Bicycle Mechanics - Clicking in front wheel or headset?

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extomesm
08-19-03, 07:30 PM
My bike just recently developed a clicking noise coming from the front wheel or headset/stem area. Im not sure if its a clicking noise from 2 things hitting each other or a creaking noise from maybe things in the stem and headset rubbing against each other. At first i thought it was my bike computer node on the spoke hitting the the receptor on the fork but when i am off the bike and spin the front tire i hear nothing. Can anyone help me out??? Thanx
Austin

extomesm
08-19-03, 07:56 PM
ok i figured out its a creaking sound coming from the headset now...how do i fix it?
sch
08-20-03, 08:08 AM
Best is to dissassemble, examine the bearings for wear if single balls, and the races for dents or pitting (brinelling). If ok, clean it all up and rebuild. This is very easy on threaded headsets and only slightly more complicated for threadless. See Barnetts manual for details. If threaded, do the final disassembly (pulling the fork down) with the bike horizontal over an old towel so if it has loose balls they don't run all over and disappear when they fall out.
Headsets should be looked at every 5-10yrs :-), at least, more often if they are noisy. Steve

Hunter
08-20-03, 08:25 AM
Five to ten years?!! If I did that to my own much less customers bikes then the bearings would turn to powder. All unsealed bearing surfaces should be checked once or more if neccessary per year. This will ensure that the amount of grease needed for long life is still there, and there is no damage starting. This is especially true for MTB's or harder riders.
extomesm,
For headset maintainence a easy online source is here: http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/FAQindex.shtml#headset
sch
08-21-03, 03:23 AM
That was a bit tongue in cheek, reflecting what a great many
owners actually do, not what they should do. Back in the '70s
I would take my bike down to the components, wipe off or replace all the balls, clean thoroly and reassemble each January. Took most of evening. Also fixed all my tubular flats. These days, with 3 road bikes and one bent and a lot less time I have a hard time keeping up with the lubing, washing and routine maintenance. Total disassembly I think about now and then. Sealed bearings are great. I have taken the bent down and built it up twice in 3yrs and the other three were all built up by me.
Steve