ARGHHHHH F'kin headset....

[RTSclassic]

Help!

I am running a Orange X1 with a FSA orbitxtreme headset I managed to find an exploded diagram and have all of the parts required but no matter how much I crank it down it will not stop rocking, even now my bike is difficult to turn and it rocks!

I purchased a Azzonic head lock so it is cranked tight no worries with slipping star nuts. The steerer is well below the stem so no problem there. the only other thought I had is the steerer has a shim over it that isn't the full length of the exposed steerer also the spacer appears a little larger than it needs to be, does anyone know if a spacer has to be the correct width for your steerer? at the moment the spacer sits on the headset cover but isn't directly above the compression ring.

Cheers guys

Mark.

 

[cyfa2809]

are you sure you have the correct race fitted to your forks? i know with my orbit its got quite an angle on it, not like most headsets

 

[barry2017]

Does it have a centreing sleeve?

 

[RTSclassic]

I must confess I wouldn't know if the race is correct as I purchased the bike second hand with everything connected, I dont recall there being so much movement in the bike previously. (the headset was a little lose and when I went to tighten it I found the Star nut thread had snapped which is when I began to have this headache.)

According to the manufacturer I have all of the parts including the centering sleeve, a chamfered ring (no split in it)

Thanks for the response guys any other suggestions are welcomed.

 

[Enid_Puceflange]

Bent steerer? :shock: :shock:

Gc

 

[RTSclassic]

Nope steers okay it just has around 5mm movement when I rock the bike on the front brake. Cups are in the frame tight as well, no cracks in the steerer tube either. :roll: it's never easy!

 

[Enid_Puceflange]

Have you had a look at the faces of the bearing surfaces, I had a look at mine when i couldnt tighten it up to stop the rocking, bearing suface was worn more on the front than anywhere else.
new headset sorted it out. how old is your headset dude?

G

 

[RTSclassic]

I will take a look that may hold water, it came with the bike and the guy I brought from was happy to spend his money so I suspect it is reasonably new. The bearings are still smooth and I can't say I noticed anything obvious in terms of wear.

If I do go down the new headset route am I right I will need to replace the cups as well? Or will it be a trip to the LBS.... sounds expensive!

 

[hamster]

I think it's not tensioned up fully, first try to check if the movement is at the bottom or top, it should narrow it down a bit.

Is one of the bearing races in upside down?

 

[RTSclassic]

The movement is in the top. the order of parts from the bottom is race, Seal, Cartridge bearing, cartridge bearing (top) centre collar, headset cap, Spacer, Stem. All held together with a head lock.

the Azonnic headlock efectively means I can tighten the hell out of it, the steering is actually a little too tight at the moment and still rocks so I can't see it being the amount of tension?

The spacer seems a little large on the steerer would that make any difference?