I’ve never greased a headset before. Please give me tips and things to look out for when doing it.
Slowly learning how to do maintenance on my own stuff after a few years of being to scared to do it thinking I’d break things.
by BetterThingsOutThere
I’ve never greased a headset before. Please give me tips and things to look out for when doing it.
Slowly learning how to do maintenance on my own stuff after a few years of being to scared to do it thinking I’d break things.
by BetterThingsOutThere
4 Comments
I doubt it’s the headset tbh. I mean it might be but I find lots of the time it’s actually the front break squeaking slightly.
Nevertheless- it’s not a super super risky job so good luck
Youtube is your friend here. Spires have 52mm bearings in the top and bottom of the headset. Pull them out, clean them, grease anywhere the bearing contacts the bike/steer tube, and put it back together. Be sure to tighten your top cap bolt before the stem bolts. Use a torque wrench.
Take lots of pics at each step of disassembly. Even if you have a diagram from the manufacturer to help. Zip tie the pieces together in order. Make sure the fork is supported so it doesn’t drop out unexpectedly once you loosen the stem and top cap.
Some random tips:
* Find something to tie your handle bar to your frame when it’s off the steerer tube, don’t just leave it hanging. I use velcro straps myself.
* Same for the fork: use something to tie it to the frame so it doesn’t fall out unexpectedly.
* Understand the purpose of the top cap: it’s used to provide preload to the headset. So the correct order is: tighten the top cap _just enough_ so there’s no play in the headset, _then_ tighten the stem bolts. Never the other way around.
* Check the headset bearings. Depending on the prevailing climate where you live they have to deal with water/dirt ingress. If they’re rusty or they feel gritty, replace them. They’re consumables.
* Watch the [Park Tool headset video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRJq_QxNalA)