Headset won't tighten?

Sammyw23

Any ideas on this folks:

Last week I moved two 5mm spacers from below stem to above and since then even though I can tighten the headset until it's mega tight the spacers above the stem will still spin round easily?

I have checked the schoolboy error of tightening the stem before headset. I loosened stem right off but no difference to spacer looseness?

Have I missed something elementary??

There is now 20mm of spacers above the stem (which I will get cut now I know I can live with the lower stem height). Could that be contributing?

Hope someone can help to save a trapse to LBS

TA

nicklouse

sounds like you have removed something else and not re fitted it.

sounds like the top cap is bottoming out so not allowing the bearings to be preloaded.

got the gap?

Lagavulin

Do you still have 2-3mm of gap between the steerer and the top of the spacers/stem?

I had to order a selection of new spacers when I dropped the stem on my Allez as it was almost flush with the steerer otherwise and bottomed out with the same affect you describe.

Sammyw23

Yes still got 2-3mm of extra spacer. Checked and I defo put everything back!

Just swapped the 5mm and 10mm spacers around ad it went a bit tighter. Going to give loosening the stem bolts one more try....

nicklouse

the stem is not touching the frame/headset cup on the underside?

amaferanga

Is there 2-3mm extra after its been tightened? Have you removed the headset cap with the stem bolts tightened to check this?

Sammyw23

I moved the spacers around, loosened the stem again and gave the top bolt one more squeeze and it seems to have done the trick. I do feel like I have had to yank the bolt more than I should to tighten though.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Much appreciated