Old 07-10-12, 06:28 AM
  #3  
Gonzo Bob
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Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 1,930

Bikes: Early 1980's Ishiwata 022 steel sport/touring, 1986 Vitus 979, 1988 DiamondBack Apex, 1997 Softride PowerWing 700, 2001 Trek OCLV 110

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This probably occurred due to a poorly adjusted headset (either too tight or too loose).

If the bearings are in a retaining ring, you can replace them with loose balls. You will be able to fit more loose balls than are in the retaining ring so this will lessen the indexed steering effect since not all balls will be in the existing dimples.

You could also try to rotate very slightly the crown race on your fork to offset those dimples from the ones on the cone race in the top of the headtube. But this would require some special tools to pop off the crown race and re-seat it on the fork. I have never tried this so I don't know how effective it is.

Mild indexed steering isn't a big deal. My old MTB developed indexed steering and I rode it that way for at least 10 years before replacing the headset.
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