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Noisy Headset?


jack0174

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hi on my headset when i turn there is a kind of metal grinding noise

coming from the bottom area of the headset i think it might just be my bearings?

but i was hoping someone could tell me if its somthing else or has happened to them?

thanks

jack

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It could be a number of things, but without stripping it down and looking, how is anyone going to know what it is.

Normally its the bearings, either they have died of have got dirt inside.

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mine did it for a while just kept riding ant then it went, it also was stuck everyone morning so i had to give i hard to turn to move it again lol

Sounds like somebody used glue instead of lube for the headset bearings!!!

I would recomend taking the forks off and having a look. It cant cause much harm, just remember how to put it back together. They will probably require a good clean and then re-greasing. When you put the forks back on remember to tighten the top cap bolt fairly tight first before retightening the stem (This prevents any play in the headset bearings). Hope this helps.

ok.but also how much should a bike shop charge me to pull out my cranks?

Seeing how removing the cranks is a 5 minute job they shouldn't be charging more than £5. However they are sneaky russians and need the cash in most cases so will ask for more.

Seriously, do it yourself. Buying a crank extractor is probably cheaper than getting a shop to do it and you will get an extra tool out of it as well!!

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Seeing how removing the cranks is a 5 minute job they shouldn't be charging more than £5. However they are sneaky russians and need the cash in most cases so will ask for more.

Seriously, do it yourself. Buying a crank extractor is probably cheaper than getting a shop to do it and you will get an extra tool out of it as well!!

Edited by jack0174
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Penetrating oil shouldn't be anything to worry about.

As far as the headset, after inspecting the bearings, did you clean and check the bearing races? It's possible they got some knicks in them or have been damaged. That could cause a grinding noise too. Make sure to grease everything good before reassembly - not light oil or wd-40... auto or bike specific grease.

Do some searches as to how to properly adjust the headset tension too. If it's too tight, you'll get poor results and shorten bearing life.

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ive got no bike grease and no there didnt seem anything wrong but i might just take it down the shop.

oh and the penetrating oil thanks for that.

If he took them off, clean it out and then put them back on.

See if it still makes the noise, if so then unless you know what you are doing just take it down the bikeshop so they can find out what it is.

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ok then i will spray them with some wd-40 and see if it makes a difference.

NNNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.............

WD-40 isn't really made for that. Grease!

Oh whatever...

Good luck with that.

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Personally I would:

Take the stem off and drop the forks out.

Take out the bearings and pop in a bowl for cleaning.

Wash out the racer and cups with GT85 and wipe completely dry with rags.

Do the same to the bowl of bearings and holders.

Then:

Check for ANY rough/flat spots in the cup.

Check for split/crushed bearing holders and missing/flattened bearings.

If there are any of the above, replace.

Assuming all is fine replace but apply

WELDTITE bike grease (with teflon) in the cups and/or over the bearings.

Re-introduce the forks and stem.

This should be perfect, if not, well I've screwed up my bikes cos thats how I've gone about it!

>_<

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