HonestOne

When I move the handlebars from left to right, if I let them move slowly they want to lock up going straight. Why is this? I loosened up the forks and stem, moved the bearings around a little, nothing looked off, but I still have the same problem. Help me figure this out! Thanks.

tombc

pitted headset

techsensei

If the bearings are held in retaining rings, you might be able to cure the indexed steering effect by using more loose bearings. It does not always work (you may still have to replace the headset) but it is worth trying.

Zef

as tombc mentioned the problem you are experience is pitting of your headset. The piece most likely affected is the bearing cup(s) pressed into the head tube of your frame.

This issue is not uncommon on bikes whose headsets have not received maintenance in many years and was either too tight or too loose and/or did not have proper lubricant.

Because, in use, headsets don't see a great deal of movement, the grease can be displaced by the balls in the bearings and not adequately recoat the area due to lack of movement within the part...couple this with an incorrectly adjusted headset and load distribution is not spread evenly among the balls causing damage which often manifests as a pitting of the cup that causes the steering to index at one particular spot, often with the bars lined up straight ahead.

The proper solution is to replace the headset.

-j

dsbrantjr

Do a Web search for "indexed steering" for more information.

HillRider

Actually, the most likely damaged part is the "crown race", the race that is pressed onto the fork's steerer. It and the lower headset cup bear the brunt of the shocks and vibration the headset sees while riding. The upper races pretty much last forever unless badly neglected and water gets into them.

Kimmo

The 6400 headset on my daily ride is brinneled, but only on the upper race. Go figure... it's the loose-ball kind with the cone pressed into the head tube and the cup is threaded.

I'm pretty sure it was okay when I got it, and I've always kept it properly adjusted, but I may have neglected lube.

Zef

Upper cup...Lower cup....they are both pressed into the headtube and when faced with an indexed steering situation it is in the best interest of the rider to inspect all parts of the headset including both cups and the crown race....which should have been my recommendation in the first place.

Cheers,

-j

FBinNY 

The issue can often be resolved to an extent (not cured) by removing the cups and crown race, and pressing them back oriented about 1.5mm off. Mark each for reference where it meets the fork or frame, and press in moved over, one to the right, and one to the left so the dimples no longer line up. As I said, this isn't a cure but can reduce the effect enough for you to ride many thousands of miles before needing to replace the headset.

Of course, this only makes sense if you own the tools or have access to a co-op, otherwise the labor cost is high enough that you might as well buy a new headset.

BTW- the cause is mostly a failure of lubrication, and more properly called fretting or false brinelling.

HonestOne

Thanks for the help. It doesn't bother me a ton, only when I ride with no hands it can be a little hard to balance as the bike doesn't follow my movements right away! I may try later to take it all apart, clean it up, and sand down any ridges I feel inside. If it looks real bad, fill it with some JB-Weld and smooth it out. Thanks again for the suggestions!

joejack951

One more suggestion. Please don't waste your time with either of the above "solutions." Neither will work and the latter could cause the headset to bind up worse and possibly cause a crash. JB Weld is like putty next to hardened steel.

FBinNY 

DO NOT TRY JB-WELD or SANDING THE BEARING SURFACES. that's the most sure way to destroy them. If it isn't affecting normal riding, pack with decent grease -- and loose balls if you prefer -- and adjust for best operation. The reality is that an "index" headset doesn't create issues unless it's severely "brinelled" or on some high end road bikes can cause high speed shimmy.

I often use the phrase leave bad enough alone, this is one of those cases. Don't do anything that will make it worse.

fietsbob

Replace. you can find some pretty cheap new headsets, of course there are nicer more expensive ones too..

Mudgut

I had the same problem on an old bike that was in storage for 10 years. Took the headset apart, inspected, regreased bearings, then reassembled. Smooth as silk! I remember reading an article that said old grease in headset would cause " memory " of straight position.

Jeff Wills

In my experience, the cheaper all-steel headsets last longer and have fewer problems than the more-esspenisive items. My bike has a Tange Levin:
https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...s.php?id=10536
and I expect I'll take it to my grave.

sonatageek

Replace the headset and ride trouble free and safe.

Myosmith

Your observation that the bike doesn't handle well when riding no-handed is a classic symptom of indexed steering. Decent headsets aren't that expensive and are a quick install for your LBS. You can do it yourself but you need to make sure that the faces on the headtube are smooth, straight and perfectly parallel before installing the headset. You can make a DIY headset press with some threaded rod, a couple of nuts and a half dozen fender washers larger than the OD of your headtube. Just be darn careful that you press in one race at a time and get them straight or you can damage your headtube.

DO NOT waste your time with mickey fixes like JB Weld, sanding/resurfacing, removing and reinstalling the headset, etc.