Creaking sound around headtube

[zaykay]

My Rail 7 started creaking. Sound comes somewhere around headtube, I have already greased all usual suspects like pedals, linkage, spring and dropper/seat tube junction. Same with the battery, all contact points are greased. I suspect Lyrik or something inside the frame close to headtube. Anyone else had similar issues?

 

[brizi2003]

I've had some noises from my Trek Powerfly headset area too. I think the knock block headset creaks a bit due to dirt ingress. Suggest you strip down the headset, clean, grease and rebuild. Not sure why you appear to have greased everywhere apart from where you think the noise is coming from?

 

[Davidwylie]

Had the same issue with my Rail 7 .. I dropped the fork out and both headset bearings and cups had no grease on them at all and water had started the rust the bearing, cleaned them up, regreased and all torqued up and now silent.

 

[lcarron]

Had the same problem on the powerful. Went to the dealer and they had a little bit of grease on the rings below the stem.

It fixed it and never came back.

 

[zaykay]

I've had some noises from my Trek Powerfly headset area too. I think the knock block headset creaks a bit due to dirt ingress. Suggest you strip down the headset, clean, grease and rebuild. Not sure why you appear to have greased everywhere apart from where you think the noise is coming from?

I’ve never had creaks coming from headset bearings before. Based on my experience it’s very difficult to locate the origin of creak on aluminium frames. Sound typically resonates on frame and can come from anywhere on main triangle. I just proceeded by going through the usual places.

 

[zaykay]

It was headset bearings. There was corrosion between frame and bearings. It’s terribly bad sealed design

 

[brizi2003]

I’ve never had creaks coming from headset bearings before. Based on my experience it’s very difficult to locate the origin of creak on aluminium frames. Sound typically resonates on frame and can come from anywhere on main triangle. I just proceeded by going through the usual places.

Yeah - that it true - often difficult to track down where the sound is originating. I normally start with the easiest thing to disassemble/reassemble, until either the noise goes away or, eventually, everything has been disassemble/cleaned/lubricated and reassembled!

 

[Beekeeper]

I think I’ve got a twin creak going on here that’s adding to the confusion. One from headset and another from motor mounting bolts but that’s only an educated guess.
Determined to get to the bottom of it even if I have to take the whole bike apart piece by piece. Starting with the easiest stuff first.
It really is so difficult to identify where it’s coming from. I think the hot dry weather must play a part in this also. Never noticed any creaks when it was cold and wet.

 

[hellmansam]

My Fuel EX 9.8 developed a nasty creak 6 months from new that sounded for all the world like it was coming from the stem/bars or headset. It was either the main pivot bolt being slightly loose and/or the bearings had a bit of rust and felt gritty on one side so replaced those and torqued bolt up correctly. No more noise.