Heckler Headset (Bottom cup)

[VWsurfbum]

Chaps / Chappettes,
I'm getting the odd cracking noise under hard knocks (occasional) this could be fork related but looking at the bearing cup or lack of bearing cup in the frame (where the bearing sits) it's not exactly smooth or tight fitting for my liking. Does anyone else seem to think this is a bit odd not having a smooth face-to-face surface in the frame? I'm well used to having integrated headsets.
I'm thinking the occasional noise could be the lower bearing moving a tiny amount where it's not tightly seated? (No movement from rocking the bike etc)

 

[Dave_B]

New Bike

 

[RustyIron]

Chaps / Chappettes,
I'm getting the odd cracking noise under hard knocks (occasional) this could be fork related but looking at the bearing cup or lack of bearing cup in the frame (where the bearing sits) it's not exactly smooth or tight fitting for my liking.

You're right. It's a totally dumbass way to build things. However, it's light and cheap, and maybe that's what Santa Cruz was shooting for. Mine didn't start making noise until I had a few miles on the bike. Maybe it was best when new, or maybe I was just going too easy and not slamming the bike hard enough. Once it started making noise, I would take the headset apart, clean it up, and slop it with grease. It makes it better for a little while.

When the bike had 2000 miles on it, I got a Chris King headset. It's much improved, but not perfect. It still uses the sloppy pocket and preload force to hold it all together. Normally I use an NLGI 0 grease for everything on my bike, but just a couple days ago I took it apart and slopped it up with an NLGI 2 grease, like you'd use on your truck suspension. I've only put 25 miles on it since then, but it was a rough 25 miles. I don't expect it to stay quiet forever, but so far, so good.

 

[VWsurfbum]

Glad i'm not imagining it then. When i swap the forks out this weekend i'll use the thicker grease then on the bearing cups.

 

[DJ57UMP]

I didn't follow you when you said about this at the weekend.

When I was talking about mine I was more surprised and the shit in there - not play.

I found the surfaces to be smooth and that the bearing did sit nice and neatly in the cup. And I didn't bang shit loads of grease in there.

 

[VWsurfbum]

Funily enough it was silent on Sunday, so maybe the extra grease, the fork swap the way the wind was blowing helped?

 

[Harry94025]

I was having the same headset noise issues as VWsurfbum. A couple days ago I disassembled the headset and discovered the bottom Cane Creek bearing had been installed upside down! Put it right and now the noise has gone, but the prior factory assembly issue caused the bearing to be damaged so it will be replaced.
I’ve corresponded with the Santa Cruz people for the battery latch recall and will let them know what happened.

 

[VWsurfbum]

WOW! That's shocking.
My noise has gone, not sure if it was the bearing or the fork?