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Excessive Headstock Play

Posted: Fri May 26, 2017 11:35 pm
by GeorgeMoroz
Hello All,

so i replaced my headstock bearings and tightened the castle nut as per the manual, however there was still play, so tightened it some more which got rid of the play but its back, is there a chance that the is because the bearings are still seating so i just keep adjusting it? or is there something darker like a bad headstock?

cheers

Re: Excessive Headstock Play

Posted: Sat May 27, 2017 9:15 am
by Ewetea
When you installed the outer race of the bearings in the headstock they should have been pressed in until they seated on the internal shoulder. The usual technique is to use a thick piece of metal or hard wood laid across the outer race to smack it in. During that process, a "ringing" noise should be heard, which indicates that the race has reached the internal shoulder. If necessary, the old outer race can be positioned on the new one to ensure it is driven home - sometimes they seat just below the level of the headstock. Since you have slack appearing after a period of riding, it is likely that one of the outer races was not fully driven home. It is likely that it was the lower race. The weight of the bike is transmitted through that item, and with additional load under braking, it may be gradually creeping into the headstock. Either strip out the front end and make sure the race is seated, or keep checking the play until it is stable.

Re: Excessive Headstock Play

Posted: Sat May 27, 2017 10:55 am
by GeorgeMoroz
thanks for that! im going to tighten the castle nut until there is no play, if i then get play after that then ill strip the frint end. thanks again