Sand... in the headset?

danhx

Took my (someone let me know what this is really called!) headset top off today to take the stem off and grease to solve a creak and found that underneath the cap was full of sand (lots of the trails round here are sandy)! It must have got in when I washed the bike upside down (wont do that again!), though slots in the (again, let me know what this bit is called!) circular bit that sits in the top of the forks. Anyway, cleaned it all out, as well as taking off the forks and cleaning everything else and then packed it with grease, and regreased all the other bits.

a) is this normal?
b) is it my fault for washing the bike upside down?
c) did I do the right thing packing it with grease so theres no space for anything to get in?
d) does anyone know where I can buy assorted size stainless/alloy nuts, as the one in the headset was rusting and I'd like to swap it for something that won't.

nicklouse

have a read of parktools for servicing.

bolt is standard size so a bolt shop.


some headsets are not as well sealed as others.