Front fork has slight play when i brake

mikeyj28
mikeyj28 Posts: 754
edited February 2011 in MTB workshop & tech
Hi all

I changed my stem today and since putting the new one on i have got some very slight play when i brake. It is as though the fork stem has not been secured correctly.

All i did was pull off the 3 spacers and slide down the new stem then put the 3 spacers back on top and secure the stem in place.

Maybe i need to force the stem and the spacers down more but then again i tried it and it didn't work.
Nothing is worn out/perished.

Any suggestions guys as i'm pretty certain that my LBS would sort it in 1 minute but its hassle in dragging my bike down there to fix.

Thanks all
Constantly trying to upgrade my parts.It is a long road ahead as things are so expensive for little gain. n+1 is always the principle in my mind.

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    sounds like you have a stem with a smaller stack height.

    http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-hel ... et-service

    got the gap between the steerer and the top cap.

    fork11.jpg
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • cavegiant
    cavegiant Posts: 1,546
    loosen all the bolts and wiggle things around a bit.

    The top bolt is a compression nut. it pulls the frame tight on to the fork.

    Tighten it half a turn, with brakes on rock back and forth to check for wobble repeat until tight.

    then tighten stem bolts.

    easy mistake, and easy to fix.
    Why would I care about 150g of bike weight, I just ate 400g of cookies while reading this?
  • Andy!
    Andy! Posts: 433
    aye sounds like you haven't used the top bolt to get the bearing pre-load before tightening the stem bolts.
    Merlin Malt 2
  • mikeyj28
    mikeyj28 Posts: 754
    Ahhh thanks guys

    I think you've got it sorted for me! By the way reagrding the stack height in the picture above Are there spacers that are approx 1-2mm as there is a tiny bit of a gap as my new stem seems to be slightly smaller in height.

    Thanks for your help with this-much appreciated!
    Constantly trying to upgrade my parts.It is a long road ahead as things are so expensive for little gain. n+1 is always the principle in my mind.
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    yes, many sizes.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • The Northern Monkey
    The Northern Monkey Posts: 19,174
    CRC do a nukeproof 2mm headset spacer. I had to get one for my new stem :)
    Santa Cruz Butcher
  • mikeyj28
    mikeyj28 Posts: 754
    Thank you for your help everyone

    Much appreciated!!
    Constantly trying to upgrade my parts.It is a long road ahead as things are so expensive for little gain. n+1 is always the principle in my mind.

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