The art and science of threaded headset adjusting

[kjarrett]

Tough one without being able to feel the headset as its turned.

I tighten the nut until i feel binding then back it off slightly until it moves freely, then the rock test i cup around the bottom cup and top of fork to feel for play, only rock gently and feel the play in your hand, there is play in the brakes too which can transmit itself through the bike, one way to eliminate this to some degree is to turn the bars 45deg so the wheel is pointing sideways and the brakes cant rock back and forth, feel for the play in the actual cup. If you can do that and feel a slight knocking, and it will be slight, and tightening it up a smidge creates binding, then something in the headset is either missing worn or wrong.

Just for reference, here is all the original parts of your headset:

 

[Tootyred]

Its sound more and more like a frame facing issue or the headset cup has been crushed slightly. Cant see what else would cause it to be free in one plane and not in another!

 

[kjarrett]

Its sound more and more like a frame facing issue or the headset cup has been crushed slightly. Cant see what else would cause it to be free in one plane and not in another!

Hi, not sure I understand, but, the good news is after two rides things have settled ... turns easier, and, there's almost no wobble when I rock the wheel, verrrrrrrrry slight. So we're good!

 

[kjarrett]

Bit of a happy ending here to share ... after several rides, including a recent punishing outing on some of the worst terrain I've ridden, the headset now turns more freely than before AND there is no wobble when I hold the headset with one hand and rock the bike back and forth with the other hand on the front brake. So, all's well that ends well.

Carry on.