tightening aheadsets whats the secret

[2020mad]

Just in the process of changing my forks, gone to tighten everything  back up but can't get the play out of forks, even tightened to point of steering tight and still play in headset bearings, any tips this is doing my head in tryed for last 3 hours to do now.

[Bettyswallocks]

Have you got enough spacers fitted?

[2020mad]

Yes i accually had to take 1 out as forks were shorter than previous ones.

[Voodoocars]

Check that the crown race isnt loose on the steerer tube.They are normally quite bombproof- thats the only thing I can think of.What I do is nip the centre bolt down, then the stem bolts, then centre bolt and finally tighten stem bolts.Thatway its all clamped gradually.Make sure that the top of the forks is a few mm down inside the stem and the top bolt doesnt foul forks.

[Humps00]

Might also be worth changing the gripnut inside the forks if you've not already done so as it could be moving up the inside of the forks as you tighten it down.  Definitely need a spacer or the stem to be about 3mm above the forks otherwise the top cap won't sit properly.  I know it sounds silly but have you definitely got the bearings up the right way as that can produce the sympotms you describe with the non-sealed type.  Humps