GSmith

I have a simple hardtail Norco mountainbike. I've owned it for about ten months and only in the past three or so I've noticed that when I apply any sort of pressure from standing and siting or leaning forward that the handlebars will come loose from the stem clamp gradually, and over a five minute period, the handlebars will become extremely loose and without an allen key, I've got a problem. An image illustrating the location causing the problem is attached [It's not my bike, just a stock image]. Is there a relatively simple fix for this that doesn't involve buting a new stem or handlebars? A fluid of some sort or something I should put between the bars and the clamp?

Thanks for any help you're able to provide!

nodnerb

Maybe you have overtightened it at some point and crushed the bars causing the slip. It happens. Swapping to a 4 bolt stem might work if the bar isn't the problem, but, you didn't want to buy a new stem.

GSmith

I don't think I've overtightened it. Do you have any idea how much a 4-bolt stem might cost? I assume it's not an expensive part, but I really have no idea.

GSmith

Thanks, I'll definitely try the loctight and if that fails I'll see about putting in some star washers.

HillRider

If the threads are good, Loctite should help. The torque spec for a 2-bolt handle bar calmp is in the range of 70 to 90 inch-pounds which is pretty tight and maybe more than you can apply with a regular allen key.

Also, degrease the bar/stem interface to reduce slipping and bar rotation.

Finally, Nashbar has house branded road and mtb two and four-bolt configuration strems for very low cost. The quality is as good as much more expensive name brand stems and they probably come out of the same Taiwanese plant.

oilman_15106

This is a stupid joke your trying to play on the OP?

seely

Make sure you have an even gap between the top bolt/faceplate and the bottom bolt/faceplate. If the gaps are not even, no amount of loctite or torque will ever hold that bar in place.

toomyus

this is a long shot, but listen up. when you tighten up a stem, u need to tighten the bolts one half turn each. so take out the two bolts ,then put in both screws first and keep bar straight . then hand tighten them in, half a turn each till they are snug. incase its not clear, turn one bolt half a turn , then turn the other bolt half a turn. then use rench to tighten the bolts for the stem into place. turn each bolt , half a turn with the wrench till they are equal and tight. this is a good way to eliminate a lot of problems.

Defiance

That's just evening the torque on it all.

Torque wrenche would be easier

toomyus

eh, no its not defiance, ur meant to go up in small increments even with a torque wrench. if u tighten one down fully, then tighten the other bolt down after, you might have the same torque measurements but it wont be evenly seated.

HillRider

Watching to be sure the gaps between the faceplate and the stem body are equal top and bottom will accomplish the same thing.