Bicycle Mechanics - Can't get threaded headset adjusted right

If I adjust it so that there is no play in the fork, the steering is really tight. Right now I have it adjusted at a happy medium, a little bit of play and a little bit of tightness. I check for play by trying to move the fork around so this isn't play in the brake calipers. Will replacing the retainer type bearings resolve this or do I need a whole new headset?

Originally posted by JDP
If I adjust it so that there is no play in the fork, the steering is really tight. Right now I have it adjusted at a happy medium, a little bit of play and a little bit of tightness. I check for play by trying to move the fork around so this isn't play in the brake calipers. Will replacing the retainer type bearings resolve this or do I need a whole new headset? There should be no slop.If there is it will ultimately cause you greater greif. It also should not feel ovely tight. Check for slop by putting the bike on hard surface holding front brake and rocking back and forth,but be sure brakes are tight and hubs have no slop.Are you sure it is assembled correctly,meaning the retainers are oriented in the cups correctly, and the top nut is not contacting the top of the steerer. Even if the bearngs are trash,it should not matter.You do not need a new headset unless you have idintified a specific problem with the old one that requires it.you could just be throwing money away.

Problem is that I cannot adjust it to have no play without the steering being overly tight. Assembly is correct and locknut does not contact top of steerer.

Originally posted by JDP
Problem is that I cannot adjust it to have no play without the steering being overly tight. Assembly is correct and locknut does not contact top of steerer. See what www.parktool.com has to say or have a knowledgeable wrench look at it.Still think it's assembly.asuming it had been ok and you took it apart.

Here's a good question: How tight is too tight? If I adjust out the play, the steering has alot of resistance but I guess I could still ride it. Just doesn't seem right.

Originally posted by JDP
Here's a good question: How tight is too tight? If I adjust out the play, the steering has alot of resistance but I guess I could still ride it. Just doesn't seem right. The steering should not have alot of resistance.The front wheel should turn freely when the front of the bike is lifted. Too tight can trash a HS,but too loose can ovalize a HT. HS are cheaper than HTs or new frames.

As Pokey said, the test is to squeeze the front brake and rock the bike back and forth. If the headset is loose you will feel a definite clunk clunk as you rock the bike forward and back. The headset should only be tight enough to eliminate any clunk. His point about assembly is valid as well. The first time I serviced a headset I put on of the bearing/retainer assemblies in backward and had similar symptoms. The retainer side goes toward the cone, the open bearing side into the cup. Also, are you holding the adjustment nut quite still as you tighten the locknut against it? Unless this is done carefully you can wind up tightening the adjusting nut as you turn the locknut. Just a few thoughts on the subject.

http://www.webmountainbike.com/headset1.html

http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/howfix_headset.shtml#adjust

I usually adjust a headset to 1/16th of a turn of the spanner on a headset. Are you adjusting it too coarsly?

try lubing it up from the inside.

Originally posted by tFUnK
try lubing it up from the inside. ???

Little trick I learned from a wrench at another LBS. If it is too tight then life the handlebars off the ground and somewhat "smack" it on the ground as if you were doing a wheely. Do it hard but not too hard. As long as your tired are pumped this will not damage your rims. This should loosen the headset while keeping it tight.

Originally posted by WorldIRC
Little trick I learned from a wrench at another LBS. If it is too tight then life the handlebars off the ground and somewhat "smack" it on the ground as if you were doing a wheely. Do it hard but not too hard. As long as your tired are pumped this will not damage your rims. This should loosen the headset while keeping it tight. Well maybe, but it's nothing I ever had to do, and probably wouldn't.

Meh, I just remember someone taught me that and it worked.

Originally posted by pokey
???

put some lube between the hat and the bearing, right of the hat where it contact the headtube

Originally posted by tFUnK


put some lube between the hat and the bearing, right of the hat where it contact the headtube ???

Originally posted by pokey
???

hehe nevermind

I couldn't figure it out so I took it in to the LBS. They said the assembly was correct but there was old grease gunking up the headset. Doesn't make sense to me since I broke it down and cleaned it out pretty well. Anyway it's fixed so I'm happy.

Originally posted by JDP
I couldn't figure it out so I took it in to the LBS. They said the assembly was correct but there was old grease gunking up the headset. Doesn't make sense to me since I broke it down and cleaned it out pretty well. Anyway it's fixed so I'm happy. Makes no sense to me either. If it was not acting that way before you took it apart ,then why after,especially after you cleaned and regreased it?

told you some grease could've done the trick but pokey here made fun of me :(

just playing good thing you got it fixed!

simular Q. on my daughters repco basic mtb the h/set becomes loose when i tighten the lock nut ???does it need an extra spacer washer under the lock nut or is the prob. something else?

My best advice is to try to break it down, clean it, repack bearings with fresh grease, reassemble, and use the procedure on parktool.com to adjust. Pay careful attention to how everything comes apart so you can put it back together. They only charged me $20 for the overhaul at the LBS so that may appeal to you more.

Originally posted by greywolf
simular Q. on my daughters repco basic mtb the h/set becomes loose when i tighten the lock nut ???does it need an extra spacer washer under the lock nut or is the prob. something else? Make sure the top of the steerer is not contacting the top of the locknut.