Headset working loose

Rhods
Rhods Posts: 400
edited March 2009 in Workshop
Hi

As the topic suggessts really. It used to be just on rough roads, now it happens a little more often. It is an FSA threadless (not sure which one sorry). I have tried to tighten it by screwing the top screw first (as tight as i can) then the bottom screw on the stem then the top one.

When i open it up after it comes loose, the metal piece which goes into the top of the steerer (into which you screw the top screw) always seems to work itself up to the top of the stem, despite the fact that I can't tighten it any more.

Has anyone got any ideas of how I can solve this problem?

Thanks

Comments

  • k-dog
    k-dog Posts: 1,652
    The top cap doesn't need to be tight (in fact it doesn't need to be there at all after you have set the tension).

    Not sure what your problem is exactly but just you need to make sure that your stem is clamped tightly to the steerer - that's what keeps everything in place.
    I'm left handed, if that matters.
  • pjm-84
    pjm-84 Posts: 819
    I have the same problem . The expander works loose and it rattles nicely every so often. The LBS has suggested bonding it into the carbon fork steerer
    Paul
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    the stem bolts should be done up a bit at a time or you end up with one tight and one not so tight.

    a bit more info on the other parts.

    maybe get the LBS to check how tight you are doing up the wedge?
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • synchronicity
    synchronicity Posts: 1,415
    Sounds like you need to get a better expander plug... there are different kinds.
    You can also try using blue loctite to fix it temporarliy in place.
    vertebr.ae | precision braking & shifting
  • pjm-84
    pjm-84 Posts: 819
    Here's the one I have......

    http://www.windwave.co.uk/windwave/FOA0020.html


    I mentioned about swapping it and as it's branded and supplied with the frame / forks they suggested the bonding option.
    Paul
  • Rhods
    Rhods Posts: 400
    Thanks for the replies

    From the name, I guess it's the "expander plug" I was having problems with. I have tightened it up now in a final attempt to try and solve the problem, just in case i was doing something wrong earlier. If this doesn't work, it's back to the LBS - it's only about a month old so I should imagine the warranty should cover it.

    Thanks again.
  • andyrr
    andyrr Posts: 1,823
    What I'd do (in fact did this last night as I detected some movement in my headset)

    Loosen stem bolts
    Loosen expander bolt.
    Check that there is now some (more) play in the headset/fork.
    Drop the fork down the headtube - need to pull the stem up the fork column and persuade the forks downwards to allow this to be done.
    Apply some grease to headset bearings top and bottom.
    Push frame back down the length of the fork column fairly snuggly.
    Start gently tightening the expander bolt - when it is reasonably tight I then give the bike a bit of a rock back and forward, feeling for some play/movement.
    Also raise front end of bike off the ground and turn bars a little - should still feel smooth and light to turn.
    Tighten expander a little more, checking for forward/back movement on the headset/fork as well as continued light and fairly easy turning of the bars.
    If the headset starts feeling rough or tight as you have continued to tighten the expander then loosen a touch.
    If it is difficult to get a nice balancing of near to no play and smooth bearing feel then the headset bearings may be goosed but yours are new enough that this shouldn't be an issue.

    In the past I had a 1" full carbon fork on a bike that I could not get the stem to remain tight on and the headset would quickly become loose.
    I wanted to keep that stem so I ended swapping an ali-fork and it was fine. I was scared of tightening the stem and expander bolts mega tight for fear of damaging anything.
  • Rhods
    Rhods Posts: 400
    All components are aluminium so fear of overtightening is not the problem.

    Andyrr - when you said the fork should take some persuading, I got a bit worried. The moment I losen the stem bolts and top screw, the for steerer/fork just flies down through the headtube! Is that usual?

    I haven't got the bike with me, however I was convinced I'd solved it last night after removing the stem and tightening the expander plug properly, then replacing everything. Time will tell I suppose!

    Thanks again.
  • andyrr
    andyrr Posts: 1,823
    If the forks just drop down then I don't see that as an issue - some I've had dropped on their own, others I've have to tap with a mallet.
  • ride_whenever
    ride_whenever Posts: 13,279
    from the sounds of things you might be missing a bit.

    Could you whip it apart and take some pics?
    Neeermad
    Carbon 456
    456 lefty
    Pompino
    White Inbred
  • Rhods
    Rhods Posts: 400
    If I have any more problems, I will take some pics and post - going to try it like this to see how it goes. Will try to go out on sunday (but it depends on how big a hangover i'm nursing after the rugby!) and see what happens.

    By the way, how do you post pics? It photobucket (or similar site) the only way?

    Thanks.

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