I disassembled the headset (nothing I haven't done before), cleaned and greased everything, put together ok.

Now I have a strange rubbing sound from the headset when holding wheel in air and moving left to right, not a creaking sound? remove and reassembled 10 dozen times, swapped cups, still have noise. loosen, tighten headset, still noise.

this headset is somewhat idiot proof, IS headset, top is a bearing assy w/centering ring and bottom is bearing assy that slides over fork race and into bottom of headtube, no pressed in nothing. No clue what I did wrong.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks.

Rule out cable/housing rub as well -

What exactly did you grease on the headset? Can you isolate the noise? Is it a seal lube issue?

I hat to ask as this will sound insulting but is there any chance one of the bearing cartridges is upside down?

both bearings have a large outer cup that fits into the head tubes, then the bearing, then the race. the centering ring went in the top inside the center cup.

I moved the cables out of the way, still have rubbing sound.

I took apart the bearing, grease the inside and outside of the large cup (piece that goes in headtube), greased bearing, greased inner cup inside and out, grease fork taper piece (small piece pressed on fork)

thanks,

update: I had the upper bearing upside down, the races/cups were in the right spot the bearing inside was upside down. Now I have play I can't get out, woo hoo. I stopped messing with it and swapped over the lights and pedals to my old bike. I'll let the LBS get it straight, someone on here said something like "an amature bike mechanic is a bike shops best friend", that will hold true again.

You're welcome. I guess it wasn't an insult after all.

Next question: Is the steerer too long or did you leave out a spacer so the top of the steerer hits the top cap before all of the play can be removed?

thank you,

3 spacers removed all 3 put back, stem sticks out a few millimeters past the headtube, I can make the top bolt really tight and still freely move the top dust cap and all 3 spacers around. I put back everything the same way it came off, then again I also thought I put the bearing in right too. I'm sure the LBS will figure it out.

Your stack of spacers relative to the topcap is too short, that's why you can tighten the top bolt and not the rest...you might add one more spacer above the stem to let the topcap sit where it needs to be and snug up the entire assembly.

i have this exact problem. i'll check to see if the bearing is upside down now, but i'm almost certain i put it in right.


did you end up getting this fixed? what was the problem?


thanks

This is the correct answer given post #8's revelation.

thats unfortunate as i don't have that issue.

are there different heights of internal threadless headset bearings? it looks like the bottom bearing isn't tall enough and is causing the fork to rub on the headtube. does that sound right?

There are different "heights" yes. Is there a crown race on your fork...?

wow, i feel dumb, didn't know i need one? i'm using this fork https://www.eastonbike.com/PRODUCTS/F...L_'09.html



and the install looks exactly like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AM34A5fbqrY (about 2 minutes in)


the headset came with the frame i bought, i thought the guy gave me everything i needed

turns out my fork does have an integrated crown https://www.coloradocyclist.com/product/item/EASAFR9N

Nowhere on that page does it say that. If it was integrated crown, it would specify exactly which type of integrated headset/bearing it's compatible with. And it wouldn't be with any other. Otherwise there should be a crown race that is pressed onto the fork.

it says "1-1/8" integrated crown. " at the very end of the description. is that wrong?

I think it is. If you can take a good picture of the crown area, we can determine this without a doubt. Eastons on webpage does not say it's an integrated crown:

https://www.eastonbike.com/PRODUCTS/F...L_'09.html

i guess we've figured out the problem then. thanks for your help. now for the problem, how hard is it to install a crown race? it looks like you need a special tooL?

For the $5 your shop would charge you to install it, I would take it to a shop. There are DIY methods/tools around that will cost you more than that. Not to mention if they **** up your expensive carbon fork, they're on the hook.

A common tool is a piece of pipe used as a slide hammer. Google DIY crown race setter, you can easily make your own.

good idea, i just ordered a new headset (the one i have is kindda junky anyways) that will come with a new crown race. I'll bring it to a bike shop. thanks for all your help!