I was using the torque wrench and the hex bit wasn't inserted all the way and slipped, this is what it looks like after hammering a bunch of torx bits into the bolt and trying to tighten it that way. I got it to tighten a tiny bit but I'm still unsure what torque it's at right now. How do I check it's tightened enough to at least last through the race? (it's 8pm where I'm at so everything is closed)
Thanks a bunch
by sausagebeans
15 Comments
is there a gap between the top of the handle bars and the bottom of the headset cap?
This just doesn’t happen with one slip. You’re a hack. Hopefully you’ll learn from this.
You shouldn’t be torquing a top cap bolt, just tighten it enough to remove the play in the headset.
Hard to see if it’s the top cap. If so, the bolt doesn’t need torque. And if you strip a bolt, the worst thing to do is tightening it.
Hold down the front brake and jerk your bike forward, see if there’s a knock. If so, your headset is loose, if not, ****should*** be ok. Tighten down stem bolts and hope for the best
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The first versions of these were all plastic because they don’t require much torque.
Technically you can ride with it removed tbh.
If you have play in your headset, you were supposed to loosen the bolts on the side of the stem first, those actually hold it all together, and the top cap just sets the amount of play/tension in the bearings.
Correction you HAD a race tomorrow
Can you file or cut a groove straight across? To use a flathead to tighten or loosen.
Had the same issue, what worked for me: loosen the stem bolts (at the side of the fork), then by rotating the whole handlebar you will be able to unscrew the headset cap bolt.
If it’s secure ride on, but you’ll have to drill it out before you can attempt to remove it
The unwritten rule: “Never start a mechanical project the night before a race.” Any work should be done several days prior so there’s a window to deal with issues and be able to do a proper shakedown ride.
Sounds like you’re good for now.
When you’ve got time, drill the head off, remove the stub with pliers/vice grips, replace, it’s a 50 cent bolt
“Stripped” is definitely a word to use but this is more like headset bolt deleted for aero
nothing new on race day