Creaky Headset, Slight Grease Leak, Ok to Keep Riding for Now?
01-09-21, 12:30 PM
#1
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 255
Bikes: Trek Domane SL 5
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 218 Post(s)
Liked 102 Times
in
48 Posts
Creaky Headset, Slight Grease Leak, Ok to Keep Riding for Now?
2020 Trek Domane SL 5.
So, a couple of weeks ago, I started developing a creaky/squeaky noise from the headset. Initially, I wasn't sure if it was the cable housing rubbing the stem or something else. Then I noticed a small amount of grease where the fork meets the headtube.
This all started after I washed the bike.
I called the LBS and they say they need to inspect it to tell me what's really wrong with it. Maybe the bearings need to be replaced.
They can't fit me in for a couple of weeks.
Is it ok to keep riding? Is there a chance I can do some damage if I keep riding with bearings that need to be replaced?
Aside from the annoyingly loud squeaky noises, everything works well (I don't turn the handlebars much anyway).
Thanks!
So, a couple of weeks ago, I started developing a creaky/squeaky noise from the headset. Initially, I wasn't sure if it was the cable housing rubbing the stem or something else. Then I noticed a small amount of grease where the fork meets the headtube.
This all started after I washed the bike.
I called the LBS and they say they need to inspect it to tell me what's really wrong with it. Maybe the bearings need to be replaced.
They can't fit me in for a couple of weeks.
Is it ok to keep riding? Is there a chance I can do some damage if I keep riding with bearings that need to be replaced?
Aside from the annoyingly loud squeaky noises, everything works well (I don't turn the handlebars much anyway).
Thanks!
01-09-21, 01:59 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Music City, USA
Posts: 4,444
Bikes: bikes
Mentioned: 52 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2622 Post(s)
Liked 1,429 Times
in
711 Posts
Undo the two stem bolts (probably M4), the top cap nut (probably M5 or 6), pull off the stem, spacers and headset cap. Then you can take a look at the bearing, pull them out (they just sit in), clean them, and put some grease on them.
Takes 5 mins.
Takes 5 mins.
Likes For rubiksoval:
01-09-21, 04:21 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 8,922
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4717 Post(s)
Liked 1,882 Times
in
998 Posts
Your bike is basically new, and it very rarely sees foul weather(we just don't have foul weather in AZ). Grease will seep a tiny bit from a new bike, and dust will stick to that. NBD
(edit) If it's creaking(and it's not a housing rub issue) it might need a tiny adjustment.
(edit) If it's creaking(and it's not a housing rub issue) it might need a tiny adjustment.
Last edited by noodle soup; 01-09-21 at 04:25 PM.
Likes For noodle soup:
01-09-21, 05:42 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: TC, MN
Posts: 39,520
Bikes: R3 Disc, Haanjo
Mentioned: 354 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20810 Post(s)
Liked 9,456 Times
in
4,672 Posts
He has a Domane SL, which has front IsoSpeed, so there will be a few more parts in there, but yeah, it's not too daunting.
01-10-21, 10:36 AM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,433
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 741 Post(s)
Liked 412 Times
in
230 Posts
Domane has that ISO Speed in the front end. I remember reading here somewhere from I think cxwrench that at some point, you need to use a torque wrench during the assembly process.
Likes For colnago62:
01-10-21, 10:49 AM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Québec, Canada
Posts: 2,112
Bikes: SL8 Pro, TCR beater
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 987 Post(s)
Liked 584 Times
in
439 Posts
2020 Trek Domane SL 5.
So, a couple of weeks ago, I started developing a creaky/squeaky noise from the headset. Initially, I wasn't sure if it was the cable housing rubbing the stem or something else. Then I noticed a small amount of grease where the fork meets the headtube.
This all started after I washed the bike.
I called the LBS and they say they need to inspect it to tell me what's really wrong with it. Maybe the bearings need to be replaced.
They can't fit me in for a couple of weeks.
Is it ok to keep riding? Is there a chance I can do some damage if I keep riding with bearings that need to be replaced?
Aside from the annoyingly loud squeaky noises, everything works well (I don't turn the handlebars much anyway).
Thanks!
So, a couple of weeks ago, I started developing a creaky/squeaky noise from the headset. Initially, I wasn't sure if it was the cable housing rubbing the stem or something else. Then I noticed a small amount of grease where the fork meets the headtube.
This all started after I washed the bike.
I called the LBS and they say they need to inspect it to tell me what's really wrong with it. Maybe the bearings need to be replaced.
They can't fit me in for a couple of weeks.
Is it ok to keep riding? Is there a chance I can do some damage if I keep riding with bearings that need to be replaced?
Aside from the annoyingly loud squeaky noises, everything works well (I don't turn the handlebars much anyway).
Thanks!
Unwanted friction is causing the sound so chances are that there's lubricant missing somewhere inside. Not sure if you can permanently damage parts if you ride it that way for an extended period of time though, but my guess would be no, not for a week or two.
Likes For eduskator:
01-10-21, 12:46 PM
#7
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 255
Bikes: Trek Domane SL 5
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 218 Post(s)
Liked 102 Times
in
48 Posts
Did you use a pressure washer to remove the grease leak? I am guessing grease leaked on your forks at the bottom of your head tube?
Unwanted friction is causing the sound so chances are that there's lubricant missing somewhere inside. Not sure if you can permanently damage parts if you ride it that way for an extended period of time though, but my guess would be no, not for a week or two.
Unwanted friction is causing the sound so chances are that there's lubricant missing somewhere inside. Not sure if you can permanently damage parts if you ride it that way for an extended period of time though, but my guess would be no, not for a week or two.
01-11-21, 08:56 AM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Québec, Canada
Posts: 2,112
Bikes: SL8 Pro, TCR beater
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 987 Post(s)
Liked 584 Times
in
439 Posts
That's what I thought. It's kind of odd that water would get inside the head tube with just pressure from a garden hose though. It should not get inside at all. Let me know what your LBS did and what was the issue. I think they'll service your headset (clean and re-grease) and it will be as new.
