Loose Headset

[PhatWheels]

I've just put a new fsa orbit headset one my bike and for some reason get loose or something after a bit of riding. when I'm sitting stationary on the bike and squeeze the front brake, I can wobble the whole bike back and forwards from the headtube/headset area. I know there can be a bit of flex in the fork and steerer but you can see the top part of the headset shake. I always have to go and tighten the headset after using the bike and have now worn out the thread of it.
Any help would be much apreciated:confused: 37193

[MrPlow]

Sounds like your not doing it up correctly.
Did you loosen of your stem before you tried to tighten the preload on the star washer?
If they are triple clamp fors (not assuming your sketch is right) I awlways loosen them off the stainchions and the steerer first as well.
Remember the star nut and top bolt are preload only, it is your stem that keeps the load on your bearings, if you want you can remove the preload and star once you done your headset up and all works fine saving you precious grams:D

[Burrito_Boy]

I had a similar problem on my older bike. The headset was actually fine, the steerer tube was actually to long by about 5mm. I just chucked on another spacer and never looked back. Hope this helps.

[Mahoney_007]

You did put ALL the bearings back in didnt you? :D And packed them up good with some grease?

The steerer may actually be shagged/snapped/bent/cracked?

But Id almost bet its the stem/top bolts that you arent doing up in the right order.

[|Matt|]

Sorry to hijack thread, but i am having a similar problem, but my headset is too tight?
The bars take a decent amount of force to turn them and when i let go of the bars i almost stack because my weight cannot shift the bars from their state.

Do i just back off the top cap screw?
I didn't put a whole lot of grease on the steerer but there is enough.

[-DAvo]

Sorry to hijack thread, but i am having a similar problem, but my headset is too tight?
The bars take a decent amount of force to turn them and when i let go of the bars i almost stack because my weight cannot shift the bars from their state.

Do i just back off the top cap screw?
I didn't put a whole lot of grease on the steerer but there is enough.

sounds like you just overtightened your top cap, back off your stem bolts, back off the top cap off so you can turn your bars freely but not have any play in the headset, then tighten the stem bolts back up.

[MUGEN]

I've just put a new fsa orbit headset one my bike and for some reason get loose or something after a bit of riding. when I'm sitting stationary on the bike and squeeze the front brake, I can wobble the whole bike back and forwards from the headtube/headset area. I know there can be a bit of flex in the fork and steerer but you can see the top part of the headset shake. I always have to go and tighten the headset after using the bike and have now worn out the thread of it. Are you sure your tightening/adjusting your headset correctly? Its not just a matter of doing all bolts up tight, there IS a procedure.
Loosen bolts on your stem and the top cap bolt.
There should now be plenty of play and movement in the area.
Now line your bars/stem up with your front wheel and tighten top cap bolt, this is here to preload the bearings and make sure everything is seated properly. As your doing up the bolt, check the play in the headset, as long as there is no movement, then that bolt is tight enough. Dont overdo this bolt.
Then tighten stem bolts, you want these pretty firm. Should be laughing.

If your headset is regularly loosening off, check:
How tight you do your stem bolts up
How well preloaded the bearings are
The top and bottom cups of the headset is pressed into the frame correctly; ei. they are parallel to each other and face the headtube if needed.
The crown race (bearing race that sits thru the steerer on top of the crown) is firmly down and flat.
The steerer is straight.
Lubrication.
Make sure clamping surfaces are clean.

If all the above is done and your still having problems, its time for a new headset.

[|Matt|]

sounds like you just overtightened your top cap, back off your stem bolts, back off the top cap off so you can turn your bars freely but not have any play in the headset, then tighten the stem bolts back up.

Thank you Davo :)

[cheggy]

The top cap is probably pressing onto the steerer, not allowing the crown to be pulled up into the headset. Put a small headset spacer underneath the stem to raise it up a bit, alowing the top cap screw to bring the forks up nice and tight.

Don't ride it until it is fixed. It is not good for the headset or the headtube. Things start to go oval shaped.

[tu plang]

ok well given that he hasnt replied yet, and no ones given him the benifit of the doubt when it comes to tightening a headset. from a safety perspective it might also be worth entertaining the possibility that your steerer is pulling through the crown.

now its not something that happens very often, but nor is a headset coming loose because of a bent steerer or unfaced headtube.

[.:Easily:.]

have you tried tightening your top cap

i had the same problem and as soon as i tightened it the wobbling stopped

[Grip]

have you tried tightening your top cap

i had the same problem and as soon as i tightened it the wobbling stopped

Doesn't ANYBODY actually read a thread before they bother replying?
http://lightsout.onestop.net/unbelievable.jpg

[Gripper]

Doesn't ANYBODY actually read a thread before they bother replying?
http://lightsout.onestop.net/unbelievable.jpg

Yeah, my favorite people are donkeys too, thanks for the pic.

[Martin.au]

Doesn't ANYBODY actually read a thread before they bother replying?
http://lightsout.onestop.net/unbelievable.jpg


Hehe cool pic.