Pings from the front end, threaded headset loosens
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Pings from the front end, threaded headset loosens
I have a couple of persistent things going on with the front of my Cannondale XR800.
One is a pinging noise that seems like it's coming from the wheel. Or maybe some worse problem. Not sure, have not been able to track it down.
The other is that my (threaded) headset keeps loosening. The jam nuts stay torqued to each other and they move together up threads. Every dozen miles or so I need to screw them back down by hand. The headset is a Stronglight needle bearing type. I don't think it's original to the frame.
I am curious if these could be related and what could be causing them. Could the ping noise be coming from the loose headset? Is something ruined?
One is a pinging noise that seems like it's coming from the wheel. Or maybe some worse problem. Not sure, have not been able to track it down.
The other is that my (threaded) headset keeps loosening. The jam nuts stay torqued to each other and they move together up threads. Every dozen miles or so I need to screw them back down by hand. The headset is a Stronglight needle bearing type. I don't think it's original to the frame.
I am curious if these could be related and what could be causing them. Could the ping noise be coming from the loose headset? Is something ruined?
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Is there a channel in the threads of the steerer that would let you use a keyed washer under the locknut? That would keep things from turning. Here's an example of the washer:
Another option is what my Bike Friday has (it's prone to loosening headsets due to the long stem). The locknut has a setscrew that can be tightened with an allen wrench once the headset if adjusted properly.
Another option is what my Bike Friday has (it's prone to loosening headsets due to the long stem). The locknut has a setscrew that can be tightened with an allen wrench once the headset if adjusted properly.
#3
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Regarding the headset, I would check that the split washer, as previously mentioned, is present. After that, check that the threads on the fork and nuts are in good condition.
Pinging spokes is usually indicative of looseness, so check for any excessively loose spokes.
Pinging spokes is usually indicative of looseness, so check for any excessively loose spokes.
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The Stronglight roller bearing headsets have aluminum threaded parts. Are they stripped so that they no longer hold securely?
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Man, I'd love an excuse to replace these wheels, Vuelta Corsa HD. But they should be overkill. 36h and straight gauge and deep section and low mileage and big tires. And it's the front. Emotionally, anyhow, it doesn't feel likely. Still I'll check the tension.
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Last edited by Darth Lefty; 06-21-16 at 08:34 PM.
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I had a bike with a threaded headset that kept coming loose every time i ran on rough roads. Also noticed the pinging noise. Kept tightening it as much as I could, to no avail, finally took it apart, found that the keyed washer between the locknut and the top race had been twisted through the threads and stripped so the key wasn't really doing anything when I tightened the locknut.
Replaced the washer, tightened the nut down properly (helps to have a headset wrench to hold the top race), and no issues since.
Replaced the washer, tightened the nut down properly (helps to have a headset wrench to hold the top race), and no issues since.
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Check for an obviously loose spoke or cracks in the rim around the spokes. You should also remove the tire and rim strip and inspect the inside of the rim. I've had rims crack between the spokes on the inside of the rim which can be the cause of creaking.
The other is that my (threaded) headset keeps loosening. The jam nuts stay torqued to each other and they move together up threads. Every dozen miles or so I need to screw them back down by hand. The headset is a Stronglight needle bearing type. I don't think it's original to the frame.
I am curious if these could be related and what could be causing them. Could the ping noise be coming from the loose headset? Is something ruined?
I am curious if these could be related and what could be causing them. Could the ping noise be coming from the loose headset? Is something ruined?
Ah, the joys of threaded headsets:roll eyes: As much as you are having to play with the headset, I'd say that it is toast already. You probably have pits in the cups and are well on your way to indexed steering.
Threaded headsets are prone to unscrewing. Mountain bikers from the 90s will tell you tales of having to replace headsets almost on a weekly basis because the damned things wouldn't stay tight during the stresses that mountain biking puts on the headset. There was a rather large cottage industry of collar locks for preventing the locknut from unscrewing that worked with only limited success. Some companies included them like this one.
You might still be able to find one (if your headset isn't toast) or you could use a shaft lock collar. Check McMaster-Carr for the shaft lock.
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Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
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Not directly, no. But looking at one, I see nothing that would keep it from loosening like every threaded headset I've ever owned. Nor do I see anything that would protect the headset body from damage if the headset is loose.
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Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
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Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
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#12
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Check to make sure the stack height is ok for the steerer length. If the steerer is too long you will FEEL like you are tightening the locknut against the adjustable race, when in fact you are just bottoming the nut out against the steerer without making "Locking" contact against the adjustable race.
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Thanks everyone for the things to check. I hope to return to my bike soon, this has been a busy week for me in non-bike life. I'll report back.
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But they apparently didn't fix the loosening problem...and I doubt that a loose headset does the bearings and races any good.
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Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
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Darth Lefty:
The Delta is functionally the same as the A-9. It's just more "space age" looking.