Allez headset problems, worn or too tight?

superkenners

Hello, I noticed my steering has been a bit stiff (or not smooth) and having bike on rack today for a bit of a clean noticed that the steering actually locks a bit when facing forward, like its dropping into a groove or something. I don't think its dirt or anything as its very regular, not granular if you get what I mean.

I put a new stem on recently and some carbon spacers so tightened up the headset when I did this but this seems to be a new problem.

Wondering if this meant the headset was shot or something else, like I'd just tightened things up too much? Not quite sure about the mechanics inside.

I have a 2009 Allez Sport with an FSA headset on it (according to the spec its Specialized Mindset, 1-1/8 inch integrated threadless, steel cage bearings, 20mm alloy cone with 10 mm alloy spacer although it says FSA!)

Trying to become a little more competent in these matters but kind of stuck with this one.

Any thoughts much appreciated

mrdoofer

Sounds like your headset is on the way out. Get it sorted out soon, even though the locking causes only slight stiffness it can be quite dangerous when riding.

superkenners

Ah, that was what I feared, will try and get one sorted out.

Out of curiosity what happens when a headset fails? I have to ride 60miles tomorrow with this!

centimani

They don't fail catastrophically, but what you've got is wear that's worn the race at a specific point, most 'failures' will cause exactly your problem. Or maybe the headsets just 'dry', lack of lubricant.
You might get away with removing the bearing races, clean it all up and re-pack with grease.
I have 'saved' a headset that way once, it worked a treat until i sold the bike..probably still going now.

superkenners

will give it a go and see if that works, otherwise a new headset.

Any suggestions?

rafletcher

What type of headset is it? Integrated perhaps? Many modern race bike headsets no longer have serviceable bearings (so you're not able to repack with grease as suggested above) but use sealed units. So see what it says on the headset - FSA often have "names) like Orbit Z, etc. I'm pretty sure the Allez uses a a "drop in" integrated type - there is a seat at the top an botto of the head tube, and the sealed cartridge bearings just drop in - though you may have to replace the seat that is on the fork crown too - this is easy to get off. Make sure of course that any replacement has the same stack height as your original.

The "failure" you have is common - probably more obvious with a slightly overtight headset. It's caused because the headset bearings don't really rotate in the sam way as say the BB, theyt just move left and right a few degrees either side of staright ahead, and spend a long time in the straight ahead position. With road vibration, this causes the bearing balls (usually they're ball bearings, probably angular contact) to dent the bearing races slightly (referred to as "Brinelling", (after the hardeness testing technique where a ball is pressed into metal with a known force, and the diameter of the hole made relates to materlai hardmness - Brinell testiing - but I digress) This Brinelling cuses the notchiness you feel as you turn the bars as the balls dip in and out of the skight depression in the bearing races.