Headset help please

chris_mk

Hi All

Just done a fork swop on my bike, all went ok crown race fitted fine etc etc to the new fork. However I have play in the headset and can't seem to figure out why. I just can't seem to get it to tighten up no matter what I do.

Headset is a superstar reducer which is fairly new and not worn. The fork is sitting fine in the frame, bearings are fine but after fitting spacers, stem, top cap it still has play in it.

Only thing I'm not sure on at the top of the headset, fork goes through top bearing and there is a metal ring a little like a cir clip which goes over the fork and I assume sits down between the fork tube and the top bearing and I'm not sure this is sitting right inside the gap between the fork and bearing if that makes sense.

Any thoughts and suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

nicklouse

you have a gap between the top of the steerer and the top of the stem?


and you are tightening the top cab before the stem bolts?

Andy!

The top part you mention is like the crown race at the bottom and will expand into the bearing taper when tightened. Double check you have the bearings in the right way and the split ring is sitting in the top bearing properly.

Not seen the headset you have but if it's like the tapered one the order should be from top down:

Cap and bolt
Stem and spacer
Upper cosmetic parts with rubber lip seal
Thin shim (if you have it)
Split ring - narrow part pointing down in mirror image to the crown race
Upper bearing - inner taper up, lower down
Upper cup
Frame
Lower cup
Lower bearing - outer taper up, lower down
Crown ring

Only other thing is incorrect setting up as Nick says.

chris_mk

Hi thanks for the replies so far.

I do have a gap between stem and steerer tube. The bearings are sealed and are fitted as follows

Bottom one is tapered it's sitting on top of the crown race with the tapered part facing up into the frame. Top bearing is tapered and the tapered part is facing down into the frame.

The metal split ring is facing down and sits between the bearing and steerer tube, is it this part that will push down as it's tightened?

Have I put these bits in correct?

Andy!

yup. With your stem bolts undone you need to use the top cap to pre-load the headset and push it all together. Then tighten the stem clamp bolts and back off the top cap a touch (1/4 turn).

That is the way I was shown to do it.