Other Question for the bearing experts

[RebornRider]

I pulled my headset apart to address a creaking issue and discovered that the lower bearing has a LOT of surface rust where it interfaces with the frame (carbon frame). Both bearings operate smoothly, but I ordered a replacement headset because of the surface rust. So, ...

Would you install the replacement set right away because of the surface rust, or save it for the day when the current bearings get a little bit crunchy?

 

[Miru]

I’d just gently sand off the layer of rust with something like 1000 grit sandpaper then clean and regrease well and throw it back in there until it start feeling rough(should last if the water didn’t get past the seals)

 

[Konanige]

If I had the new one in my hand I would just chuck it in, whats the point of dicking about cleaning up the old one.

 

[Mikerb]

why a new headset...you just need at worst a new bottom bearing. The reason for the rust is that there is no seal between headtube and fork crown....and presumably the bearing and surface of the race were not adequately greased when assembled. water can get in the gap between the fork crown and the headtube, more especially if you wash the bike with a hose rather than during general riding.
When I service my headset, once it is fully assembled I push grease into the small gap between the fork crown and the headtube with my finger...then wipe off the excess. That is also something I do periodically between headset services.

 

[RebornRider]

Why a new headset? Because I'm not familiar with bike parts, there seems to be no standardization in headsets, and the headset part number for my bike is published by Specialized. I bought based on how much confidence I had in my choice.

Maybe someone who is familiar with bike servicing in general, and Turbo Levos in particular, could post a comprehensive list of service parts. There is such a list for the Noble (my British sports car) that has been very helpful given that some of the service parts for Nobles are not easily available in the US.

I have a couple of lists that folks here have suggested, e.g. the frame parts list that calls out the headset part number, but I don't have a comprehensive list.

I bought a tube of waterproof (supposedly) marine grease for that unsealed gap.

 

[Mikerb]

Any lithium based grease will do.
For any bearings the bearing number is always stamped on it and they are readily available from most bearing suppliers.
The spec of those bearings is in your Levo manual. Assuming the same as mine ( 2019 Levo Comp) page 6 section 5.3

Lower bearing is 1.5 inches (52mmx40x7 45/45 degrees)

MH-P16 1-1/2" Headset Bearing 40x52x7 45/45 - WychBearings.co.uk

 

[RebornRider]

Looks like MH-P16 is the bit of data that makes finding the lower headset bearing easier. Punching MH-P16 into Google resulted in a lot of choices. The results I got from searching by dimensions, e.g. 52mmx40x7 45/45 degrees, did not inspire any confidence.

 

[Mikerb]

Looks like MH-P16 is the bit of data that makes finding the lower headset bearing easier. Punching MH-P16 into Google resulted in a lot of choices. The results I got from searching by dimensions, e.g. 52mmx40x7 45/45 degrees, did not inspire any confidence.

..............and you will find that reference stamped on any bearing you intend to change.

 

[RebornRider]

..............and you will find that reference stamped on any bearing you intend to change.

..............and I can't read it through the rust. Nor some of the dimensional spec.

 

[Miru]

..............and I can't read it through the rust. Nor some of the dimensional spec.

Just take a caliper and measure the damn thing( Od, Id, h, )

 

[KennyB]

Just take a caliper and measure the damn thing( Od, Id, h, )

And angles?

 

[Miru]

And angles?

I believe the majority are 45x45

 

[KennyB]

I believe the majority are 45x45

So do I, but not all. I have a bike with 45/30. Assumption is the mother of all foul ups, as we used to say.
Oops, 36/45, FSA Orbit on a Whyte.

 

[Miru]

So do I, but not all. I have a bike with 45/30. Assumption is the mother of all foul ups, as we used to say.
Oops, 36/45, FSA Orbit on a Whyte.

My point was( and as Mikerb was also trying to point out) that you can 100% use all the data available at your disposal (bike spec sheets, the actual bearing that you can measure, the markings on the bearing) to precisely find out what you need.

 

[RebornRider]

My point was( and as Mikerb was also trying to point out) that you can 100% use all the data available at your disposal (bike spec sheets, the actual bearing that you can measure, the markings on the bearing) to precisely find out what you need.

Or, if you're not familiar with ordering bearings, you can ask the forum.

 

[KennyB]

My point was( and as Mikerb was also trying to point out) that you can 100% use all the data available at your disposal (bike spec sheets, the actual bearing that you can measure, the markings on the bearing) to precisely find out what you need.

Which is exactly my point.