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now ive had this hope standard headset from new about a year and a half....im getting a rather strange cracking/creaking noise from it all of a sudden? its defitintely the front end as when i push down on the forks it happens standing still (no movement other than pressure on the forks) its like a loud creak/crack it doesnt do it moving, sat down climbing etc and when the fork is locked out...but as soon as i climb out the saddle putting pressure on the forks it does it again...ive stopped numerous times tonight and again does it standing still when pressure is put on the forks (compressing)...so its either the headset or the forks? is the headset likely to need servicing? when i twist the bars side to side it moves freely enough, though there is a bit of the same noise when it goes to the right hand side of the frame again stood still...
funnily enough to confuse somemore, when i took my wheel out after the ride, i compressed the fork and the noise didnt exist, neither in lockout or open..stationary the same as above, but without the wheel in?
any idea good folks of STW?
Just take it all apart, put bearings in with clean grease and clean all the collars - its prob dirt/dust between 2 metal surfaces - I had it last weekend and now all clean (as I have done this a few times now) it is gone!
http://www.cyclistno1.co.uk/features/maintenance/hope-headset-service.htm
I would suggest peaking inside most headsets at least every year if not 6 months to check ingress of dirt etc?
cheers foxy good to know its not just mine - just to confirm does it sound like if you put pressure on like your bars are about to snap? that sort of cracking type noise? mine are new haven carbon bars so assuming its not them 😆
is removal of the actual bearings that simple? they just pull out of the cups?
and i assume i dont need to change the bearings? or will i need new ones too?
Yup that's the sound esp when out the saddle - I also have carbon bars, sometimes it can be in the stem/steerer or bar/stem interface - just take the headset apart and clean everything and clean and grease the bearings and cups a little and should be fine- The bearings are stainless and even if a bit gritty can be DIY serviced but pulling off the seals very carefully, cleaning with degreaser and regreased and seal put back on (but eventually need to be replaced) but mine have been going for 3 years now on teh original bearings 🙂
Just a quick check that the stem plate to the handle bar isnt tightened unevenly, i've had that before and that makes a mad squeak/groan
Yup as Gixerator said sometimes it is there - Do one or the other and test if its gone - will tell you where its coming from? As said above its usually either the bearing/cup interface, grit between collars/headtube, stem/steerer dirt or bar/stem plate 🙂
cheers guys!
all torqued up ok as i have a torque wrench and did them all evenly, im very careful tightening on carbon....
cant understand why it doesnt do it without the wheel in though? it sounds fine when just pushing down with no wheel in?
defo give the headset a good servicing though, and check all the above 🙂
just a bump - someone has suggested perhaps its the ferrules??? can i just lube these? and as stupid as it sounds which bits exactly are these? the bits of plastic that go into the shifters?
i cant understand why it doesnt do it when the wheels out?? its not the wheel bearings as they are silky smooth?
Write a list down of all the things you think it could be
And then clean / lube / test for creaks [i]one at a time[/i]
Could be any number of things, frames can transmit creaks. I had a clicking coming from the headtube area and it turned out to be the bearing had gone gritty in my non drive side bottom bracket.
The ferrules are little bits of plastic on the end of the gear cables to stop grit getting inside the cables, unlikely but they might creak - I'd just grease the gear cable mounts to be sure.
The ferrules (which are the caps on the end of the cable outers) can click when they move inside the cable stops on the frames - This usually occurs when you turn the handlebars rather than pull and push on them such as when you are climbing or out the saddle?
its defo front end as its does the same when stationary, so at least i can put it down to forks/headset/bars/stem/cables etc...
its not a constant creak which im pleased about, i had a cracked pro2 rear hub that took a while to source the culprit and a fair bit of cash and time and shiteee annoying rides!
this is not in the same league as that, but more obvious climbing out the saddle and descending/climbing rocky stuff, guessing when the bars/suspension are moving the most...
still cant even begin to understand why it doesnt do it all with no wheel in though...
im gonna take a bet and say its the headset though, moving the bars right to left stationary give the same noise only not as loud/bad cracking
foxyrider - MemberThe ferrules (which are the caps on the end of the cable outers) can click when they move inside the cable stops on the frames - This usually occurs when you turn the handlebars rather than pull and push on them such as when you are climbing or out the saddle?
yeah i did think it didnt sound right, as it does it when the bikes still and no movement left or right, just simply pushing straight down on the forks/bars with no movement left of right...
foxy im gonna go with your thoughts and get the headset serviced tonight 🙂
Give the h/s a good clean and see.
If the bars & forks are old or well used I'd take a good look at them.
I ignored a creaking from the front of my d/hill bike for a while when I first got properly into riding (but not maintaining) bikes.
I had a huge off when the steerer tube snapped and was lucky to walk away. Horror story I know, but I am really careful now to have a healthy sounding bike! If in doubt replace, bones can take a long time to heal!
That's my best guess OW 🙂 and if you have not touched it in over a year it could do with a service anyhow 🙂
cheers folks! DT - new haven carbon bars - forks under a year old and recently upgraded/service by loco...glad you walked away alive, sounds nasty!
foxy - its actually 18 months and ive not touched the bearings are once...i defo cleaned up the other bits about 3 months back when i had to take the forks out for a service, but not the bearing cups or bearings at all....
I've had that from a topcap /stem interface as the SFN wasnt in quite right. If you can be arsed to find the source doing it bit by bit then you'l need to check each bolt aswell or just strip and clean and redo everything including all bolts with appropriate grease / paste.
rightttty its definitely cured the creak thats for sure! it moves smooth as again and there is no cracking noise at all compressing , so result and thanks for the advice! full serviced headset and bearings etc and a good clean!
howwwwever, typically its not got rid of every noise 🙁 ive now got a tiny click type noise upon generally when the forks are compressing and moving the bars....it doesnt do it stationary...could it be as simple as the cables are hitting the bar slightly...thing is it sounds more like a click than a clunk of it hitting the bars etc???
can headsets click too?
cheeers!