Do I need a new headset?

[backcountryeti]

So I took apart my headset the other day and cleaned and regreased the bearings. After putting everything together, everything seemed fine. After one road ride (its my commuter) the headset started to wobble, but weirdly only when the front brake is applied. Thats the only time you notice it though. So I have taken it apart, put it together, etc.. but it will not keep from wobbling, do I need a new one? Any ideas?

[TooManyTacos]

Sounds like maybe it's just loose? Loosen the stem and tighten down on the top cap. Then tighten the stem and loosen the top cap. It should load the bearings and then you'll be alright.

[BobBurnes]

Careful not to over-tighten the top cap. You only need a very very tiny amount of torque. If you had to tighten the top cap to the point the bars are grinding/ratching to turn, you're in need of a new headset.

[autoduel]

It's probably too loose. I tighten it enough that you can't feel it when rocking the bike back and forth with the front brake, but the bar and wheel will turn on it's own if you lift the front end up off the ground about 30 degrees.

[FyrFytrRyn]

is it a suspension fork? maybe it needs to be rebuilt, stanchions might be moving around on the lowers.

[backcountryeti]

Thanks for the thoughts, I have tried tightening the top cap, just when I think its okay, I will ride it and after a while it will be loose again. I will keep messing with it.

Originally Posted by FyrFytrRyn

is it a suspension fork? maybe it needs to be rebuilt, stanchions might be moving around on the lowers.

It is a suspension fork, but it seems its clearly the headset. I might replace the fork anyway with a rigid steel one, just for fun though.

[Edog]

Check your crown race is lined up, you may have left out or replaced the top race incorrectly if it had one

[FyrFytrRyn]

oh oh. how new is the stem? sometimes the stem can stretch a little bit, allowing the two sides being pulled together by the bolts that clamp the steerer to touch. this keeps the steerer from getting tightened fully, and can slip. could be it.

[Red Hot Sloth]

Another vote for proper bearing load, it could seem like its loaded correctly when on the stand if the lower race isn't seated properly.
Is it a cartidge bearing or an open race bearing type. If its an open race type, you could easily need to replace if everything is indeed seated and loaded correctly, then upon ride time comes loose. Its just less likely this would be the case if its a cartridge bearing, although is possible.
Or maybe your star-fangled nut is stripped? You know just a little bit so that you cant tell until you apply some riding force to it causing it to pass a thread or two?
If its a cheap (inexpensive) headset, just buy another?
I have a Cane Creek that I've had for 6 or 7 years, it only cost me $30 bucks, has cartridge bearings, and is still in top-notch condition. Its an S-2 I think.

[2wheel_lee]

Originally Posted by backcountryeti

So I took apart my headset the other day and cleaned and regreased the bearings. After putting everything together, everything seemed fine. After one road ride (its my commuter) the headset started to wobble, but weirdly only when the front brake is applied. Thats the only time you notice it though. So I have taken it apart, put it together, etc.. but it will not keep from wobbling, do I need a new one? Any ideas?

Since you cleaned and regreased the bearings, it hints that you have a loose-ball headset (instead of a cartridge type). A common error when reassembling loose-ball headsets is that one or both of the bearings may have been installed upside down. The results of an improperly installed bearing are often similar to what you describe. It's hard to explain which direction loose-ball bearings go without a picture, though.

Could you post some pictures of the bearing orientation? You may be able to simply reverse the bearing orientation of the incorrectly installed bearing(s), and everything will be fine.