danielrice

Can anyone point me to any resources concerning headsets? I currently have a Trek 2100 (2004) and my headset squeaks when I turn the handbars back and forth when off the bike. The steering does not feel rough, but I would like to fix the squeaky-ness for fear of doing some damage if I don't.

Is my headset too tight? If so, how do I fix it?

Thanks for any help!!!!!!!!

supcom

Squeaks? Maybe the bearings were not correctly greased. Or it just needs adjusting.

You adjust the headset by lossening the bolts holding the stem then loosening (or tightening) the bolt on the top of the steerer tube. When the adjustment is right (snug but not binding. Just at the point of no play) tighten the stem bolts.

Avalanche325

https://www.parktools.com

It has all of the adjustment procedures you need.

danielrice

So is there any resource that would tell me how to adjust or grease it? I would like to do it myself... just to know how.

Thanks for any help.

Robert Gardner

Avalanche325: you have an error in you URL that you gave. You meant:
https://www.parktool.com/repair_help/FAQindex.shtml

seely

Its easy. Start by loosening the two binder bolts on the back of the stem. Then, supporting the fork so it doesn't fall out, remove the bolt holding on the top cap on top of the stem. If the fork doesn't fall out after removing the stem (slides off) give it a love tap with a rubber mallet or a well cushioned object of some sort. I'm pretty sure you have an integrated headset. To grease it put some grease on your finger and pack it in around the top and bottom openings on the headtube.

When reassembling put the fork back in, make sure its firmly in place in the headtube, then put the stem back on, lightly tighten the binder bolts, put the top cap on, tightening until its SNUG... careful not to overtighten. Then torque down the binder bolts.

To check for play upon reassembly, hold the front brake lever down and rock the bike back and forth, you will feel the play if there is any in the front. If there is play you need to snug up the fork a bit so loosen the stem and get the fork seated right.

dafydd

i had someone complain of a similar problem; it turned out to not be the headset squeaking, but rather where the cable ferrules met the stops. kind of doubtful a headset would squeak, even if maladjusted.

danielrice

Ok, where do the cable ferrules meet the stops? Is that on the top of the downtube?

Thanks for the help!

sydney

Good catch.

dafydd

Well, although the instance i mention was on an older bike with a clamp-on stops from the friction era, when cables didn't usually fit as snugly into the stops as on modern bikes, it is a possibility. Certainly a lot easier to lube a cable end than overhaul a headset.

But yes, the ferrules are the plastic or metal caps on the end of the cable, the stops are the little chumpies brazed/welded/glued to the downtube.

Just to be the LBS advocate, but if you strongly suspect the headset, you might want to take it back to the point of purchase and pursue warranty stuff. But threadless headsets are pretty easy to work on; if you like to tinker, it may be a good starting point.

danielrice

Thanks, I will check the ferrules and let everyone know what the deal is.

danielrice

Well, it doesn't seem to be the ferrules. The sqeaking is coming from the very top of the fork, where the stem/fork enters the head tube. It almost sounds like rubber squeaking...

thanks for any help!

no3puttchad

I had the same problem...it also ended up being my cables. Squeaked at the ferrules, and where the 2 brake cable housings touched in front of the stem. 2 Zipties later, all is right in the world.

danielrice

Seems to be where the fork enters the head tube. Squeaking at the bottom of the head tube. Any thoughts?

colinm

Does it have a seal or gasket?

danielrice

hmmm.... not sure, it is a bontrager race lite fork with a cane creek headset.

danielrice

Put some TriFlow on the bottom of the headset... seems to have cleared it up! Thanks for all of the help guys!

JBBOOKS

I had the exact same squeeking problem with my '02 Trek 2200. When I took it all apart I found the bottom race was starting to show signs of rust, I guess it catches water there.

I cleaned up the races and lubed the bearings, just like Seely said, and that took care of it.

jemoryl

I would be careful about squirting a light lubricant like TriFlow (or WD-40, etc.) around greased bearings as it might tend to thin the grease or otherwise compromise it. While it may have cleared up your squeak, I would be in favor of repacking the bearings with new grease (if they aren't sealed cartridges) and checking out the alignment of the races, etc. If this is a newish bike, why not take it back to the shop and have them make it right?

demoncyclist

It isn't the bearings, it is the seal on the lower bearing race. I had the same problem on a set of SPDs. The squeak was making me crazy. ust rub a light film of any lube on the seal itself to get rid of the squeak. Don't spray any lube itno the bearings themselves.

colinm

I knew it...

WorldWind

It sounds like your head tube never got faced when the dealer assembled the bike. The very slight out of parallel configuration causes all the grease to migrate to one side of the bearing race and then you get the squeaking. Regressing will stop it but it will come back.

Unfortunately these days to compete for price the bike assemblers in some shops are not allowed to remove the forks and bottom bracket from the new bikes as they come from the factory.

I am not implying that as they come from the factory they all need this treatment but some due and it is like the difference between a oem engine and one that has been blueprinted and balanced.

sydney

nm....................