Headset too tight?
04-04-10, 09:02 AM
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Headset too tight?
Have a bike that I built right before winter... pulled it out of storage to get ready for summer. I noticed that when you turn the forks they don't move freely. There's about 10 or so different "positions" it clicks into. Is this normal or did someone crank down too hard on the headset and mess up the bearings?
04-04-10, 09:16 AM
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No, it's not normal. It sounds like your bearing races have become brinelled, where the ball bearings have pressed down too hard and permanently pitted the races. You may need to replace your headset to get proper operation. Also, I'm moving this thread to the Bicycle Mechanics forum, where you will get better advice on this topic.
04-04-10, 09:30 AM
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Yup. The "A" answer is a new headset.
The "B" solution is to throw away the cages that hold the bearings and replace them with new loose bearings the exact same size. When you think the bearing race is comfortably full, take one bearing out. It's important that the bearings have enough space so they don't rub against one another.
The "B" solution is to throw away the cages that hold the bearings and replace them with new loose bearings the exact same size. When you think the bearing race is comfortably full, take one bearing out. It's important that the bearings have enough space so they don't rub against one another.
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Tunnelrat81
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09-06-10 06:50 AM
