Unusual noise from front end?

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_Jason_South_Wales_

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Over the last few rides on fire roads and bumpy gravel trails I've experienced a rattle/clunking noise from the front end
I originally thought it was the battery or cover but after checking again it now seems to be more like where the forks meet the frame?
I've attached a video and hopefully someone can give me their opinion for which I'll be very grateful.
Thanks in advance.
 
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_Jason_South_Wales_ said:
Over the last few rides on fire roads and bumpy gravel trails I've experienced a rattle/clunking noise from the front end
I originally thought it was the battery or cover but after checking again it now seems to be more like where the forks meet the frame?
I've attached a video and hopefully someone can give me their opinion for which I'll be very grateful.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Is the bike as shipped new or has the stem or forks been changed?
 
_Jason_South_Wales_ said:
Fox forks it originally came with.
I've tried posting an MP4 video but it won't let me?
Click to expand...
Has the stem been changed? Question is because if the stem bolt is a bit loose then the forks can move in the headset bearings.

Test: hold the front brake while rocking the bike backwards and forwards and you'll feel if there's any play.
 
Turn the bike upside down and grab hold of the front wheel. Rock it back and forth, try again at right angles. Does the fork steerer move in relation to the bottom of the top tube? Then you need to loosen the stem bolts, then tighten the top cap screw, then retighten the stem bolts (a bit at a time, in turns.)

If this has been happening for some time, your bearings might now be knackered. Hopefully, your top tube is still OK.

Why upside down? I find it is easier to see the movement at the bottom than at the top of the top tube.
 
irie said:
Has the stem been changed? Question is because if the stem bolt is a bit loose then the forks can move in the headset bearings.

Test: hold the front brake while rocking the bike backwards and forwards and you'll feel if there's any play.
Click to expand...
Definitely play when I do that. It seems like the forks are moving backwards and forwards in the frame if that makes sense?
The stem is the one that came with the bike..
 
steve_sordy said:
Turn the bike upside down and grab hold of the front wheel. Rock it back and forth, try again at right angles. Does the fork steerer move in relation to the bottom of the top tube? Then you need to loosen the stem bolts, then tighten the top cap screw, then retighten the stem bolts (a bit at a time, in turns.)

If this has been happening for some time, your bearings might now be knackered. Hopefully, your top tube is still OK.

Why upside down? I find it is easier to see the movement at the bottom than at the top of the top tube.
Click to expand...
It's only recently started every now and again on uneven trails.
The top bolt isnt tight at all but if I tighten it more it seems like the spacer might get bent down
 
Last edited:
Sounds like you have a loose headset. It is not hard to correct. Loosen the stem bolts on the steer tube and then tighten the top cap bolt slowly while rocking the bike a little to ensure the fork is seated. IF you have a Fox 36 with the pinch bolt- make sure its tight obviously but also that the shim has not got lost. Keep us updated!
 
steve_sordy said:
Turn the bike upside down and grab hold of the front wheel. Rock it back and forth, try again at right angles. Does the fork steerer move in relation to the bottom of the top tube? Then you need to loosen the stem bolts, then tighten the top cap screw, then retighten the stem bolts (a bit at a time, in turns.)

If this has been happening for some time, your bearings might now be knackered. Hopefully, your top tube is still OK.

Why upside down? I find it is easier to see the movement at the bottom than at the top of the top tube.
Click to expand...
The
It seems like the forks are moving backwards and forwards in the frame when I tested it?
SP SUSPENSION said:
Sounds like you have a loose headset. It is not hard to correct. Loosen the stem bolts on the steer tube and then tighten the top cap bolt slowly while rocking the bike a little to ensure the fork is seated. IF you have a Fox 36 with the pinch bolt- make sure its tight obviously but also that the shim has not got lost. Keep us updated!
Click to expand...
Fox34 on mine I think. I will check in the morning.
It's a
2022 Cube Reaction Hybrid SLT 750 29.
Thanks.
 
@_Jason_South_Wales_ It is no good just tightening the top cap by itself. The stem bolts are clamping the fork steerer in place. That will be why the top cap is bending.

It is an easy job, but loosen and retighten the stem bolts in stages. Use a torque wrench if you have one 5Nm should do it. If not as long as you use one of those "L" shaped Allen keys and just use your fingers you should be fine.

By "fingers", I don't mean just finger and thumb. Use all of them, just one hand.

Sorry for what may seem to some that I am patronising. I don't mean to be, but if someone has never been shown how to do it, then they need step by step advice. :)
 
If it is your headset that’s loose, it might be an excellent opportunity to strip it down and check your bearings, if they’re still fine it would be an even better idea to apply some grease to the headset cups and bearings to extend their life 👍😉
 
Super easy. Follow SP Suspensions advice above. If that doesn’t work and you are still confused.
LBS that bike before you strip/bust/bleed something.
Ask LBS if you can watch them (doesn't have to be your bike just a similar issue) do it right. Most can’t fix issues right away, but I’ve learned a few tricks by asking and watching.
 
Not too much force on the top cap - 1 or 2 Nm compared to the stem clam 5 or 6 Nm.
 
_Jason_South_Wales_ said:
Over the last few rides on fire roads and bumpy gravel trails I've experienced a rattle/clunking noise from the front end
I originally thought it was the battery or cover but after checking again it now seems to be more like where the forks meet the frame?
I've attached a video and hopefully someone can give me their opinion for which I'll be very grateful.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Check your battery bracket,i had a similar noise once,i took battery out and a bolt was loose holding the bracket to the inner side of the frame
 
Park tools video are a great resource for beginners too.
Just go to youtube and search for Park tool headset adjustment which will get you here.
 
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