Brompton headset issue
Brompton headset issue
I'm servicing the headset on the Brompton, and the wee plastic seal at the bottom is broken. It's not available as a separate spare part, and I'm reluctant to thole a whole new headset to get one.
IIRC, other headsets I've worked on don't have a seal at the bottom, so would I be ok to just reassemble it without the seal? (I realise that the lower bearing may deteriorate faster, but it's not going to do a high mileage.)
IIRC, other headsets I've worked on don't have a seal at the bottom, so would I be ok to just reassemble it without the seal? (I realise that the lower bearing may deteriorate faster, but it's not going to do a high mileage.)
- simonineaston
- Posts: 8003
- Joined: 9 May 2007, 1:06pm
- Location: ...at a cricket ground
Re: Brompton headset issue
I've no experience of servicing this part myself, but i) all the kits I can find have the seal included and ii) Brompton design seems to include as a rule all that you need & nothing you don't, so my conclusion is that the seal is an important part of the assembly.
S
(on the look out for Armageddon, on board a Brompton nano & ever-changing Moultons)
(on the look out for Armageddon, on board a Brompton nano & ever-changing Moultons)
Re: Brompton headset issue
If the bike has mudguards, and isn't stored upside down in the rain, it will be OK
Bike fitting D.I.Y. .....http://wheel-easy.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/bike-set-up-2017a.pdf
Tracks in the Dales etc...http://www.flickr.com/photos/52358536@N06/collections/
Tracks in the Dales etc...http://www.flickr.com/photos/52358536@N06/collections/
- simonineaston
- Posts: 8003
- Joined: 9 May 2007, 1:06pm
- Location: ...at a cricket ground
Re: Brompton headset issue
and a big splodge of grease If it were me, I'd just stick the seal back in, broken or not.
S
(on the look out for Armageddon, on board a Brompton nano & ever-changing Moultons)
(on the look out for Armageddon, on board a Brompton nano & ever-changing Moultons)
Re: Brompton headset issue
I tried that, but it came out (being broken), causing several millimetres of play in the headset.simonineaston wrote: ↑30 Jan 2023, 11:11am If it were me, I'd just stick the seal back in, broken or not.
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- Posts: 2887
- Joined: 9 Jun 2008, 8:06pm
Re: Brompton headset issue
The seal should not affect headset play at all.
- simonineaston
- Posts: 8003
- Joined: 9 May 2007, 1:06pm
- Location: ...at a cricket ground
Re: Brompton headset issue
as above... sounds like some further scrutiny is needed.
S
(on the look out for Armageddon, on board a Brompton nano & ever-changing Moultons)
(on the look out for Armageddon, on board a Brompton nano & ever-changing Moultons)
Re: Brompton headset issue
Ah, right – I reassembled it as I found it, with the seal below the fixed bearing on the fork. A look on Youtube shows me it should have been above the bearing – must have been reassembled wrong in the past.
- simonineaston
- Posts: 8003
- Joined: 9 May 2007, 1:06pm
- Location: ...at a cricket ground
Re: Brompton headset issue
That fits with this exert from a Brompton trade guide:
However I have no idea if the guide is on the subject of the headset fitted to the bike in question. https://trade.brompton.com/Uploads/QPar ... eadset.pdfRemove the seal and tap the fixed bearing off the fork crown. Fit the new fixed bearing (ensure that the bearing is fully pressed home onto the top of the crown): fit the seal. Drive out the old bearing cups on the front frame, and press in the new bearing cups, fully home, and square. Fill both cups with grease.
S
(on the look out for Armageddon, on board a Brompton nano & ever-changing Moultons)
(on the look out for Armageddon, on board a Brompton nano & ever-changing Moultons)
Re: Brompton headset issue
I'm struggling to grasp what this seal is achieving. I'd imagined it was to stop weather getting into the bearing from below. But it sits on the steerer above the lower bearing? Closing the gap between the steerer and the head tube? Why would anything come down there? The upper bearing and the top of the steerer are already well sealed. Am I being stupid? Missing something?
- simonineaston
- Posts: 8003
- Joined: 9 May 2007, 1:06pm
- Location: ...at a cricket ground
Re: Brompton headset issue
Best advice I can offer is to suggest you ask Brompton - or the very excellent folk at Brilliant Bikes might be amenable to that sort of enquiry.
S
(on the look out for Armageddon, on board a Brompton nano & ever-changing Moultons)
(on the look out for Armageddon, on board a Brompton nano & ever-changing Moultons)