Originally Posted by
pacificaslim
Yes, aren't the stem and/or spacers (whatever you have on top) always stick up a bit higher than the fork? You have to have that or the top cap will bottom out on the fork and not get tight enough. Add the thinnest spacer you can find (either under or over the stem) or replace one you have with a slightly bigger one and then perhaps you'll be able to get the preload set right.
I think you've misunderstood the problem. There is a gap between the top of the stem (I actually have a spacer on top of the stem right now) and the fork. The top cap is functioning perfectly. The problem is that the upper cover of the headset (the thing that would say FSA or Cane Creek, that goes over the bearings and under the stem/spacers) is what is causing the problem.
when i tighten down the top cap and take up the slack in the fork to pre load the bearings, the upper cover is binding against the top of the headtube. This makes the stem very hard to turn side to side.