Campagnolo Record Headset Creak

[VilaNova]

Hi,
I have a relatively new (2-3 years old) Campagnolo Record 1 inch threaded headset that has about 10,000 dry km on it.

It has recently started to creak slightly when out of the saddle. I took it apart, re-greased it (it looked perfect with lots of grease there already), but it still creaked. I then tightened the upper cup a bit more. That definely helped for a few rides however I then noticed that a slight 'flat spot' in the straight-ahead position indicating that the upper cup was a bit tight. I then loosened it slightly and it tracks nice and smooth - but has started creaking again!

Appreciate any thoughts on next steps. Maybe it needs new bearings (although on visual inspection they seem perfect and Campagnolo should last a long time) or maybe I just need to tighten it a bit more but not so much that it results in a flat spot?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[juvela]

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not so insult your intelligence but are you positive creak issuing from headset?

creak between stem & bar where clamped quite common

also possible: creak betwixt stem and steerer

is creak both heard and felt?

you mention Record model but are you referring to original Record (all steel) or later Record (alu with pressed in steel races)?

if you have later type one approach would be to disassemble and put the four parts carrying a race into a container of penetrating oil and let them sit for a bit; then reassemble and try again...

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[bikeworkshop]

That's true - Creak is rarely the headset - it can even be the cables!
But if the headset is suspect noisy, then dismantling it, cleaning it up and relubricating it will definitely change the noise if not eliminate it.
Alloy cups with steel inserts are a bit troublesome - and if you've got a flat spot, it's the race that's worn rather than the bearings themselves.
Reassembling with the fixed cups turned through opposing 45⁰ should spread the wear.

 

[pigman]

Clean the front fork dropouts with a rag. Then put some light oil on them and reinsert the wheel. The noise from slight movement of the skewers/locknuts on the fork is what was causing similar for me

 

[VilaNova]

-----

not so insult your intelligence but are you positive creak issuing from headset?

creak between stem & bar where clamped quite common

also possible: creak betwixt stem and steerer

is creak both heard and felt?

you mention Record model but are you referring to original Record (all steel) or later Record (alu with pressed in steel races)?

if you have later type one approach would be to disassemble and put the four parts carrying a race into a container of penetrating oil and let them sit for a bit; then reassemble and try again...

-----

Thanks for your feedback. I have previously checked the interface between the stem and handlebar and applied a small bit of grease and torqued to spec. I also greased the stem where it inserts into the fork.

The Record headset is the latest model that you can buy so I think s mainly aluminium. Thanks

 

[VilaNova]

That's true - Creak is rarely the headset - it can even be the cables!
But if the headset is suspect noisy, then dismantling it, cleaning it up and relubricating it will definitely change the noise if not eliminate it.
Alloy cups with steel inserts are a bit troublesome - and if you've got a flat spot, it's the race that's worn rather than the bearings themselves.
Reassembling with the fixed cups turned through opposing 45⁰ should spread the wear.

Thank you. There was a very slight flatspot but it has gone now. Do you think I nevertheless need to replace the cups? Thanks

 

[VilaNova]

Thanks for your feedback. I have previously checked the interface between the stem and handlebar and applied a small bit of grease and torqued to spec. I also greased the stem where it inserts into the fork.

The Record headset is the latest model that you can buy so I think s mainly aluminium. Thanks

Just confirmed it is lightweight alloy and steel bearing races

 

[bikeworkshop]

Thank you. There was a very slight flatspot but it has gone now. Do you think I nevertheless need to replace the cups? Thanks

If it's cleaned up and working ok that's what you want.
Get Riding

but if there's wear in the straight ahead position, you can rotate the cups to reduce it, but ideally you'd replace the headset.

 

[Woz]

In your position, and no pun intended about "out of the saddle". I would suggest a total and complete entire front end inspection with a magnifying glass at hand and going further down the downtube to the BB. The entire handlebar and stem set-up in particular deserves scrutiny.

The symptom and noise produced here may not be from a headset requiring attention.

 

[Woz]

I'm also an out of saddle type rider. If anything feels like it shouldn't on the front end be sensible. The noise is a bit of a signal.