Originally Posted by
dsbrantjr
milkbaby: Maybe "pretty tight" is not tight enough. If you are using a multi-tool or the short end of an "L" wrench you might not be getting it properly torqued. Are the clamp bolt threads greased and the clamp and steerer surfaces clean? Is the gap in the stem open, so that the bolts are clamping the stem to the steerer and not just squeezing the "ears" together?
I did grease the stem bolts. Out of fear of overtightening, I grip the hex wrench (L-shaped) pretty close to the bend so as not to use too much leverage. It does seem that I'm tightening down hard, but if I recall, it does seem like the "ears" of the stem are being squeezed together, not sure if it is gripping harder right on the steerer. I do remember maybe some grit/sand that was in there when I took the stem off last night. I will carefully clean everything and reassemble again.
Any tips on making sure the stem is actually clamping down on the steerer rather than the ends/ears of the stem just squeezing together? Thanks!