marleyisdead

Despite the best efforts of my LBS and multiple attempts on my part I can't my headset properly adjusted. The bike is a 2013 Pinarello Rokh with over 30K miles. The headset bearings have been replaced once because of corrosion and worked fine for many miles. Over the last 6 months it became loose. We can get it snug enough that it doesn't rattle but then the steering doesn't track right. Loosen the top bolt enough to get good steering and when you hold the front brake and rock the bike you can feel a little "snick" as the bearings rock in the cups. Visual inspection of the top bearing looks and feels fine. Any thoughts would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

Bearings look like this: https://glorycycles.com/pinarello-headset-bearing/

Iride01 

Just a really wild stab at guessing............ wrong size bearings somehow got put in during one of the maintenance deals? caged bearings or loose? If loose then maybe one or two fell out. However being threadless, I don't know. I'd have thought all threadless would be caged bearings. But maybe not.

fietsbob

Is it an integrated headset type frame/fork? internet seems to say so..

marleyisdead

I think you would describe it that way. Bearings fit into the head tube. Sorry to be so obtuse. I'm not hanging around the LBS these days for obvious reasons.

fietsbob

Our LBS in this town Is an Essential business..
people want to avoid public transit, even more than usual now..

marleyisdead

Yea same here. My boys have as much work as they can handle. I still throw them as much business as possible. But I'm not hanging around the shop right now.

Iride01 

Not certain how hanging around the LBS got to be part of this, BUT......

You don't have to hang around the LBS. Just take it to them and drop it off. I'm sure they'll meet you at the door if you don't want to go in. Most will look at it and give you an estimate for free. If you don't like it, you can pick up the bike and do something else. If it's been an issue from the same LBS, then I might consider using another. Or at least tell them you are concerned about why they can't seem to get it right.

However I'm doing a lot of supposing about information you haven't given. So if incorrect don't worry about it.

marleyisdead

The LBS has tried repeatedly and so have I. That's why I'm asking for help. We can't seem to get it right. Anybody have this problem and figured out how to get it right? The procedure is loosen the handlebar clamp, adjust the top bolt, test for tightness, re-tighten the handlebar bolts, test again and ride. We can't seem to get it right..

aggiegrads

Are you sure that the stem cap isn't bottoming out on the expansion plug or steerer tube? You might need a little bit of extra spacer. Have you replaced the stem or changed the stack recently?

Is anything clamped below the stem, like a brake hangar?

fietsbob

if they can get it right with it right there in front of them I am just an old guy in a small town. playing 20 guesses/questions

seating of bearing in frame machined accurately? clean? Is crown race seat done just as well ?

have they changed the bearing spec in the middle of the production batch?

Old school hack before sealed Bearing headsets.. We cut a piece of inner'tube stretched it over the lower headset ,
then put the fork in.\

maybe a rubber O ring can fill the gap to keep wheel-spray out.

Mudguards work well , in keeping the crud out of your lower headset race..





..

marleyisdead

The brake bolt is below the bearings. But I haven't checked the stem cap against the steerer tube or the bolt that connects the fork to the head tube (what we used to call the star nut in the old days.) Maybe the steerer tube bolt is sitting taller and affecting the stem cap.
Thanks I'll check it out.

Iride01 

A little play isn't a bad thing. But not being there in person to experience it I certainly can't say. At the point bearing tightness eliminates all play, you quickly get to the point were they make noises and feel rough when rotated. I almost always have a little bit of perceptible play in the adjustment of wheel and headset bearings and even BB spindles back in the day I used cup and cone BB's.

Though I know the play is in there on bearing I adjust, I doubt many others would perceive it much less be able to see it. Are you certain this isn't what you are experiencing? It's not something you should feel riding or other normal use. But locking your brake and rocking in a quiet room?

Also, if you haven't pulled that bottom bearing to assure it's condition and also made certain how the steerer tube fits through all the things it has to fit with, then those need to be looked at.

Rogerogeroge

Make sure that the expansion plug isn't creeping up.

marleyisdead

Hey all,
Thanks. I think you gave me something to work with: expansion plug, steerer nut, acceptable level of play. Most helpful.
I'll report out if I find something.

Now I understand why the LBS left some play in it. Does no harm if it's minimal and it works.

Best regards,
marley

marleyisdead

We have a winner. The expansion plug was not perfectly seated. I tapped the expansion plug fully in and re-tightened the fork bolt. This allowed me to tighten the top bolt correctly. Now I have no play and the bearings feel perfect.

Thanks to everyone for helping me think this through.

aggiegrads

Thanks for following up on the thread with the solution that worked.