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Headset really tight/stiff

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Headset really tight/stiff

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flag fishboy67
Posted: Dec 18, 2007 at 20:50 Quote
i fixed my loose headset to day and was all excited about it being fixed.

The only problem is that now whe i turn the handlebars, i meet a lot of resistance. It's like its rubbing or something.

If someone has had this problem before let me know.

Thanks in advance!
flag Hummeroid
Posted: Dec 18, 2007 at 20:51 Quote
yep, overtightened the preload bolt. loosen stem and preload bolt, and tighten JUST till theres no play in the headset.

If its still stiff, you most likely need a new headset
flag kill-bodys
Posted: Dec 18, 2007 at 20:52 Quote
hey make sure u got all the bearings the right way around. the balls face into the cups. then when u are tightening it make sure its not super tight. tighten it until it stops being lose and thats all then tighten the stem bolts
flag fishboy67
Posted: Dec 18, 2007 at 21:43 Quote
hey, i tried what you guys said, and it helped a little bit. Im probably sure the bearings are like screwed or somehting because when it was loose before i just cranked down as hard as i could on the top cap bolt.

Oh well, im pretty sure a new FSA Orbit 3 or whatever is on my holiday list.

Thanks for the help though, any more advice is till appreciated so i can ride a smooth headset for at least 1-2 weeks until i get a new one.
flag kill-bodys
Posted: Dec 18, 2007 at 21:45 Quote
dont crank down on it. u only need it alittle tight ur stem bolts keep it up in place. also get a shit ton of grease for the moment that will help until u get a new one if its messed up.
flag Hummeroid
Posted: Dec 18, 2007 at 21:45 Quote
fishboy67 wrote:
hey, i tried what you guys said, and it helped a little bit. Im probably sure the bearings are like screwed or somehting because when it was loose before i just cranked down as hard as i could on the top cap bolt.

Oh well, im pretty sure a new FSA Orbit 3 or whatever is on my holiday list.

Thanks for the help though, any more advice is till appreciated so i can ride a smooth headset for at least 1-2 weeks until i get a new one.

haha, yeah, cranking as hard as you can is definitely why it was stiff! lol

Try greasing the bearings too, hopefully there was some grease in there before, but new grease is always good!
flag fishboy67
Posted: Dec 18, 2007 at 21:52 Quote
i don't have heavy duty grease, just tri-flow and stuff. WOuld that kinda work??

I can see if i could have some from a friend, i think i know someone with some.

And btw, i didn't crank it down jsut now, i only did it a little like you guys said, but its still stiff.
flag Hummeroid
Posted: Dec 18, 2007 at 21:53 Quote
NO TRIFLOW OR WD40 use wheel bearing grease, or something like that. It has to be grease, not oil
preferably waterproof grease.
flag kill-bodys
Posted: Dec 18, 2007 at 21:54 Quote
make sure the bearings are still round, and the cups. also dont put tri flow wait to get grease go to ur bike shop they will help u out for a few bucks im sure. and make sure u have all the parts
flag fishboy67
Posted: Dec 18, 2007 at 21:55 Quote
okay, i wont use that, ill see if i can get some tomorow form a friend.

I check back in here later if it helped at all
flag kill-bodys
Posted: Dec 18, 2007 at 21:56 Quote
for sure. good luck
flag Hummeroid
Posted: Dec 18, 2007 at 21:57 Quote
when you get some grease, take the fork off completely and grease both sets of bearings and races, then put it back together just like we said before, with the not cranking down on preload bolt and all :-)
flag DavidMakalaster
Posted: Dec 18, 2007 at 21:59 Quote
fishboy67 wrote:
because when it was loose before i just cranked down as hard as i could on the top cap bolt.

Well there's your problem. Your hamfist destroyed your headset. Get a new one and ask your mechanic to show you how to adjust it without smoking it this time.
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