Brompton has cracking sound around headset when steering sharply
Brompton has cracking sound around headset when steering sharply
byu/vincent_vancough inBrompton
by vincent_vancough
Brompton has cracking sound around headset when steering sharply
Brompton has cracking sound around headset when steering sharply
byu/vincent_vancough inBrompton
by vincent_vancough
4 Comments
Hi r/Brompton!
I am curious if anyone has run into a cracking sound with steering before.
I can hear and feel (to an extent) a cracking sound when I steer a little sharply.
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I have a 2018 M6R, and I just had the headset replaced less than a month ago. The issue existed prior to the change and is about the same. The headset was replaced because it was a little loose and tightening did not seem to help. Before it was changed, when I put heavy pressure on the handlebars I could feel the stem move and click forward and backward.
The headset looseness is gone, but this cracking remains. It does it, when unloaded too, but is not as loud.
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At the end of the video you can also see that it doesn’t happen when I’m stopped, so pressure on the handlebars is definitely a factor.
Have you lubricated the hinges yet? Mine had a similar creak until I cleaned and lubricated both the hinge of my frame and my steer.
Before you do anything too involved, I strongly recommend removing all accessories and luggage from the bike and retesting. 9/10 times this is the cause for a mystery creak.
If the noise persists, then the next most likely cause is a gear or brake cable whacking your stem, fork, or front fender.
Run those tests and report back.
I’ve had a knocking sound from the front end for years, I put massive loads in the front luggage bag, suspect it’s headstock bearings. The noise comes and goes, more apparent when theres a heavy load on the front.
I don’t think yours is bearings, sounds like something loose or knocking on the frame.