I’ve just installed a new FSA Orbit MX, and have a problem with the tension. If I tighten the top allen bolt (with stem bolts loose) to the point of removing play, then the steering becomes too tight and doesn’t move very freely.

However, to get the steering to move freely enough, the bolt is too loose and there’s noticeable play in the headset.

Both sealed bearing cartridges and races were lightly greased before installation.

Can anyone help with ideas?

octuple check that there isn’t something fitted in the wrong order.

Mine is also very slightly loose, just enough to creak. I think they come up slightly small.

something in the wrong order / upside down causing binding.

I’ve stripped it, rebuilt it several times, still the same problem. The bearing cartridges are angled so can only go in one way around.

From the top:

topcap
——
stem
spacers
——
bearing cover
top race
rubber seal
bearing cartridge
top cup
——
head tube
——
bottom cup
bearing cartridge
rubber seal
lower race
——

Generally I find that headtubes don’t need facing, but on my current bike after pressing the headset, even the smallest amount of preload was causing binding. In the end having the headtube faced solved the problem.

If you do have everything in the right way and still can’t get it sorted it might be worth a try.

Sorted. Stripped down again, and discovered the rubber seals were the wrong way up. Doh.

Cheers.