how do I cure creaky handlebars?

Anonymous · June 2007

My handlebars have recently started creaking when I put force through them. It's obviously creaking where the stem holds the bars.
But how do I cure it, should I just take the bars out, clean everything (they've been in there for years and years!) and re-assemble?
Should I put a bit of grease where the handlebars are clamped? What kind of grease, copperslip, or just normal grease?

thanks for any help.

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S_J_P · June 2007

You should just be able to clean the bar/stem up, then rebolt it all back together to cure the creak. Do check for any cracking o damage though.

Make sure you apply a little grease or antiseize (normal grease or copperslip)on the bolts before reassembly (not on the bars or stem though) and make sure you tighten the stem bolts evenly (check the gap between the two sides frequently whilst tightening by 1/2 turn on each bolt).

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nicklouse · June 2007

tighten the bolts?

or to do it right strip and clean and light grease.

nick
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RIKO · June 2007

Remove the bars clean the centre section and the clamp area of the stem check both the stem and bars for deformation/cracks then reassemble. Put some grease on the bolts and a light coating of copper ease on the stem/bar interface and bolt up tight

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Anonymous · June 2007

ok, so that's two to one in favour of putting a little grease on the bars.
I reckon it's worth checking for cracks as well, the stem's at least 6 years old, and the bar, well, I had it on my previous bike, so that's like, erm, 10 years old, maybe older. wonder if the raceface lifetime guarantee will still hold up if it is cracked!

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bigrud · June 2007

Is it a 2 bolt stem? If so replace it with a 4 bolt. If already a 4 bolt go with the clean & grease. If it still does it then replace it anyway.

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nicklouse · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by bigrud

Is it a 2 bolt stem? If so replace it with a 4 bolt. If already a 4 bolt go with the clean & grease. If it still does it then replace it anyway.

BiGRUD
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nothing wrong with a good 2 bolt stem.

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bigrud · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">

nothing wrong with a good 2 bolt stem.

nick
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Fair comment . . .

BiGRUD

how do I cure creaky handlebars?

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