Coyote2

Hi all. My five-year old cheapie stock threadless headset has always worked fine...But today I noticed that it was a tad loose. I checked my repair manual and followed the instructions (loosen stem bolts, tighten down the hex nut on the top cap, re-tighten the stem bolts), and all is well again: no looseness, nice smooth steering.

Question: why would it just become loose? Is this a sign that it is wearing out and needs replacement? In other words, can I just roll merrily on my way, or not?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

DannoXYZ 

Should be fine. All the torquing on the bars over 5-year slowly pulled the stem up ever so slightly. Personally I like to take my headset apart once a year and re-pack the bearings. Also removing the retainer on the bottom and packing the cup full of loose-bearings ensures it stays smooth for a long time.