Rusty liquid around Head Tube

shooter999

Hi Everyone

Bought a 2nd hand bike recently and was out in the rain on the weekend.

When I came home and went to wash the bike, I noticed a rusty liquid around the head tube area (coming from the spacers below the stem).

I'd previously changed the stem on the bike and couldn't see any rust etc on the steerer tube.

Any ideas what this could be and how to fix it?

The bike is a Carbon TREK Madone 5.9 2013 model.

darkhairedlord

headset corroded

shooter999

darkhairedlord wrote:

headset corroded

That sounds serious!

I wouldn't have thought a carbon bike would rust?

sungod

the headset bearings are metal

if grease is all gone and/or damaged seals, it goes rusty

fit a new headset (or maybe just the bearings)

have a look at the area above the fork as well, probably similar

bikes`n`guns

Oooh I have the same bike and just noticed the same thing.

Will have to look deeper when I get home. I originally thought it was grease.

shooter999

Bikes`n`guns wrote:

Oooh I have the same bike and just noticed the same thing.

Will have to look deeper when I get home. I originally thought it was grease.

Hopefully you're more mechanically minded than me and know what you're doing!!

Can you post back?

lesfirth

I had a similar problem.When I pulled it apart I expected to find the lower bearing knackered but it was only the bearing outer rusting. The actual bearing was OK. I cleaned it up and smeared some copper grease around it. Cost negligible.

Bobbinogs

I find a simple way of stopping water ingress into the headset bearing is to just add a small square piece of insulation tape over the bolt on the screwcap. I have been really surprised just how much this has helped to keep things dry below.

ddraver

That's an great tip Bobo, I ll try that

Happened to me too, I just pulled it apart and gave it a good clean and it was fine. I think part of the trouble is that water can sit there, even when the bike is stored inside....

shooter999

Hi everyone

I took it all apart this morning, cleaned it up and regreased it all. I've attached some pictures of what it all looked like.

Do I need to replace the bearings and if I do, can anyone advise which ones I need ?

https://flickr.com/photos/77552172@N05/sets/72157666874227401

Thanks for all replies.

dj58

You only need to replace them if they are rough/noisey and they no longer rotate smoothly. Measure the inside, outside dia. and height of both bearings, the bearing part numbers are screen onto the outer race of the bearing. looks like they are TH Industries 36 or 45 degree ACB 1. 1/8 - 1.1/4 or 1.1/2 integrated.

http://www.fullspeedahead.com/wp-conten ... -Sheet.pdf
http://www.fullspeedahead.com/product-c ... t_type=677

You can buy them from here
http://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/Produc ... index.html

shooter999

DJ58 wrote:

You only need to replace them if they are rough/noisey and they no longer rotate smoothly. Measure the inside, outside dia. and height of both bearings, the bearing part numbers are screen onto the outer race of the bearing. looks like they are TH Industries 36 or 45 degree ACB 1. 1/8 - 1.1/4 or 1.1/2 integrated.

http://www.fullspeedahead.com/wp-conten ... -Sheet.pdf
http://www.fullspeedahead.com/product-c ... t_type=677

You can buy them from here
http://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/Produc ... index.html

Thanks for the really helpful reply.

They're not rough or noisy, just look a bit scabby, particularly the top one.

shooter999

I've had a look on cane creek and it tells me I need:

Upper Headset: IS 41 / 28.6
Lower Headset: IS 52 / 40

This means nothing to me and may as well be in Chinese! Can anyone decipher this and point me in the right direction as to what bearings I need?

Thanks

dj58

That does not help. If you look on the bearings there will be a part number for example my bike uses a tapered steerer tube, the top bearing is 1-1/8" and the bottom bearing is 1-1/4". It is an FSA similar to the one in your photo's.

This is what you are looking for

Top Bearing. TH Industries 1–1/8” ACB 45⁰ x 45⁰ 870# Compatible W/Campy AE
Bottom Bearing. TH Industries 1–1/4" ACB 45⁰ x 45⁰ 970# CrMo

If I type TH-870 and TH-970 into the Simply Bearings website
http://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/p18585 ... _info.html
http://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/p18595 ... _info.html

That gives me the bearing dimensions, hope that helps.

shooter999

DJ58 wrote:

That does not help. If you look on the bearings there will be a part number for example my bike uses a tapered steerer tube, the top bearing is 1-1/8" and the bottom bearing is 1-1/4". It is an FSA similar to the one in your photo's.

This is what you are looking for

Top Bearing. TH Industries 1–1/8” ACB 45⁰ x 45⁰ 870# Compatible W/Campy AE
Bottom Bearing. TH Industries 1–1/4" ACB 45⁰ x 45⁰ 970# CrMo

If I type TH-870 and TH-970 into the Simply Bearings website
http://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/p18585 ... _info.html
http://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/p18595 ... _info.html

That gives me the bearing dimensions, hope that helps.

Thanks for taking the time to reply, unfortunately the part numbers have been corroded away

dj58

OK, in that case I'd take the bearings to a local bike shop or bearing stockist and see if they can match them for you, you could also try contacting TREK and ask if they can supply you with the headset/bearings specs.

dj58

http://archive.trekbikes.com/us/en/2013 ... ct/details

Spec. says it is an integrated 1-1/8" - 1.5" I think it could be this
http://www.fullspeedahead.com/products/ ... -headset/#
http://www.fullspeedahead.com/wp-conten ... 42-ACB.pdf

http://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/p18561 ... _info.html

http://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/p18566 ... _info.html

itboffin

pack it out with a good thick grease it'll be fine for ages

shooter999

Dj58 - once again, thanks for the replies.

Itboffin - any recommendations on what would be a good grease?

dgunthor

Shooter999 wrote:

Dj58 - once again, thanks for the replies.

Itboffin - any recommendations on what would be a good grease?

most lithium etc greases fine, car grease from halfords / motor factors too. can get marine grease which is waterproof but a little more expensive

keef66

itboffin wrote:

pack it out with a good thick grease it'll be fine for ages

That was my feeling after looking at the pics. Looks like external corrosion only. If they still feel smooth when you turn them in your fingers I'd leave the seals intact, polish up the external steel with a bit of wire wool followed by some metal polish, then give them a coating of grease before popping them back in.

itboffin

Yep pretty much any cheap arse lithium grease for a few quid from halfords or the like will do, slap it on in there and just mope up the overflow

bikes`n`guns

Checked mine today and the lower bearing was screwed.

Cleaned it all out and fitted a new lower. Simply water lying on top of it and rusting the bearing cage.