Play in Headset

[AlanD]

Hi All,

 

When taking the bike off the bike rack I noticed some play in the headset.

 

When I hold the frame, I can move the fork back and forth a little bit as well as slight side to side movement.

 

Is this play normal?

 

It is a fsa headset and a straight steer fork, not tapered.

 

Thanks

[Meentb]

Nope. Not normal.

 

Try to loosen the stem bolts and tighten the nut on top of the steerer tube. Not too tight otherwise your steering might go "vas" as well.

[Meentb]

And then tighten the stem bolts when you donev

[AlanD]

And just like, problem solved. Just the top bolt needed to be tightened a bit. Thanks man

[Meentb]

No problem

[AlanD]

So first ride in with new headset and fork and notice play in the headset. Tightened up and all good but then came loose again today while riding around.

 

Notice there is a spacer under the topcap amd the stem is flush with the top of the steerer tube so perhaps itbwasnt preloading properly. Shuffle things around, with all spacers at the bottom of stem and now a good few millimetres gap to pre-load properly (as per pic).

 

I have to tighten the top bolt (after loosing stem bolts) rather tight to stop the play but the odd part is that the steering doesn't lock up at all. With my old setup, it would lock if the bolt was too tight. Seems wrong or is there a bed in period for headsets?

[Bateleur1]

AlanD, now that you are in EU valley and taking your bike to the bikeshop becomes an expensive trip ... may I suggest (other than theHub of course) youtube (especially GCN).  They show you in pictures 

[AlanD]

AlanD, now that you are in EU valley and taking your bike to the bikeshop becomes an expensive trip ... may I suggest (other than theHub of course) youtube (especially GCN). They show you in pictures

Yes, ive scoured the net and watched some vids hence my shuffling spacers around to make sure there is enough gap that the top bolt is not sitting on the steerer tube. I want to know if its an issue if i tighten the top bolt quite tight but the steering doesn't stiffen up, if that is an issue. Also to mention, the stem does fit quote snug on the tube, needs a good push to get on and off.

[Kalahari Vegmot]

So first ride in with new headset and fork and notice play in the headset. Tightened up and all good but then came loose again today while riding around.

Notice there is a spacer under the topcap amd the stem is flush with the top of the steerer tube so perhaps itbwasnt preloading properly. Shuffle things around, with all spacers at the bottom of stem and now a good few millimetres gap to pre-load properly (as per pic).

I have to tighten the top bolt (after loosing stem bolts) rather tight to stop the play but the odd part is that the steering doesn't lock up at all. With my old setup, it would lock if the bolt was too tight. Seems wrong or is there a bed in period for headsets?

What you have there is bad. You want about the same gap you got there, but with a spacer.

 

The stem should't ever stick out above the steerer tube.

 

SLAM THAT STEM!!!

[Kalahari Vegmot]

Yes, ive scoured the net and watched some vids hence my shuffling spacers around to make sure there is enough gap that the top bolt is not sitting on the steerer tube. I want to know if its an issue if i tighten the top bolt quite tight but the steering doesn't stiffen up, if that is an issue. Also to mention, the stem does fit quote snug on the tube, needs a good push to get on and off.

Don't tighten the top cap too tightly. It's ONLY job is to preload the headset bearings-as loose as you can without any play.

[AlanD]

Well the setup originally was the stem slammed down (flush with the top of the steerer) with a spacer beneath the topcap.

 

I have tighten the top bolt quite tight to stop the play and that is why im concerned.

[AlanD]

What you have there is bad. You want about the same gap you got there, but with a spacer.

 

The stem should't ever stick out above the steerer tube.

 

SLAM THAT STEM!!!

Ive seen many pics with it like that though...

[BaGearA]

generally if the steering doesn't stiffen up you're not putting too much pressure on the bearings ( well at least in my case)

[Kalahari Vegmot]

Ive seen many pics with it like that though...

Well then many people aren't very bright...

[Kalahari Vegmot]

Like begeara says; if it doesn't stiffen up or bind, you're fine, but stem above steerer isn't cool.

[Dicky DQ]

My wife likes a bit of play in the headset......... Hat, Coat, Door.