Headset play

Girth

Hi,
I had some play in the headset bottom bearing of my Madone 5.9 so I have just put some new bearings in.
I tightened the top cap and I am still finding some play. I retightened and although it's getting better I am up to about 12nm on the top cap and starting to think the problem is elsewhere. Bearings are right, reassembled everything right, anyone any ideas what the problem is?
Cheers!

mamba80

Girth wrote:

Hi,
I had some play in the headset bottom bearing of my Madone 5.9 so I have just put some new bearings in.
I tightened the top cap and I am still finding some play. I retightened and although it's getting better I am up to about 12nm on the top cap and starting to think the problem is elsewhere. Bearings are right, reassembled everything right, anyone any ideas what the problem is?
Cheers!

Well, you need to make sure that the stem bolts are loosened, you also need to make sure that the fork tube, is about 3mm lower than the top of the stem or spacer, otherwise the Ahead headset cannot tighten down on the bearing.

have a look on the Park tools website for more info.

12nm is ridiculous !

balthazar

Are the stem bolts loosened, while you're tightening the top cap? (Is the stem free to move on the steerer?)

jermas

It could be that the bung (inside the top of the steerer ) is being pulled up and touching the top cap. At 12nm the steering would be jammed if everything was fitted correctly.

Girth

Cheers everyone.
Jermas you were spot on. I read your reply, slapped myself on the forehead and went to check the bike. Sure enough when I stripped it down again the bung was loose. All tightened up and pasted back in the steerer and headset is solid now.

jermas

Nice one. Thanks.

svetty

Sometimes you need a shim on top of the upper headset bearing to ensure that the bearing cover is pressing on the bearing race and not the headtube......