headset trouble

[Manitou HT]

:? Sorry been ages since I done a headset..
So I just put mine together all in the right order I'm pretty sure
(It's not an A-Headset) But when I tighten it up it makes the steering to tight and If I losen it it makes mega play in the headset?!
What am I doing wrong?

 

[legrandefromage]

Make sure bearings are in the right way round and are the right bearings. Sometimes the cages/ race rub against the cups if they are wrong. Try fitting without the forks in first and apply pressure to the topcap/ nut. If it spins freely, check the bottom cup and bearings.

 

[REKIBorter]

If the bearings are caged the open side should face the bearing race.

 

[legrandefromage]

Here is a good diagram:

 

[Manitou HT]

:? Checked bearings round the right way as far as I can see!! I did have the same trouble on my new cannondale and that was from new?! Must be something I'm doing wrong somewhere!
Cheers

 

[Dead Rats]

are the cups and crown race corrected fitted?

 

[Skinwhistle]

Are all the bearings the same diameter? You haven't got a rouge one in there have you (too big?) :?

 

[silverclaws]

Sounds to me as though something is misaligned, perhaps not square. Is the bearings sitting flush on their races, because if they are a bit skewed, the steering would get stiff when turned in one direction. Another thought might be a cross threaded adjustable top race, but doing that on two bikes ?

But how did you 'do' the bearings, with the front fork loaded, or the frame supported and the fork free to drop out the bottom, because I have found in the past doing headset bearings with the front wheel still on and on the floor, misalignment of the bottom bearing and race can happen, also the seal gets displaced and this could also jamb up the movement.

But Sheldon on the subject, he usually knows what he is taking about ;

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/headsets.ht ... leshooting