Headset question

mrb123
mrb123 Posts: 4,844
edited August 2016 in Workshop
Just a quick question regarding an FSA Orbit integrated headset.

There is a small washer in the headset which seems to be loose and therefore I think is the cause of an irritating rattle when I ride over bumpy ground.

The washer is split, so the two metal ends don't quite meet up flush with each other. It is located towards the top of the headset, the bolt goes through it and it sits inside the upper metal cup part under the top cap.

I can't really see that the washer serves any purpose and I'm wondering if I should take it out and thereby hopefully cure the rattle. Obviously I don't want to remove it if it's a vital part!

Any advice gratefully received! Thanks.

Comments

  • keezx
    keezx Posts: 1,323
    That washer must be on the top bearing and below the top sealing cap.
    Fixes the steerer in the bearing.
    Maybe yours is upside down?
  • sungod
    sungod Posts: 17,496
    "the bolt goes through it"

    eh?

    the split race goes over the steerer and into the bearing, it centres the steerer tube in the bearing, the cone spacer goes over that, then zero or more spacers, then the stem, then maybe a thin spacer, then the top cap into which a bolt goes

    there's no washer that belongs under the top cap
    my bike - faster than god's and twice as shiny
  • mrb123
    mrb123 Posts: 4,844
    This is a small washer which is much smaller in diameter than the bearing races. Probably only 10-15mm in diameter.
  • mfin
    mfin Posts: 6,729
    It is what Keezx said... and check it is not upside down, it is flat on the top and tapers down a bit on the underside where it sits into the bearing (pushes tight and down when headset is tightened).

    At the top you have the bearing, that split washer which centralises the steerer tube in the bearing, then sometimes one or two thin shim washers on top of that (these are needed if the headset's top cap would be touching the top of the head tube if they weren't there, one, two or none can be needed), then the headset's top cap... above that are your spacers and stem in whatever order.

    Edit, see here where it is called the Compression Ring on page3 and it then mentions the shim washers https://www.danscomp.com/media/pdf/Integrated_Headset_Install.pdf

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