Headset clean and lube

mattyg2004
mattyg2004 Posts: 196
edited November 2011 in MTB workshop & tech
I've had my spark indoors for the last few days and I've just gone to move it and the bars offered a fair bit more resistance than usual and I can feel it. I've given them a good wiggle and they've freed off loads but can still feel friction.

I've had a look around the bottom bearing and there seems to be some rust marks. (thats the last time I let a mate use the pressure washer on my bike whilst I get the car)

So my question is. As they are pressed in (scott spark 30) to the carbon whats the easiest way to clean and re grease/lube.


Cheers
Matt

Comments

  • 1mancity2
    1mancity2 Posts: 2,355
    Take the stem off, release the fork, pop the bearings out clean the inside of the cups/ headset and the bearings regrease, assemble, done.
    Finished, Check out my custom Giant Reign 2010
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  • Do I need to press them back in or can it all be done with fingers and thumbs. Once I've undone the bars
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    Should be able to do it by hand.
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  • 1mancity2
    1mancity2 Posts: 2,355
    Your only taking the bearings out, they will be tight but should come out by hand as cooldad says.
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  • You know when it goes wrong I'm coming back and blaming somebody else but me dont ya :lol:

    I'll report back

    EDIT: oops forgot to say Thanks :oops:
  • 1mancity2
    1mancity2 Posts: 2,355
    Just take your time.
    Finished, Check out my custom Giant Reign 2010
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  • Well that job turned to sh*t.

    Got bearings out nice and easy. Degreased, got my cloth started to rub and one fell apart bearings all over the show. :oops: Found all but 1. :evil:

    Off to LBS and slightly FABS and no joy. Stoopid plastic bike.

    Ok trying to source some 45/45x41 press in bearings for a ritchey headset.....By the weekend....lol


    Leisure lakes couldnt match and said they were different to the hope ones.

    Interwebs here I come
  • delcol
    delcol Posts: 2,848
    are they not sealed bearings in your headset....

    i had my old rockymountain hardtail do something simlar i was riding (very wet and muddy) i went to turn the bars and they would not turn then there was a locud crack and they moved the steering was horrible and choppy. i checked when i got home and i to could see rust..
    i stripped the headset down to find the bearings had gone rusty i regreased them and cleaned the headset up. but it happened again within a few weeks... i ended up swapping my headset for a fsa one with sealed (cartridge style) bearings... that head set is still going strong now 4 years later.....

    i would change the headset for a canecreek hope or chrisking one......
  • They looked sealed until it opened up (couldnt see the bearings until it came apart)
    Its a semi Intergrated headset so not an easyswap.

    I've cleaned and regreased and put back together albeit missing one Ickle ball bearing. It feels better than it was. Just got to find someone that has them in stock now.

    Hopefully before it goes again.

    May get a couple of sets now though.
  • Neal_
    Neal_ Posts: 477
    Google search has found a couple of places that appear to have them in stock

    http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/ritch ... pair-.html or http://www.slanecycles.com/ritchey-wcs- ... rrency=GBP

    Alternatively if you know the size of the loose bearings you could order some and replace them in the cartridges.

    http://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/Loose+ ... index.html
  • More often than not its just as cheap to get a new headset than replace the bearings, then just swap the bearings over!
    ive found with a lot of bearings that they leave the factory with a light smear of grease on them, i normally use a very fine point and pop the rubber seals off and pack them with waterproof grease till it squirts out when the seals are pushed back on!

    you may find that the bearing will work fine minus one ball, but if its fallen apart like you sedscribe it wont take much to kill it again!
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  • Neal_ wrote:
    Google search has found a couple of places that appear to have them in stock

    http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/ritch ... pair-.html or http://www.slanecycles.com/ritchey-wcs- ... rrency=GBP

    Alternatively if you know the size of the loose bearings you could order some and replace them in the cartridges.

    http://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/Loose+ ... index.html


    Cheers Neal,

    I had ordered some from slane but after a phone call to confirm they were out of stock. I'd never heard of "Pedal on" But after a quick phone call looks like I've found a new Etailer. thanks

    P.s he said he has loads in. I bought 2 sets But almost bought 4.
    More often than not its just as cheap to get a new headset than replace the bearings, then just swap the bearings over!
    ive found with a lot of bearings that they leave the factory with a light smear of grease on them, i normally use a very fine point and pop the rubber seals off and pack them with waterproof grease till it squirts out when the seals are pushed back on!

    you may find that the bearing will work fine minus one ball, but if its fallen apart like you sedscribe it wont take much to kill it again!

    We tried that but couldn't find any to match.

    I'm sure I had read somewhere though that the HOPE bearings were A: The best & B: the same. Now I've got some spares I'll spend some time investigating for future use.

    Cheers to everyone.

    Especially those who helped at the start. Another job I've done myself. This fixing the bike myself might catch on. :lol:
  • Neal_
    Neal_ Posts: 477
    Good stuff, glad you got it sorted. I've bought from Pedal On and they're decent.

    My headset is making nasty noises today and that's after servicing it at the end of August, also each bearing race has about 27 loose tiny bearings that fall inside the down tube :( At least I have some new stainless balls to replace the rubbish ones that are in it now.
  • 1mancity2
    1mancity2 Posts: 2,355
    Just a likkle note, if your going to do it regular get yourself a magnetic tray, should stop you fiddling with your balls!!

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=14433
    Finished, Check out my custom Giant Reign 2010
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  • Neal_
    Neal_ Posts: 477
    That's a good idea actually, I'm a bit cack handed though so I might get the wife to help when I'm next rummaging with my balls.
  • 1mancity2 wrote:
    Just a likkle note, if your going to do it regular get yourself a magnetic tray, should stop you fiddling with your balls!!

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=14433


    I've got one for when working on the cars used to stick it a wing or the bonnet. But I can't get the damn thing to stick to my plastic bike :lol:


    Thanks to Neal, I have received from "pedal on" 2 sets of headset bearings some spare hangers some lizard skins cable rub patches thingies and some mt500 shorts.

    Thanks to Neal I'm skint :lol:

    But able to ride the bike so am appy
  • 1mancity2
    1mancity2 Posts: 2,355
    Job done, go ride.....
    Finished, Check out my custom Giant Reign 2010
    Dirt Jumper Dmr Sidekick2