Headset keeps loosening.

[Hellcat]

Right, got an Eastern Element 06 frame (bearings not integrated) / MacNeil forks, WTP stem with a gyro with 1 larger spacer between headset & top gyro ring.

I can get it tight as can be, then go out riding for an hour or two. Nothing heavy, just beginner tricks, 180 hops, rollbacks, baby airs, drop ins, etc. Pretty much every time I come back there's 1mm play in the headset / rocking on the front wheel. What's goin on? How can I stop it?

It's livable, just irritating, can get it super tight before going out, but it never stays that way.

Any ideas / suggestions?

Thanx.

 

[QUADROPHENIA]

Is it a star nut in the fork? Is it moving up the steerer tube ?

[TwoBobRob]

Sorry to have to ask.....

Are the bearings the right way up?  You wouldn't be the first person to do it. It all goes together, headset tightens nicely in the shed then as you ride the bearings crush and everything loosens up.

Second stupid question, you are tightening the stem allen bolts up nice and tight yeah? the top nut/centre nut/whatever you want to call it, is only there to adjust the headset. Stem pinch bolts do the real work.

[Betty]

Is it a star nut in the fork? Is it moving up the steerer tube ?

This ^

Or.... are there enough spacers below the stem, tighten it down then undo and remove the top cap, if the top of the fork steerer is flush with the top of the stem bung another spacer in  

Ideally the top of the stem should be a couple of mm above the top of the fork steerer

[Betty]

Rob also has a good point 

Got the warning that another reply had been posted, but posted anyway 

[Hellcat]

I don't think it's a star nut in the fork. The top bolt fits straight into the fork.

The stem pinch bolts are very tight.

I followed Youtube how tos / pdfs while I was installing, so pretty sure everything's the right way up.

At the mo there's no spacer below the top bolt. I'm going have a reassemble & report back.

Thanks everyone...

[TwoBobRob]

You don't need a spacer under the top bolt, you may need another spacer under the stem to stop the steerer from 'topping out' inside the stem if you get my drift?

As Betty mentioned, you need a gap of some sort between top of stem and top of steerer.

[bobbbbsy]

is fekking annoying.. happens on the national freestyler with 2 different headsets and 2 different forks !

[Hellcat]

You don't need a spacer under the top bolt, you may need another spacer under the stem to stop the steerer from 'topping out' inside the stem if you get my drift?

As Betty mentioned, you need a gap of some sort between top of stem and top of steerer.

Thanks for spotting & clarifying...

Put another spacer under the stem & it all feels very tight now. Fingers crossed...

[TwoBobRob]

Sooo......

Just to clarify;  You've loosened the stem clamp bolts, given the top nut a nip and done the stem clamp bolts back up. That should be it.

There is one more thing - did you fit the headset cups yourself? there is always the possibility that they didn't go all the way home and each time you go riding you're hammering the cups home bit by bit. Sooner or later they'll hit home and your problem will go away.

Let's hope it's sorted now though 

[Hellcat]

Sooo......

Just to clarify;  You've loosened the stem clamp bolts, given the top nut a nip and done the stem clamp bolts back up. That should be it.

There is one more thing - did you fit the headset cups yourself? there is always the possibility that they didn't go all the way home and each time you go riding you're hammering the cups home bit by bit. Sooner or later they'll hit home and your problem will go away.

Let's hope it's sorted now though  

I took it all to bits to make sure I had all the bearings in the right way up, then cleaned & re-greased...& I added another spacer under the stem. Feels much tighter now so hopefully it's sorted.

I didn't fit the cups, the frame came with them in, & looks well ridden.

[Hellcat]

  All sorted, just back from a good Ali park session, still rock solid.

What I was doing wrong:

1: not having enough spacer below the stem, so the top bolt was flush, and not pressing down.

2: fastening the pinch bolts first, before the top bolt, so it didn't have chance to press down.

Yippee!

[TwoBobRob]

Cool. All sorted