Cannondale Synapse headset bearings replacement?
07-18-22, 04:58 PM
#1
Mostly Harmless
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[Solved] Cannondale Synapse headset bearings replacement?
I have a 2018 Cannondale Synapse AL SE. It is creaking, and I think it is coming from the steering head. I’ve tried adjusting the preload, and dissembled and greased the headset assembly. The bike is fairly high mileage for its age, 28,000 miles.
I’d like to try new bearings, but I am having a hard time finding an exact match. The factory headset bearings (upper and lower are identical) are marked “TH MR100 1-1/4 45°X45° A8”.
The closest match I’ve found is identical except for the last two letters. “TH MR100 1-1/4 45°X45° CO” What does the last two letters designate? Might that be a lot number or manufacturing facility?
I’d like to try new bearings, but I am having a hard time finding an exact match. The factory headset bearings (upper and lower are identical) are marked “TH MR100 1-1/4 45°X45° A8”.
The closest match I’ve found is identical except for the last two letters. “TH MR100 1-1/4 45°X45° CO” What does the last two letters designate? Might that be a lot number or manufacturing facility?
Last edited by Tony_G; 07-19-22 at 12:07 PM. Reason: add "solved" to title
07-18-22, 09:15 PM
#2
Clark W. Griswold
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How did you determine the area of the problem and what have you done to eliminate the problem beyond just a little bit of headset work? I am not saying that replacing bearings are a bad thing after that amount of time but I am also curious how you got to that one spot and know it is the bearings? Bicycle noises can come from anywhere for any number of reasons not just right where you think it is happening. Sometimes it is a loose QR skewer or a bolt somewhere or a bike that needs some grease or worse there is a crack. Sometimes it is the area you thought it was and the problem you thought it was but not always.
07-19-22, 02:56 AM
#3
Mostly Harmless
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Thanks for your reply. I have done diagnostics that have eliminated the crank, seat, and seat post. I’ve found no cracks on the frame or forks. The creak may or may not be the headset bearings, but they didn’t feel like new so I will replace them.
07-19-22, 07:08 AM
#4
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That's an FSA part number as TH industries is the parent company of FSA. I expect the last two letters indicate either sealing type or bearing material. Otherwise they should be interchangeable as the dimensions are identical.
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07-19-22, 08:06 AM
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You can also just pry off the seals of the HS bearing, flush and re-grease it. Many times that's all they need rather than replace.
07-19-22, 08:17 AM
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Replacing the bearings won't fix a creaking sound. Unless perhaps it's just that you aren't properly getting the play out of them when you are adjusting the stem and headset. If it does fix it, it'll probably just be incidental to the replacement of the bearings.
07-19-22, 12:03 PM
#7
Mostly Harmless
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That's what I was hoping. I'll try them out.
07-19-22, 12:06 PM
#8
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