Any idea what I am doing wrong? I put new bearings in since the old ones were popping more by the day. Didn't change anything about the setup except used Odyssey bearings instead of Demolition.
The issue: I cannot tighten my fork bolt at all or it won't spin. Like not even just twisting it in with my fingers will is spin. Could the top cap be touching the bearing and locking it in place when i put in the fork bolt? Can I put a spacer on top of the lock washer and then the top cap with no longer term issue?
by Darthxinsidious
5 Comments
Sounds like the headset cap is probably hitting the frame. I’d use a shim (extremely thin washer) and put it over the compression wedge that sits on the bearing. Most bike shops will have these. Also I’m sure you like your bars high, but I’d would want that steerer tube sitting alittle more flush with the stem. That’s more surface area the stem can grab ahold of on the steerer tube
Is there a reason you just replaced the bearings vs. getting a new headset? The parts are all machined to work together. We would need to see how the bearings are seated in both the top and bottom cups to help, but I would imagine the pre load is applying too much pressure on the bearings because there’s a slight difference in either the bearing diameter or the bearing cage of the new ones.
You have to ditch one of the spacers. I get rid of the small one and the whole thing should tighten right up.
Is it possible you mixed up the bottom race with the top inside centering spacer? It does happen. The bearing may not be sitting properly inside the tube.
What this guy said ^ did you put all the internal pieces back together in the right places?