Cracking noise from headset area

[Clear2Land]

Bought my bike in April this year and took it for its first service around 550km of riding, however I have noticed recently it has been making this wierd cracking noise that occurs after I push down on the forks and then slightly lift up on the handlebars or when turning them. I think it is coming from the headset area but not sure what is the cause. Just wondering if anyone has experienced something similar or know if it's something to be concerned about?

 

 

[chris007]

Hi, had the same issue on my Scott Spark 940,  yes it was the headset bearing, i did a 1000km on my new bike. Its Dust and the bike shop "relube " it and all fine afterwards. I did a endurance race, 230km, and was a result of that. 

 

[Clear2Land]

1 hour ago, chris007 said:

Hi, had the same issue on my Scott Spark 940,  yes it was the headset bearing, i did a 1000km on my new bike. Its Dust and the bike shop "relube " it and all fine afterwards. I did a endurance race, 230km, and was a result of that. 

Ok great thanks for letting me know, will take it to my local bike shop and hopefully it also is fine afterwards.

[Lynskey]

What can happen is if there is not enough grease on the bearings or if it has dried out then when there is force on the headset the metal on metal sound sounds exactly like a clicking sound. So an easy fix.

[Robbie Stewart]

I have a Spez that had the same noise around 500km in. I pulled the fork out and cleaned and lubed the headset and the problem went away. I did notice the lube was sparse around the headset bearing and it was caked with dust that was the cause of the noise.

Edited December 1 by Robbie Stewart

[David Marshall]

That should be a quick fix for someone who knows their way around headsets.

If it is a sealed bearing type avoid slapping any extra grease onto it.  The grease is already inside the assembly where it is needed.  Clean the seat and the outside of the bearing and refit.

If it is a cup and cone type where the upper race and the balls (usually in a cage) come apart when you loosen it by all means add grease to the lower race and cone after cleaning.  A thin "earthworm" of grease where you see the balls have run is enough.  Any extra is just a dirt trap.  Extra grease will not migrate onto the balls.

The noise could also just be that the headset has worked loose.  With the bike wheels on the ground you can check this by sitting on the crossbar, engage the front brake and with your hand over the joint between the headtube and headset cap.  When you rock the bike forward and back you shouldn't feel any play.

[DieselnDust]

as stated above likely a dry bearing but could also be a misaligned bearing so a quick service at the lbs is in order.

These modern headsets are crap. Sealing is poor and sweat and water from the bike wash gets into the bearings easily so a few drops of machine oil after washing helps to keep the water away.

Also check that the bearing preload is not too high by loosening the stem bolts and backing off the top cap by 5-10min on the clock. i.e. turn the allen wrench counter clockwise through an arc that resembles 5min on a watch face and see if its still making the cracking sound and check that its not too lose.