Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.


Threadless Headset Stfiff after Overhaul
#1
Hey guys,

I recently overhauled my FSA threadless headset ie. took it to bits, cleaned everything, greased it & put it back on.

Now, although the handlebars still turn as much as I need them to, the headset feels quite stiff.

Does anyone know what the problem might be?

Cheers

Si
  Reply
#2
you have probably overtightened the top cap screw.
read this, section 12 under headset assembly;
http://www.bike-components.de/bedienungsanleitungen/2011/fsa/gravity/headset_instructions.pdf
  Reply
#3
(05-05-2011, 07:42 AM)trevgbb Wrote:  you have probably overtightened the top cap screw.
read this, section 12 under headset assembly;
http://www.bike-components.de/bedienungsanleitungen/2011/fsa/gravity/headset_instructions.pdf

Aah right, thanks Trev, thanks very much. In your opinion, should I go through the whole overhaul procedure again? Or just loosen the top cap a bit?

Cheers

Si
  Reply
#4
loosen the side clamp screws until you can just move the bars around, back off the top cap screw a little at a time, until you have the right "feel" on the bearings, retighten the side screws. Test the assembly on rotation and forward and back against the brake, repeat if necessary.
You cannot adjust the bearing preload with the side clamp screws tight.
  Reply
#5
make sure your bearings are not put in upside down
There are two kinds of people in the world, "Those who help themselves to people, and those who help people!"
  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread
Author
Replies
Views
Last Post
 
12,217
03-17-2016, 10:24 AM
Last Post: Painkiller
 
9,690
02-15-2015, 04:49 PM
Last Post: Painkiller
 
21,807
01-26-2015, 02:21 PM
Last Post: eamil
 
14,081
01-18-2015, 12:16 PM
Last Post: nfmisso
 
14,458
04-24-2013, 07:45 PM
Last Post: Benen

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
Hello from NW Ohio
Yesterday 10:27 PM
I Tried Riding Like the Pros
Yesterday 07:10 PM
Shimano RevoShift upgrade
Yesterday 06:14 PM
Specialized bicycle post issue
Yesterday 06:12 PM
Sram Transmission derailleur possibly de...
Yesterday 04:34 PM
Philodo H8 5000W
Yesterday 04:28 PM
Chain skips under heavy load when pedall...
Yesterday 04:16 PM
It took more than 700 rubber bands to br...
Yesterday 04:13 PM
Hello from Jasleen – getting more into c...
Yesterday 01:55 AM
How do you commute on bikes in rougher a...
Yesterday 01:52 AM

[-]
Join BikeRide on Strava
Feel free to join if you are on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/bikeridecom

[-]
Top 5 Posters This Month
no avatar 1. Flowrider
27 posts
no avatar 2. GirishH
16 posts
no avatar 3. meamoantonio
12 posts
no avatar 4. Mr. Beanz
11 posts
no avatar 5. Sidewinder
10 posts