Hi everyone

Ive gained a wealth of knowledge reading this forum and have just signed up to ask for some help.

I was in the process of installing a rigid fork on my bike in lieu of the suspension fork, although before I can do that, I need to cut the steerer down or add some spacers.
So I went to reinstall the original suspension fork on the bike, although have come up with this issue.

The centering sleeve does not seem to pull down flush with the top adjusting race. Im nearly certain that originally it was flush.

I have not changed any parts on it at all, what could be the cause of this?

(pic attached)

Thanks

Nm.

It's hard to tell from the picture, but the compression ring(centering cone) should go under the top cover. It looks like you have it on top.

The centering ring needs to stick slightly above the bearing race/cup. This then allows the pressure from above to push the ring down and preload the bearings through the race/cup WHILE also maintaining the cup/race's concentricy. If the ring "fell' inside of the race/cup then the race/cup would be floating about on the steerer and not be concentric with the bearing. Andy.

.02p, ... you only notice it because the spacers are Black . if it works, its all good.


If it were in the shop in front of me I could tell more, but it's Not. rather than worry as you are,
and send a picture

go to a Bike Shop and ask in Person. they will take it apart and fix it, if it's not assembled correctly ..

So its possibly installed correctly, I just havent noticed any gap between the centering sleeve and the spacers before.
The centering sleeve is unable to go under the cover as it will be in direct contact with the bearings if that makes sense.

Here is of it loosely assembled.

Looks right to me.

Sometimes the wedge ring can be a bit stubborn about getting fully seated.

Thanks for the help. Ive played around with it all and its still the same. The fork has no for and aft movement and is sitting firm.
Could it be that Ive just upset the original placement so its a bit stubborn getting in - the centering sleeve that is.

That seems weird.

If it doesn't settle in, you must have been mistaken about it being flush originally, or is there any chance it got mixed up with the same part from another headset?

Ive had a look at pictures on the net and none exhibit this gap. No confusion with another headset as this is the original one and I dont have any other headsets lying about.
Might take it to the LBS for them to check it out and see if there is anything wrong with it.

Have you ridden the bike yet or is all this just on the stand? There is a bedding latency to some of these headsets.

Go for a ride with an Allen key set.