I've already dialed this front end about 4 times now and i keep getting the same results. Ive sanded down my stem pretty well and tightened all bolts but my bars keep wiggling around. I've shoved my forks in perfectly and placed my headset correctly and it still gets loose. Im starting to think im going to need a brand new headset.
Tips ?
byu/Upset-Act6705 inbmx
by Upset-Act6705
5 Comments
Bearing pressure is from the fork top cap, so even if the stems not tight it should have a loose headset. Is the front hub tight and not rocking on its cones? Or is the sound coming from the bars, or stem?
Are you tightening the fork bolt to its max before tightening the horizontal bolts on the stem? Headset is not in upside down on either side? Those are the only two reasons I could think of for this to happen.
If the fork really is too long and is not sitting at most flush with the deeper part of the stem, consider adding spacers below the stem or as a last resort cutting a chunk off the top of the fork.
So, you can snug it up, and then it loosens up?
Did you just install the headset? Is it a new bike? That could be several things. Do you have enough spacers between the headset & stem? Is the fork tube greased and allowing the stem to slip & loosen? If it’s a loose ball headset, you could be missing bearing balls. I’m even wondering if your front wheel hub is snug. (forgive me if the front wheel hub is fine😉 Just trying to think of sneaky things that may have been overlooked)
Loosen the stem bolts that clamp it to the fork. Then loosen the fork compression bolt. The fork compression bolt might be bottoming out because there isn’t enough space for the assembly to fully compress.
Take a picture with the fork compression bolt off so we can see how far up the steerer tube is going thru the stem. You can try adding by another spacer and see if it stays tight.
Also after you’ve tighten the compression bolt, tighten the lowest stem clamping bolt snug first, before you tighten the top bolt. Get it tight then tighten the top bolt. Repeat; lower bolt then top.
The lowest bolt is closest to contact point of the compressed assembly that will ensure the assembly stays tight.
Blown bearings will cause what you are showing, also a crushed headset race; also the wrong race on the fork will cause the same issues you posted.
But try the above method first and see what happens
My bet is your fork is bent. If the headset constantly loosens and all is in order I find it’s usually the fork. Get it all set up, nice and snug, look at the fork headset race from the side. I bet you see the back of the race (by the downtube) shows more than it does at the front. Unfortunately I don’t have a pic to show, but I hope you get what I mean.