Headset Help
- Thread starter Jimmi
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Twozaskars
Senior Retro Guru
Have you put it back together properly? Everything in the correct order?
Splatter Paint
Retrobike Rider
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Caged bearings in upside down?
Seal jammed somewhere?
Seal jammed somewhere?
As far as I know, I’ll have to take it apart and check it. This is new ground for me, if it was worn out would there be play in it like I described?
Twozaskars
Senior Retro Guru
Yes there would be play, but if it wasn't there before you stripped it......
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If I’m honest I didn’t check it prior to stripping it. It wasn’t my bike, it had been sitting in someone’s garage for years so I paid for it, took it home and took it apart. I reckon I’ll just change it, it’ll be good experience! Thanks for your help by the way, it’s well appreciated.
CassidyAce
Senior Retro Guru
https://www.parktool.com/en-int/blog/repair-help/threaded-headset-service
Sections 6-8 might help you.
Sections 6-8 might help you.
Uncle Grumpy
Old School Hero
Also, check that any "play" is actually in the headset by placing a finger around the top race on the headset and rocking the bike back and forward while holding the front brake. Sometimes play in the brake can make you feel a slight knocking or bumping.
If it's loose then binding and there's no sweet spot, then it's either the headtube is out of square (unlikely) or a cup isn't fully seated into the head tube (unlikely) or like Splatter Paint said, something is either upside down or there is a seal jamming.
If it's the original headset then it is threaded. You need two spanners, one to hold the top race in place while you somehow stop the forks from turning and then tighten down the locking with the other. Then if you're anything like me, you still get it wrong, repeat, swear, curse, repeat and finally get it right.
Good luck with it!
If it's loose then binding and there's no sweet spot, then it's either the headtube is out of square (unlikely) or a cup isn't fully seated into the head tube (unlikely) or like Splatter Paint said, something is either upside down or there is a seal jamming.
If it's the original headset then it is threaded. You need two spanners, one to hold the top race in place while you somehow stop the forks from turning and then tighten down the locking with the other. Then if you're anything like me, you still get it wrong, repeat, swear, curse, repeat and finally get it right.
Good luck with it!
