Gritty headset

pilsburypie

Hello again all - been off the saddle and forum now for the best part of a year due to the birth of my son, sleepless nights and above all laziness. Getting back on it now and the realisation of my incredibly poor fitness kicks in!

Got my 2011 Lappiere Zesty from the garage and noticed when I turn the bars they feel gritty. Went on a ride wondering if lack of use was the issue and they are still the same. Took the headset apart, got out the bearings, the lower one seemed fire, but the top one was full of sh1t. Spent ages taking it apart, cleaning, regreasing, but after all my effort it still feels the same.

What do you recon I should do? Is it likely to be the bearings? Should I just get new ones? Will this cure it?

Also, how tight should I do the bolt at the top? (the one that holds it all together? I did it tight as I could - is this right?

chez_m356

pilsburypie wrote:

What do you recon I should do? Is it likely to be the bearings? Should I just get new ones? Will this cure it?

Also, how tight should I do the bolt at the top? (the one that holds it all together? I did it tight as I could - is this right?

new bearings never hurt, and the bolt shouldn't really need to be much more than finger tight really

stubs

New bearings are needed especially now that you have probably crushed the bearings doing the cap bolt up too tight Depending on which headset you have they shouldnt be too expensive but be careful there are dozens of different headset standards make sure you have the right ones.

Dont worry your not the first to do it and definitely wont be the last all the bolt does is take up play in the headset as chez says finger tight is all that it should be. Once the stem bolts are done up the cap bolt doesnt do anything its just a pre load you could actually remove it (some weight weenies do) but then the steerer tube will fill up with crud. Have a look in FAQs at the head of this forum and you can find all you need on the Park tools website.

pilsburypie

Thanks for that - next question, where is a good place to get headset bearings from? Are they standard or bike specific?

edit: Just seen your reply stubs. If they weren't already fubar'd then I have probably finished them off!

The Rookie

Good place to get bearings from is a bike shop, you can take the bike as well so get the right ones, alternatively find out what you have and get the right one!

Parktools will help you find the standard (external, semi-integrated (most likely) or integrated (doubtful), then you just need to ID cartridge or loose (or caged) balls or semi-cartridge...photo's are a great help.

pilsburypie

Cheers

I shall get the bearings out this evening - They had quite a long number stamped on the casing - hopefully this should id the exact replacements. Wish I'd noted this down when I had the whole thing apart last night now!

stubs

If they have a number on you can google or ebay the number but its not quite as simple as all that the bearings also have a chamfered edge and you need to know the angle if thats not on the bearing it is a case of a bike shop and fingers crossed they have them in stock or can get them. What headset is it we might be able to point you in right direction if its a common size or brand.