Bicycles Asked by Keyin Liu on August 17, 2021
My bike is the Diamondback Expresso 27.5 and the forks are VAXA 100mm forks and after, when I tried to put them back on, the top tube of the suspension forks wobbles around, even when I’ve put all the spacers back in, what do I do?
From the specs on your bike and photos (thanks!) you have a "threadless" headset with semi-cartridge bearings rather than loose ball bearings, and a 1 1/8th inch diameter steerer tube. That makes things simpler, and is an extremely common configuration.
Here is the manufacturer's diagram for the headset:
From your photos, part #6, the "crown race" is already present at the crown ("Y") of your fork.
I believe your 1st photo shows the bottom of the frame's head tube, with part #5 (semi cartridge bearing) still in place. This should slide down over the steerer tube and the bearing on the bottom will seat on the crown race of the fork. This centers the bottom of the steerer tube.
It would help to have a side angle photo of the top of the head tube as well. I assume the other part #5 bearing is still in place on the top opening as well. The next headset part on top of that should be #4, the split-ring "compression ring" (bottom part in your 3rd photo). This serves to center the upper part of the steerer tube once it is compressed with "preload" torque applied to the bolt at the very top of the stack. I'm guessing you were missing this or didn't have the preload right.
On top of that are a dust cover and "top" cover (#3 and #2), which I think together are what you are holding in your hand in your fourth photo. I believe the rubber O-ring fits inside the groove on the inside of the aluminum #2 to minimize water/dirt getting down into the bearing area along the steerer tube shaft.
Above this sit the spacers, the stem, and the top cap (with bolt for preload setting).
The usual sequence of assembly is:
Your photos show no sign of a star fangled nut inside the steerer tube, although it looks like you have a top cap with at least one bolt. Given that, I'm not sure how the preload was originally set, or how the top cap was attached, assuming this is not the first installation for this fork. If it is, you'll have to get a star fangled nut, and push it down into the top of the steerer tube with a drift or similar.
Threadless headset installation/service instructions can be easily found online. One major manufacturer, Park Tool, has instructions here:
Answered by Armand on August 17, 2021
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