Grinding headset

msw
msw Posts: 313
edited June 2009 in The workshop
My handlebars aren't turning smoothly: When I turn them with no weight on the bike I can feel a series of jerks, as if something is hopping in and out of alignment or (more likely I suppose) bumping over bearings. It goes away when I loosen the fixing bolt but then I'm afraid my forks are going to fall out.

I am an inveterate overtightener, forever shearing off bolts. Have I overtightened the headset and mangled the bearings? How do I find out? Is it recoverable?

cheers all
M
"We're not holding up traffic. We are traffic."

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    sounds like you have over tightened the headset.

    new headset time.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • msw
    msw Posts: 313
    nicklouse wrote:
    sounds like you have over tightened the headset.

    new headset time.

    LBS confirms (although they kindly claimed it was "wear and tear, though the overtightening won't have helped"). Bugger.

    Well, I had 5 years on London roads out of it I suppose. Always cheering to think how much I would have spent on parts for a car in that time.
    "We're not holding up traffic. We are traffic."
  • manick0de
    manick0de Posts: 202
    You can pick up a cheap headset for under £15.

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