Play in steerer tube

mathematics
mathematics Posts: 453
edited June 2017 in MTB workshop & tech
Good morning

Got the wife's bike off the rack yesterday dusted it off and got it running again only to find play in the steerer. I readjusted the top cap and stem to no avail. So is it down to the headset being shot?

If so should I replace the crown race aswell?

Chris

Comments

  • wilberforce
    wilberforce Posts: 295
    Only way to truly tell is to strip the headset down and have a look
    How old and what is the history of the bike, and how much use has it had?
    Are you also definitely preloading the bearings correctly with the stem loose?
  • mathematics
    mathematics Posts: 453
    Wilberforce wrote:
    Only way to truly tell is to strip the headset down and have a look
    How old and what is the history of the bike, and how much use has it had?
    Are you also definitely preloading the bearings correctly with the stem loose?

    Just been to check it again. Bearings fully preloaded. Still play in there it must be the bearings.

    Anyone know what headset for an old Carter's Vulcan please?

    Should I replace crown race aswell? Are crown races standard?
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    Crown race comes with the headset.

    No idea what a Carter's Vulcan is.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • larkim
    larkim Posts: 2,474
    I'm guessing Carrera Vulcan just mistyped?
    2015 Canyon Nerve AL 6.0 (son #1's)
    2011 Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc (son #4s)
    2013 Decathlon Triban 3 (red) (mine)
    2019 Hoy Bonaly 26" Disc (son #2s)
    2018 Voodoo Bizango (mine)
    2018 Voodoo Maji (wife's)
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    mathematics wrote:
    I readjusted the top cap and stem to no avail.s
    Given the number of people we see who get that wrong it may be worth describing what you did in a little detail.....
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    Could be. So presumably an external 1 and 1/8th.

    Makes more sense to look inside first though. I've never had a headset yet that was so trashed it wouldn't tighten. Might not move, but would always tighten up.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Carrera's have been semi integrated (not external) since about 2004....
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    Really? Aah well ignore me then. Unless it really is a Carter something or other.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • mathematics
    mathematics Posts: 453
    cooldad wrote:
    Crown race comes with the headset.

    No idea what a Carter's Vulcan is.

    Carter's Vulcan - it's the future of mountain biking :lol:

    Just an autocorrect nightmare!! It's an old carrera.

    The steerer 1 1/8th and the cages bearing sit in the cups top and bottom so semi integrated sounds about right. I've looked on superstars and they are listing types???? Not sure which one is right.

    I've preloaded the bearings correctly, but there's still the movement if I can find the right headset I'll probably gamble and try a new one
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    The Rookie wrote:
    mathematics wrote:
    I readjusted the top cap and stem to no avail.s
    Given the number of people we see who get that wrong it may be worth describing what you did in a little detail.....

    Semi integrated (also known as Zero stack or ZS44) means the bearings sit inside the headtube, external bearings have a cup in the frame but the actual bearing is outside the end of the headtube.

    Easy to tell the difference from a photo
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.

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