[rstrange1]

1) How often do I need to remove the bolt sleeves to regrease the stem? Mine is new and shows side to side play when handlebar is tortionally pressured. It has been ridden maby 80 hours with no jumping or crashes.

2) New handlebar was added and it still creaks even after forward bolts and parts lightly greased. Handle bar is still trembling on uphills. The noise seems to be coming from the front of the stem at the bolts.

3) Is this stem defunct? I have heard of this problem before and that all that was needed was an overhaul. I don't want to be stupid and call raceface especially since once a person loses respect or asks a stupid question at my LBS they get ripped off.

4) If I buy a punch to knock out the sleeves do I need to replace them? I don't want to decommision my bicycle before the fall riding season. Are there better methods than leaving the stem on the bike to use the HAMMER and Punch? Does anyone have any good tips?

I am next to broke, do I just ride it?

 

[slein]

ever try ti-prep?

 

[rstrange1]

Well I knocked out the pins and took it apart by keeping the screws with the threads in 5-6 turns like the manual suggested. (I had to reread it)
I greased it up and just knocked them back in without thinking it. (should put the screws on the other side out 5 or 6 turns beforehand) I don't really care about the minor scratches to the headset or stem after that. (I need new sleeves next time though) The sleeves have come out again on the last two rides as I am continually tightening them. The grease is still slopping out at they get tighter (At least I looked down a time or two. No crashes) I was lucky since I was bridge riding that day.

The noise seems minor when I am really wrenching on it uphill. I think the last tightening got it. There is still alot of tortional twist in the stem. First time I really noticed it while riding. I like it better but I am still nervous about what is happening at the handlebar holder plate. (Slight movement but no handlebar slippage.)

 

[Taz]

Have you got this stem wet?

When aluminum creaks like this, expecially anodized stuff. Grease everything, put grease on the contact points of the sleeve. And don't forget to grease the threads of the bolt.

Also a very good idea to use waterproof grease as well.


Personally I never cared for the way the raceface clamps onto the bars. I swapped my raceface stem for a Thomson, definetely worth it.

 

[Zonic Man]

Those things just creak like hell. Nothing much you can do, I don't think.

Was riding in canada couple of weeks ago (okay, last weekend) and there was abunch of canucks on those. Creak creak creak everywhere. They all said it was the stem.

Even worse with carbon bars, apparently. go figure.

 

[rstrange1]

It is ok now. I have been riding it and the waterproof grease worked just fine. I had been in a downpour on it I just forgot. The new 4 bolt pattern that came out this year is what I want to get when this one breaks though.

 

[Taz]

Originally posted by rstrange1
It is ok now. I have been riding it and the waterproof grease worked just fine. I had been in a downpour on it I just forgot. The new 4 bolt pattern that came out this year is what I want to get when this one breaks though.

Break a stem? you might as well buy it now, you'll never break that stem unless you drop the bike from some high altitude or drag it down the road.