Headset / Steerer play?

[Ian W]

Hi,

Fitted a new stem to my bike today but I can't seem to get rid of the play in the headet / steerer area?

Process was..

Fit the stem
Tighten the top cap
Tighten the stem bolts

Still doesn't feel right though

Should I be doing this with the bike in the air and the front wheel off so there is no pressure on it when i'm tightening it?

 

[Rob H]

Is it a threaded headset or threadless?

 

[Charlieboy28]

if everything else is the same, is the new stem a lower stack height than the other stem, is the stem slightly higher than the steerer tube so it is able to compress the headset when you do the stem bolt?

Might just need a little spacer.

 

[RobMac]

The stack height of the new stem must be slightly lower than the old one. As said you'll need a thin spacer to make up the difference.

I'd do the whole process with the bike resting on the floor.

 

[Ian W]

if everything else is the same, is the new stem a lower stack height than the other stem, is the stem slightly higher than the steerer tube so it is able to compress the headset when you do the stem bolt?

Might just need a little spacer.

This was it, a quick look at the old stem and the new stem made me have a ahhhh I see moment.

One 5mm spacer later and it's good to go