Mounting the steering bearings

With the Aheadset steering system, maintenance is much simpler, which does not mean that there is nothing to do, it’s just easier! Let’s see how to go up the steering play.

Mechanical summary

Pictures © Frédéric Iehl

The tools

Bring a cloth, an 8 mm Allen key and hydrophobic grease, you will only need your hands afterwards!

The main purpose of grease is to protect the bearings from moisture.

An 8 mm Allen key is generally useful for the compression mechanism.

Time and difficulty

In a maximum of 10 minutes it should be over, if you have all the parts it’s easy. We assume that you ride « new » with a complete kit. Of course, if it is a renewal, it will be necessary to have the right bearings. And it will be necessary to clean the fork, the inside of the steering socket and the bearing ranges with degreaser before starting.

Bearings are not standard. First there is the diameter given in a fraction of an inch, 1″1/8 (28.5 mm) or 1″1/4 (31.7 mm) or 1″1/2 (38.1 mm), then there is the height of the bearing, then the inner and outer angles of its ranges (from 36° to 45°)… This information is usually indicated on the side of the bearing. FSA credit

Stage 1

Of course everything is clean! We will thoroughly grease the lower and upper spans of the bearings. The goal is to improve the sealing of the bearings.

Stage 2

The bearing is then placed in his home. Sometimes it is necessary to force by distributing the effort over the entire circumference.

Stage 3

The fat bearings are covered to protect them. We rarely touch them afterwards but they still suffer.

Stage 4

The fork is then set up.

Étape 5

There is a conical and split washer that must take place in the upper bearing.

Stage 6

This washer is placed and plaqued as much as possible in the bearing.

Stage 7

The steering cover can contain a joint or even spacer washers. Make sure that everything is in place before inserting it on the pivot.

Stage 8

When the hood is applied, it is checked that nothing compromises the rotation. Here the joint is a little out of his home. We replace it without delay.

Stage 9

The washers are then set up.

Stage 10

As there is grease everywhere, we clean with a cloth or even degreaser.

Stage 11

The pivot must be as « dry » as possible so as not to be « sliding ».

Stage 12

At this time, the fork insert is blocked. This sometimes inflates the pivot and sometimes makes the passage of parts difficult.

Stage 13

To limit the tightening torque and make it more effective, a composite paste can be used.

Or apply tubular cement to the pivot. It will then be necessary to wait 24 hours to mount the gallows. But the gripping side will remain permanently, without collage..

Mechanical summary

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