the 'notch' away from normal stereing movement (as you've apparently done), but new headset required.

 

[mickle]

It should by noted that the cause of this damage is overtightning.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

It should by noted that the cause of this damage is overtightning.

That is something I hadnt considered...I had assumed it should tighten it as far as I could without breaking the thread?...

 

[Svendo]

The pitting can also be caused by collisions. There is a partial solution on Sheldon, especially if the bearings have 'caged' balls. This is to remove the cage and repack the bearing with loose balls, so that they will no longer automatically match up with the dents in the races. I've managed to do this with the 'sealed' cartridge bearings in my integrated headset.
I have now got some new cartridges (cane creek from Chain reaction) but will first need to remove the bottom race of the lower cartridge which has corroded onto the fork . I think some delicate hacksawing will be required.

 

[mickle]

The pitting can also be caused by collisions. There is a partial solution on Sheldon, especially if the bearings have 'caged' balls. This is to remove the cage and repack the bearing with loose balls, so that they will no longer automatically match up with the dents in the races. I've managed to do this with the 'sealed' cartridge bearings in my integrated headset.
I have now got some new cartridges (cane creek from Chain reaction) but will first need to remove the bottom race of the lower cartridge which has corroded onto the fork . I think some delicate hacksawing will be required.

Collisions? I don't think so.