wilhelm-S

I recon post a WANTED advert on Bikehub - you never know who might have triangles in their boot. Or someone with a damaged frame... your best chance.

I found the problem... the dust cap (headset cap) was bent, and although the steerer is still counter-sunk within the stem the cap was in direct contact with the steerer and hence didn't push the stem downward onto the the top race, therefore not allowing it to clutch the steerer!\ Hope that makes sense!

I installed a new bearing that looks identical, and once I picked up the movement - after a few rides, I re-installed the old bearing again just to make sure. But the play still persist even with the old bearing. If the dust cap is properly in place i.e. it puts pressure on the top race would that resolve the play between the bearing and the frame? My logic tells me that due to the shape of the bearing seat, the harder the bearing is pushed down the more snug the bearing should be. The same goes for the race that pinches the steerer as its tightened... RIGHT?

I picked up some 'play' on my headset. Looking closer its seems to come from the top bearing... and more specifically there seems to be play between the bearing and the seat of the bearing (the frame). The bearing seems to sit loose within the frame regardless of the tightness of the headset assembly. I have tried a new & old bearing, both fit loose withing the frame. With the cap installed there is about a 1mm gap between the cap and the frame... Am I missing a shim / spacer or something? Could it be wear & tear - microscopic movements chewing the frame