Headset help

dhooper7

There's a lot of play up front after a week in the Alps. I've tried cleaning and pre-loading but no better.

Time for a new headset I think.

Bike is a 2011 Specialized Enduro.

I've never replaced a headset on a tapered integrated headtube before so just wanting to confirm I'm buying the right one...

Here's a picture of the removed headset.

The race is still on the fork steerer. Should I also replace this?

Would a Nukeproof Warhead 44-56IITS do the job?

Any other suggestions?

pesky_jones

I'm not sure you'd need to replace the race - the new headset would just sit on top of it wouldnt it? Are the bearings gone?

You might of just needed to undo stem bolts, tighten star cup and retighten stem bolts.

nicklouse

new headset new race,

but just take the bearings to a bearing shop and spend pence. or read the info on the bearings and google it. or see what it says on the top cover and then get the info from the FSA headset book.

cooldad

The crown race is headset specific so if you replace the headset with a different one you need to replace it as well.

jairaj

agree with Nick. Chances are you just need to replace the bearings and it'll be back to normal.

And go to a bearing shop not a bike shop, other wise you'll just end up paying a fortune

dhooper7

Pesky Jones wrote:

You might of just needed to undo stem bolts, tighten star cup and retighten stem bolts.

Already tried this...

Okay, so if I stick with the FSA headset and replace the bearings how do I go about this. Would a bearing shop replace the whole cartridge or open it up and replace the individual ball bearings inside?

I can't seem to find a bearing code written on the cartridges...

I doubt this, but is there a chance the headtube could be damaged?

nicklouse

no they dont change the balls.

what info is on the top cover?

dhooper7

nicklouse wrote:

what info is on the top cover?

FSA H2247A

From what I can see from this catalogue that is just a part number for the top cover

dhooper7

Is the item one from the right part of my frame or part of the headset?

pesky_jones

I assumed that was the bottom cup, with the one on the furthest right being the bearing that sat inside that cup.

dhooper7

Top bearing is TH-870 (yellow seal)

Top bearing is TH-970 (black seal)

£11 each. Go for it over a new headset then?

Chunkers1980

Each? £22 in total?

A new decent headset is £17.50.

Depends if you have the tools to fit and remove the cups and race.

dhooper7

Chunkers1980 wrote:

Each? £22 in total?

Depends if you have the tools to fit and remove the cups and race.

£22 for both.

No cups to fit. Integrated tapered headtube

dhooper7

Measured all the parts and can now confirm it's an FSA No.42

Thanks for not telling me Specialized :roll:

Will weigh up the cost of buying a new headset vs. bearings

Thanks for your help guys

dhooper7

Ordered the bearings only to find that one of them is 1.5mm taller than the original.

Rung specialized only to be told it's a custom made headset by FSA and has to be ordered from them, £40.