Creeking headset - is it done?

[Plyphon]

Hey,

Today I noticed a faint rattling / knocking whilst riding - I stopped and then also saw my bars had moved and my headset was slightly loose, and the headset had a groan at certain angles.

It's been a few busy weeks with BikePark Wales and Forest of Dean, and then a few trails at Swinley today, so maybe something worked itself loose. No biggie.

I tighten it at the trail side and that seemed to get rid of the knocking/rattle. When I got home I took the fork out, cleared all debris and grease, regreased the mating faces and compression collar, and torque it all back up to spec.

Whilst now it feels tight again, the headset still has a slight creaking noise. Do we think that headset is done? The bike is only a year old which isn't long, but I guess it's possible.

Is there a better headset I can replace the stock one with?

Thanks!

 

[dreys]

Amflow uses drop-in bearings, and if anything, bearings would feel rough. While bearings can creak, that's not very common for drop-in headset.

The most common cause for creaking, however, are the fork's uppers. Fox forks are know for creaking CSU, and I would suggest looking into CSU first as it most likely the cause of creaking.

 

[Plyphon]

Hmm, I don't think its the CSU creak - I'm familiar with that sound. This is more within the headset for sure.

I'll keep an eye on it.

 

[Brawwp]

Take apart again, re-clean well, grease, torque in proper order to spec again. That stupid knock block area let’s dust/dirt in. I had mine creak and didn’t clean it well enough and had to redo it once. Been fine ever since. I taped over the knock block area. I know some people sell a piece of plastic that screws in there too.

 

[Plyphon]

Take apart again, re-clean well, grease, torque in proper order to spec again. That stupid knock block area let’s dust/dirt in. I had mine creak and didn’t clean it well enough and had to redo it once. Been fine ever since. I taped over the knock block area. I know some people sell a piece of plastic that screws in there too.

Thanks - I was thinking the same this morning. I did it somewhat hastily after the ride yesterday and I don't think I properly cleaned out the headtube. I will get a degreaser on it, also.

Will look for that bit of plastic!

 

[Plyphon]

As an update:

I fully stripped and degreased it all today. There was a lot of crud in the lower race where the knockblock hole is for sure. Made sure to get that all out.

However, I also noticed the lower bearing was very scratchy. The top bearing was fine, so maybe it was luck of the draw - or maybe it's related to the hole letting in crud right up into that lower bearing and that causing premature wear.

Bit frustrated as the bike is only a year old - but, I have put it through some of the worst riding conditions both in terms of rain and intensity that I've ever done, so perhaps it's just one of those things.

I stripped the bearing and fully degreased, and regreased it up using the 'no amount of grease is too much' mantra of bearing assembly. Fit it back into the frame with the same approach.

Now the bearing doesn't creak and the headset feels like it did beforehand. In the mean time I will look for a bearing to replace that lower bearing with for when it gets a bit worse, but hoping I'll get a good year longer from it.

 

[Brawwp]

Glad to hear! Yes dude that knock block hole immediately lets dust/dirt in. Maybe a small foam piece then tape over it could work? I just taped over mine but it still gets some buildup in there. It’s amazing how much gets into that spot