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Bike makes a click sound when I turn

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Old 06-12-09, 02:02 PM
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Bike makes a click sound when I turn

This is after I turned my stem upside down. Now when I turn my handlebar in a 90 degree fashion i hear a click. I am not sure where the sound is coming from but I think it has something to do with the headset. The sound doesn't happen everytime, but definitely isn't normal.

Any tips? thanks.
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Old 06-12-09, 02:10 PM
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Probably the cable stops (i.e. the metal piece on the cable housing end)... moving/clicking where they connects to the downtube - your cable housing is technically longer since you flipped your stem and is moving more when you turn your bars.

Just in case... check to see if your headset is loose. Hold onto the front brake and rock the bike forward - you'll feel the steerer move if it's loose.
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Old 06-22-09, 05:05 PM
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Originally Posted by grahny
Probably the cable stops (i.e. the metal piece on the cable housing end)... moving/clicking where they connects to the downtube - your cable housing is technically longer since you flipped your stem and is moving more when you turn your bars.

Just in case... check to see if your headset is loose. Hold onto the front brake and rock the bike forward - you'll feel the steerer move if it's loose.
I dont think it's the cables, i tried adjusting it again today and when the screws are loosen and I turn the noise isn't there, but when I tighten everything the sound comes back. I think it has something to do with my headset. Any ideas?
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Old 06-22-09, 05:08 PM
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why would you ever need to turn your bars 90 degrees?
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Old 06-22-09, 05:10 PM
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Originally Posted by calbrner
I dont think it's the cables, i tried adjusting it again today and when the screws are loosen and I turn the noise isn't there, but when I tighten everything the sound comes back. I think it has something to do with my headset. Any ideas?
It's your cable housing/cable stops.
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Old 06-22-09, 05:13 PM
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I have that same problem. I eventually solved it by loosening the pre-load on the headset. It has to do with the headset bearings not being exactly on the same axis. Facing the headtube prior to installing the headset will make it go away, but in my case, the headtube on my Madone is CF, so I don't think it can be faced. If you have a metal bike, you can get the bike shop to face the headtube and re-install the headset.

Either that or just back off on the pre-load until the noise is tolerable. I also found that plastic spacers (the ones with the carbon fiber weave) makes the noise more tolerable as well. Just make sure your headset is not loose. That'll kill it pretty fast.
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Old 06-22-09, 05:14 PM
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Completely loosen the stem bolts and tighten the top cap allen. I'm betting that you tightened the stem first and didn't get any preload on the headset bearings, so there's some lash. Don't be a rock-ape tightening the top cap, but make sure that it's snug enough to keep everything together before tightening the stem bolts.
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Old 06-22-09, 05:15 PM
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damn....beat me.
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Old 06-22-09, 05:20 PM
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Originally Posted by umd
why would you ever need to turn your bars 90 degrees?
i wouldn't, but the sound was there before i did something to my bike
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Old 06-22-09, 05:20 PM
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Originally Posted by Fat Boy
Completely loosen the stem bolts and tighten the top cap allen. I'm betting that you tightened the stem first and didn't get any preload on the headset bearings, so there's some lash. Don't be a rock-ape tightening the top cap, but make sure that it's snug enough to keep everything together before tightening the stem bolts.
should i use the same amount of force on the stem bolts and top cap?
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Old 06-22-09, 07:29 PM
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Originally Posted by calbrner
should i use the same amount of force on the stem bolts and top cap?
No. After you have loosened the stem bolts, tighten the top cap till it's snug. You're tightening it to adjsut the preload on the headset bearings, not to hold things together.

Then tighten the stem bolts with a torque wrench to no more than the manufacturer's specs. At this point snug is good enough.

If you've done it right, the handlebars should turn freely, and there should be no play when you hold the front brake on, and roll the bike until the rear wheel leaves the ground.

If the steering binds the top cap is too tight. If there is play rocking the bike forward the top cap is too loose.

Loosen the stem bolts, adjsut the top cap, and repeat until its right. When is it right, tighten the stem bolts per the torque spec's.
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