Cannot screw pinch bolt back in after greasing (threadless headset)

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Viewing 14 posts - 1 through 14 (of 14 total)
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  • June 19, 2014 at 5:19 am #1004442
    Jason B
    Participant

    Zonks, what a late night PITA! Maybe remove the stem completely and slightly start each pinch bolt before placing the stem back on. It may be the top screw is adding some pressure that is misaligning them. Sorry that is all I can think of as I watch the cool lightning storm.

    June 19, 2014 at 7:18 am #1004444
    n18
    Participant

    There is always a learning curve with new problems, and “wasted” time when that happens. Few days ago it took me 2 hours to change a light bulb-I mean changing a dimmer. Here are some links that you might find helpful:

    http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Content_10052_10551_-1_AdjustThreadlessHeadset
    http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/threadless-headset-service

    June 19, 2014 at 10:50 am #1004446
    Anonymous
    Guest

    Have you tried getting the both bolts started w/ the stem off? Remove top cap, slide stem off, screw both bolts in just far enough to be secure but not too tight to get stem back on. Slide stem back on, tighten, reinstall top cap.

    Edit: never mind Jason already suggested just that

    June 19, 2014 at 1:18 pm #1004454
    peterw_diy
    Participant

    @Jason B 88712 wrote:

    Zonks, what a late night PITA! Maybe remove the stem completely and slightly start each pinch bolt before placing the stem back on

    +1 This is basic mechanical advice, something my dad showed me when changing a (car) tire. Anytime you have multiple bolts working together as on a stem or external BB crank, get all “started” by hand before tightening with tools, and tighten evenly (don’t crank one down and then move to another).

    June 19, 2014 at 1:48 pm #1004457
    Steve O
    Participant

    @n18 88714 wrote:

    Few days ago it took me 2 hours to change a light bulb…

    How many bike forum members does it take to change a light bulb?

    June 19, 2014 at 1:56 pm #1004458
    Geoff
    Participant

    If it doesn’t work, get a bigger hammer.

    It’s what we used to tell each other in my incarnation as a park ranger.

    June 19, 2014 at 2:00 pm #1004461
    KLizotte
    Participant

    @peterw_diy 88724 wrote:

    +1 This is basic mechanical advice, something my dad showed me when changing a (car) tire. Anytime you have multiple bolts working together as on a stem or external BB crank, get all “started” by hand before tightening with tools, and tighten evenly (don’t crank one down and then move to another).

    This was a mistake I made 😡

    June 19, 2014 at 6:38 pm #1004507
    KLizotte
    Participant

    Well, all of you were correct in how to fix the problem under *normal* circumstances. Unfortunately, my circumstances were not normal.

    Long story short, I still could not screw in the bolt even after disassembling the headset and the bolt itself looked funny. I finally gave up and took the bike to a mechanic who also could not get the bolt in. He noticed long curls of metal around the head of the bolt. Turns out the threading in the headset was messed up leading to the metal peeling off the screw (presumably when it was first installed under pressure). He cleaned out the gunk, re-threaded the headset, cleaned off the bolt, and reassembled the unit. The whole process took about 30 minutes.

    Hopefully that is the cause, and the solution, to my creaking problem. Haven’t had a chance to try out the bike yet so fingers crossed.

    Many thanks for your help! ;)

    P.S. to Specialized bike company. Please employ better quality control in your factories! Thank you.

    June 19, 2014 at 6:51 pm #1004511
    baiskeli
    Participant

    @KLizotte 88779 wrote:

    I finally gave up and took the bike to a mechanic who also could not get the bolt in. He noticed long curls of metal around the head of the bolt. Turns out the threading in the headset was messed up leading to the metal peeling off the screw (presumably when it was first installed under pressure).

    Glad it worked out.

    I hate to say this, but it might have been your attempts to screw the bolt in that shredded the threads. Please don’t hate me.

    June 19, 2014 at 7:15 pm #1004517
    KLizotte
    Participant

    That is what I initially thought but the mechanic pointed out that the stripped out part was near the bolt’s head not it’s tip and I would have only been able to strip the latter with what I was doing. I was also very conscious of not causing damage so didn’t apply much force. Who knows. I just hope the problems are fixed!!!

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    June 19, 2014 at 7:35 pm #1004521
    baiskeli
    Participant

    @KLizotte 88791 wrote:

    That is what I initially thought but the mechanic pointed out that the stripped out part was near the bolt’s head not it’s tip and I would have only been able to strip the latter with what I was doing. I was also very conscious of not causing damage so didn’t apply much force. Who knows. I just hope the problems are fixed!!!

    So you don’t hate me?

    Also, did you solve your initial problem with the strange noise?

    June 19, 2014 at 7:40 pm #1004523
    KLizotte
    Participant

    @baiskeli 88795 wrote:

    So you don’t hate me?

    Also, did you solve your initial problem with the strange noise?

    Course I don’t hate you. If I screwed up, I want to know (pun intended).

    Haven’t had a chance to ride the bike yet so don’t know if the mysterious noise is gone yet. Lordy, I hope so.

    June 20, 2014 at 3:48 pm #1004569
    baiskeli
    Participant

    @KLizotte 88797 wrote:

    Course I don’t hate you. If I screwed up, I want to know (pun intended).

    That’s a relief.

    I’ve obviously been married way too long.

    June 20, 2014 at 3:55 pm #1004572
    KLizotte
    Participant

    @baiskeli 88843 wrote:

    That’s a relief.

    I’ve obviously been married way too long.

    Hahaha. I have no pride when it comes to bike maintenance. I once broke a shifter cable from over tightening it among other things. Opps. I’m very handy around the house; bikes, not so much but I am learning thru trial and error. :p

    Thus far, the mysterious creak is gone. Yippee! The big test will be after it has been sitting in the sun for a few hours on a hot day (metal expansion issues).

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