Headset Play

[Mr Weirdo]

Apologies because I know this subject is frequently touched upon.

I have had a good condition used 105 Shimano h/s installed on my frameset which has now been built up...I should of checked it earlier so I am a bit fed up but another lesson learned.

Now the cups were in very good condition as were I believe the bearing cage and bearings. But there appears to be 1mm to 2mm play in the headset when you test by using the front brake...I'm soo fed up as every step I take another problem...

Would the easiest step be just to install another headset rather than install new bearing gages and grease hoping it solves the problem straight away?

Just a bit fed up...as I don't want this to drag on and on...

Thank you...

 

[bikeworkshop]

If a headset looks ok it usually is ok.

Did you press it in with a proper press?
Are the threads good on the fork,
is the crown race the correct fit
and seated with a proper tool?
Are the races the right way up?
Is the washer there between top race and locknut?
Do you have 2 headset spanners to set it?

These are the commonest causes of a loose headset. Even a badly worn headset won't have 2mm play.
Somethings not right.

(It's really unusual for new bearings to fix a headset)

 

[Mr Weirdo]

Thanks for the reply...

I don't have a headset tool so I had my LBS do it for me. I thought they may have noticed?

I supplied all the parts and an exploded view diagram from the internet as it was an 80's component. I hope they weren't insulted lol

The threads appeared to be okay from what I remember...

I even went to another bicycle shop and they had a fiddle but couldn't with spanners improve it...

It sounds like a removal job, have a closer look and I have another headset so try that.

Oh well...

One step forward...two steps back lol

 

[bikeworkshop]

I still think it's misassembled, or its got a rogue part in there.

Fer example: It's almost normal now to find the wrong crown race on a 30year old Threaded headset - it's had a long time for it to happen.

 

[pigman]

If you can't screw the locknut down any further to tighten it, then add another washer between the locknut and upper race
Apologies if I'm stating the bleedin obvious

 

[Mr Weirdo]

I still think it's misassembled, or its got a rogue part in there.

Fer example: It's almost normal now to find the wrong crown race on a 30year old Threaded headset - it's had a long time for it to happen.

A very good point...I've been around for over 50 years now and I myself have a lot of miss assembled and rogue parts...or it feels like it?

 

[Mr Weirdo]

If you can't screw the locknut down any further to tighten it, then add another washer between the locknut and upper race
Apologies if I'm stating the bleedin obvious

I promise you I like the bleeding obvious as it's a very good point to start from...thank you

 

[bagpuss]

A very good point...I've been around for over 50 years now and I myself have a lot of miss assembled and rogue parts...or it feels like it?

I know that feeling, just you wait till you get your bus pass . It helps pick up a lot of slack .
Recently spent hours buggering about with bits of head sets . In the end I bought a new one . .
As others have said check the stack height .

 

[bikeworkshop]

Of course the 105 headset had such a shallow stack height that if you'd cut your Fork threads to fit the 105, when the headset wore out, nothing else would fit

So intuitively if your frameset previously wore a different model, the threads will top out in the locknut before the headset is properly adjusted.

Of course the shop that fitted it should have spotted this - but the very fact they've given you the bike back with play means they've missed something.

 

[Mr Weirdo]

I know that feeling, just you wait till you get your bus pass . It helps pick up a lot of slack .
Recently spent hours buggering about with bits of head sets . In the end I bought a new one . .
As others have said check the stack height .

Thanks BP, it only seems like yesterday when I was jumping around to the tunes of Blur and Park life, etc. Now both my knees are at the moment are in distress, etc. Sorry in whinge mode...yep that's what I thought otherwise back and forth, back and forth. Sod it I have another one somewhere? Problem is my memory is a bit knackered these days as well!