Allez Elite Headset play

[Roger645]

Noticed a bit of play in the headset on my 2009 Allez Elite. Tried to tighten it up but not much difference. How much do you reckon the LBS will charge to sort it?

[shalmaneser]

£40-50 for a HS, 25 or so to fit I'd have thought.

Have you undone the stem bolts, for it to have play when done up tight it would be an unusual (and quite severe) failure. Normally they just become hard to turn and a bit graunchy.

[Roger645]

Just tried it with the stem bolts undone, took the bars off and removed the spacers and the sleeve above the bearing and the bearing appears to be floating around in the stem tube, the sleeve above the bearing is marked as cane creek so not sure if it has been changed before. I think I will take it to the LBS who are a Specialized dealer as I'll probably feck it up if I try to do anything more to it!

[shalmaneser]

Do a search on how to adjust an 'aheadset' it's very simple operation if you know how but you've got it wrong. Check on Youtube.

[Roger645]

Thanks I'll have a look.

[TwistingMyMelon]

I seem to eat through headsets, once every six months on each of my road bikes, I think the poor surfaces kill them here, one of mine looks like it is going again!

I double check everything is tightened correctly a few times (trick to do at times) and if still play straight to bike shop

I normally pay about £35 to replace the bearings and service it, they do a great job so cant complain as I'm too heavy handed and dont have the time to p1ss about with bearing sizes etc

[mouseymousey]

I had play in my headset recently and couldn't get rid of it through adjustment. I took it to the local shop and all it needed was another spacer which they gave me FOC.

Yours may not be that simple but might be worth a try?

[Roger645]

Update: Took shalmaneser's advice and watched a couple of the you tube vids, have adjusted it and it's now fine, So thanks for that it was really useful!