My headset is coming loose on every ride. Is there a common assembly error that causes this?
The facts: - Bike is 15 years old, I have cleaned and repacked the headset a few times - Recently I cleaned and repacked, noticed there is plenty of space, so added extra ball bearings - Each morning, after my 10 mile commute, the head set becomes loose, I can turn the top screwed race by hand - So I tighten the screwed race until steering binds, and back off a fraction of a turn - Then I tighten the locknut hard - Yes, the notched washer is in place between the locknut and screwed race - Ten miles later, I can turn the race again
By adding a few bearings, I assume your headset has loose balls? You may have too many. There should be just enough to fill the cup, touching, with a small gap (usually a little less than the size of one ball) left over.
Take your headset apart again, line up the balls in the cup as best as you can and check. If there is no space, or you can't line them up "straight", remove a ball and see if that fixes it. be sure to check both top and bottom bearings.
May you have the wind at your back. And a really low gear for the hills! Chris
My headset is coming loose on every ride. Is there a common assembly error that causes this?
The facts: - Bike is 15 years old, I have cleaned and repacked the headset a few times
Have you been riding that same bike regularly for those 15 years? I'd be tempted to think that your headset races are worn. Look at the fork race, the two cups, and the adjustable race carefully, when they're completely greaseless. Any indentations or cracks are Bad. I've experienced in my rear hub when it had a badly worn cup that cup-and-cone bearings come loose when they're worn.
