Originally Posted by
Glennfordx4
I would think you are going to have to replace the lower cup along with the crown race & possibly the entire headset to get rid of the indexing completely. If the headset wasn't adjusted right ( leaving it too loose is the most common thing that will cause indexing to a headset) the indexing can come from both the top & bottom cups from the consistent rocking as you ride. I don't buy the theory entirely about the grease, yes when riding the steerer isn't turning the full range but before & after riding the steerer ( at least on my bike) gets turned almost the full range a lot which should pick up fresh grease each time & if you use enough of a good quality grease it really shouldn't matter IMHO.
Glenn
False brinelling/ fretting is the excepted cause of indexing, not poor presetting, but you are certainly intitled your own opinion; but you should keep an open mind (here is similar definition of false brinelling
http://www.engineersedge.com/lubrica...brinelling.htm). As far as the extent of the damage on the entire headset, a thorough inspection of the headset races and cups show absolutely no damage whatsoever besides the crown race, which is common with fretting. This can not happen if the headset is too loose, but is consistent with the fretting definition by FBinNY (and also from Jobst Brandt
http://sheldonbrown.com/brandt/indexed-steering.html )
Dimpling occurs more easily with a correctly adjusted bearing than with a loose one that rattles and clunks. Rattling replenishes lubricant between balls and races, something that would otherwise occur less easily. Off road bicycles suffer less from this malady than road bicycles because it is caused primarily by long straight coasting descents with no perceptible steering motions, ones that might replenish lubricant
. . It is simply a fact that the entire weight of the frame and rider rests on the crown race. Assuming false brinelling is the case, the crown race would take the brunt of the damage.