Threaded headset slightly sticky in straight ahead... Replace?

[Fordulike]

I've got a pretty standard Neco threaded headset on my bike. I've noticed when doing my weekly checks, that the steering sticks slightly in the straight ahead position when rotating the handlebars through its full range.

Here is an excerpt from the Park Tool blog reference headsets:

'' Bearings on a bicycle allow the parts to rotate relative to one another. The headset allows the fork to turn smoothly while riding. Bicycles, and all two wheeled vehicles, make small self-corrections in steering while traveling forward. If the headset is pitted or worn, these corrections are not made smoothly and handling suffers. Very worn headsets tend to "lock up" when the front wheel is pointing straight. Pick up the front of the bike, and gently swing the handlebars back and forth from center. Pitting in the cups will cause the headset to stick as it passes through center position. A pitted headset should be replaced. New headsets are pressed into the frame and fork ''

I had ridden the bike for a few hundred miles with a loose headset, until I noticed and tightened it correctly, so I wonder if it's been damaged and needs replacing.

Can anyone advise please.

 

[VictoryV]

I've got a pretty standard Neco threaded headset on my bike. I've noticed when doing my weekly checks, that the steering sticks slightly in the straight ahead position when rotating the handlebars through its full range.





I had ridden the bike for a few hundred miles with a loose headset, until I noticed and tightened it correctly, so I wonder if it's been damaged and needs replacing.

Can anyone advise please.

There is an effect in ball bearings called "Brinelling" where if the bearing is subject to impact at the same location then the bearing face hardens and deforms. this used to happen in car wheel bearings when transported by train and the old "clickety clack" non continuous welded track applied regular impacts at each track section causing brinelling in the car wheel bearings and subsequent failure. I suspect you have suffered tthe same problem and only a bearing replacement will suffice - ensure it is properly adjusted as well

 

[Fordulike]

There is an effect in ball bearings called "Brinelling" where if the bearing is subject to impact at the same location then the bearing face hardens and deforms. this used to happen in car wheel bearings when transported by train and the old "clickety clack" non continuous welded track applied regular impacts at each track section causing brinelling in the car wheel bearings and subsequent failure. I suspect you have suffered tthe same problem and only a bearing replacement will suffice - ensure it is properly adjusted as well

Sweet, thanks VictoryV.

One more question, are most modern MTB threaded headsets 1 1/8”?

 

[trex]

if your headset feels notchy or slightly loose, then you will need to re-install it anyway. Clean and plenty of grease. If it still feels notchy after you have greased it then the bearings need replacing.

 

[Alan Quay]

if your headset feels notchy or slightly loose, then you will need to re-install it anyway. Clean and plenty of grease. If it still feels notchy after you have greased it then the bearings need replacing.

+1. Take it apart, add plenty of grease, put it back together. It'll probably be fine after that.

 

[Fordulike]

I'm gonna bite the bullet and replace the headset. They're only a few quid and I want to learn more about bike maintenance.

Is the MTB threaded headset standard 1 1/8" these days?
I can't for the life of me find out the spec info of my headset. Just states sealed headset.

If anyone else wants to have a go at looking for the specs, it's a Ridgeback 604LX.

They're cheap enough, so I might just grab a 1" and 1 1/8" and fit the correct one when I've stripped the bike.

 

[Fordulike]

Ha ha, it always pays to look
The size was stamped on the existing headset - 1 1/8".

Anyway, I took the stem off and undid the two nuts. Sealed bearings my arse!
The top and bottom caged bearings were caked in gritty grease, where my dusty forest rides had obviously taken their toll.

Cleaned the bearings up and applied some fresh grease.

No more straight ahead stickiness and the steering feels much smoother.

Thanks to all for the info and tips