Originally Posted by
dalava
I don't think this will do what you think it will do: increase the tension between the spacers underneath the stem. The headset stem cap with compression plug is used for pre-load; once the stem is mounted and tightened, the stem cap is no longer needed in fact. I actually loosen it afterwards.
You are misinterpreting ... I meant to increase the torque during normal installation of the headset, not after the stem bolts have been tightened. And, as you say, I also loosen my top cap afterwards (this can also be a source of creak).