Headset races gone soft??
08-17-15, 09:44 AM
#1
Si Senior
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Naperville, Illinois
Posts: 2,669
Bikes: Too Numerous (not)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times
in
8 Posts
Headset races gone soft??
I received back a bike I loaned to someone to ride across the country. After 4K plus miles of abuse it needs a total overhaul.
It initially appeared to have a worn out headset. The fork/handlebars seemed to snap into a groove facing straight ahead. It was almost like a magnet the way it snapped into a preferred position. I took apart the headset (sealed bearings) and the individual bearing rings felt smooth with no "groove-like" behavior. I reassembled the headset and the "snapping into a groove" action appeared to be gone. I set it aside for a few days, and when I revisited the bike, the "groove" seems to be returning. It's almost like the internal races are soft and develop the grooves with use.
I have not worn out sealed headset bearings before, and this one was brand new prior to the trip. Is this a common way for sealed bearings to wear out?
It initially appeared to have a worn out headset. The fork/handlebars seemed to snap into a groove facing straight ahead. It was almost like a magnet the way it snapped into a preferred position. I took apart the headset (sealed bearings) and the individual bearing rings felt smooth with no "groove-like" behavior. I reassembled the headset and the "snapping into a groove" action appeared to be gone. I set it aside for a few days, and when I revisited the bike, the "groove" seems to be returning. It's almost like the internal races are soft and develop the grooves with use.
I have not worn out sealed headset bearings before, and this one was brand new prior to the trip. Is this a common way for sealed bearings to wear out?
08-17-15, 10:03 AM
#2
Mechanic/Tourist
The bearing surfaces are not "soft" but rather have suffered from many miles of straight ahead riding, more so if the headset was adjusted slightly loose. Just replace the bearings.
