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I have noticed one of my bikes which is around 4 years old has a nasty cracking noise coming from the steerer tube.
Took a little while to track it down but found its definitely the steerer moving a tiny amount in the crown.
Under heavy braking it would move and crack then when pressing down on the front end it would do the same.
It's on a set of rock shox which I guess have the steerer bonded in from new.
First of all is it dangerous? I'm guessing the worst thing that can happen is it eventually comes very lose and turning the bars will turn the steerer tube but not the crown which in turn means the wheel doesn't turn.
The steerer can only come out downwards so no chance of that happening.
Can new steelers be pressed/bonded in if sent away? Or am I looking at a new set of lowers, crown and steerer?
Don't want to be having any nasty accidents.
Thanks in advance.
are you sure it's not the headset? I'd strip it down and check it all out.
Early days to be saying its the CSU. Maybe it's worn out headset bearings but only one way to find out: time to take apart and have a look.
I had a similar issue, turned out to be the insert in the star nut turning, rather than tightening the top cap down onto the steerer. New star nut sorted it straight away.
if you like being able to walk and speak you need to take it apart and have a look
Definitely the steerer tube guys.
My first thoughts were headset cup moving in the frame. Ovalised head tube job but no.
I've had it all apart and fitted another set of forks and the noise goes away.
I've put the steerer tube in the vice and applied a small amount of press's to lower fork legs and it cracks and creaks.
I can see a tiny amount of movement where the steerer is bonded in to the crown.
Forks = bin then I'm afraid.
Have had a snapped steerer, whilst doing skyline descent. Flying over the sheered metal spike of a steerer whilst still holding the bar and stem which were only connected to the bike by cables is not something I would recommend.
That sounds like death, do not ride them anymore.
Take up with the mftr as steerers are not meant to come loose from crowns ever, unless you crashed them.
yes dont ride them and seek redress depeding on age
Find out what the problem is *now*...
Rachel
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Thanks guys.
Got me thinking of old Marzocchi forks. I had an set years ago where the steerer could be removed.
Quite a nice idea and never had any problems with them. 2 6mm bolts held it on place I believe.
@Rachel is that a vp free? my snapped steerer happened to be on a SC vp free with manitou triples....
@DT78 - as it happens, yes it is! I will admit that I never thought to check the steerer in about two years so I blame myself completely.
Was easy enough to fit a new steerer to the 888 forks.
Rachel
Only other person I,ve heard of to snap the top of the steerer and it was the same bike.....
Out of interest what RS forks are they?
Just having a garage clearout and got a CSU from a set of RS Toras/Recon Silvers that are kicking about if you need them to get you going again?
A
My 426 pikes creaked when pulling up on either side of the bars.Sprayed loads of wd40 down the steerer and hay presto...Fixed.Put it down to the solid bung that,s in the bottom of them.They,ve never creaked again. 😉
I had some Marzocchi forks that creaked at the stantion/crown interface. I was told from bike shops etc that it wasnt that area and they would be fine. Sent them away regardless and were promptly replaced. Its not worth the risk IMHO.
Out of interest what RS forks are they?
Just having a garage clearout and got a CSU from a set of RS Toras/Recon Silvers that are kicking about if you need them to get you going again?
A
The forks are rock shox recon. I'll check the exact model.
As for spraying wd40 on the steerer, I guess this will work but is only masking the problem.
If there is movement it is only going to get worse.
For the amount they are moving which is only just noticeable to the eye I don't think they are going to be any way dangerous for steady riding. I can't see the steerer is going to come lose.
I certainly won't be doing any hard riding on them though.
Thanks.
Please video every ride, just so we can see you slide down the road on your face when the forks come apart.
Okey dokes - they are sat here doing nothing so if you (or anyone else!) decides they don't want to take the risk of a face to road/trail/rock meeting then let me know - e-mail in profile!
A
Stop using right away - you really, really don't want your steerer to part company with the crown while you're riding. It's a press fit and now it's moving, so there really isn't anything much holding it in...
matlockmeat.The wd40 method was to stop the bottom bung creaking.The steerer itself was spot on anywho. 😉
I've given away shagged forks on here as plenty of people want them for spares, and I got them for free so couldn't really sell them on.
Araldite and a hairdryer and you're golden