Bearing Cups Alignment Issue?

Echo

Echo

Member
Hey everyone. Long time reader, first time poster.

I'm upgrading a Phoenix pro (non-integrated) deck and I've installed a Phoenix fork, a Proto SCS, and an FSA Pig DH Pro. I think the problem I'm having is alignment of the bearing cups. When I spin the deck around tailwhip-style, about 3/4 of the way around I encounter some friction and the rotation slows.

Sounds like my bearing cups are way out of alignment, right? Well here's the thing...they are seated completely (as far as I can tell from visually inspecting them) and I used a long threaded bolt, washers, and nuts to compress them into the steering tube.

I've already pulled everything apart and recompressed the cups once. I've haven't tried it yet, but someone has already suggested using some grease on the bearings and letting them break in a bit.

Am I really close and I just don't quite have it yet or could something else be causing this? This is the first time I've used a headset other than the stock Razor Pro/Ultra ones and I just want to make sure I'm not doing anything wrong. I'd appreciate any help that anyone can offer.

Thanks!
 
Echo

Echo

Member
I don't have the instructions that list the part names in front of me. Which piece is the race? From top to bottom:

- Cap with bolt
- Outer ring cap
- Compression ring
- Top bearing
- Top Cup

- Bottom cup with bearing
- Bottom silver ring that I couldn't use because the Phoenix fork isn't tall enough to use it and it wouldn't fit over the lip on the fork neck at the bottom.
 
Echo

Echo

Member
Here, this is easier to explain with the diagram.

#7 is the piece I had to leave out because of the Phoenix fork. The cups (#4 and #5) are the pieces that I suspect may be slightly out of alignment. Which piece is the bearing race you guys mentioned?

Thanks!

FSAPigDHPro.gif
 
K

KNOX LOCAL

Member
yea, you have to have the ring that wouldnt fit properly on your fork on. also known as a crown race, just take it to a bike shop and tell em to put it on the fork for you. should cost around 5 bucks. then grease your headset, and everything should be perfect
 
FIVEO

FIVEO

Member
You can't leave #7 out Crown race. Thats what everyting is sitting on and rotating. It has to be pounded on the top of the fork.. Like he said bike shop
 
Rob.

Rob.

Admin
Staff member
You need #7! without that the bearings just spin on the fork!

Install that. i use a hammer but it's all up to you haha. Seriously though.

Also grease is always good for a headset
 
Echo

Echo

Member
Thanks for the tips. That race crown did NOT want to go on to the fork. I banged and banged and banged on that thing trying to get it on there. Finally, I got a hold of Jeremy Cathcart from Phoenix. He suggested, as others have, using a pipe, then put the fork upside down inside the pipe and tap the pipe against the ground. We ran to Home Depot, found a pipe just wider than the fork neck and a little longer, and I tapped it on in the parking lot. Worked perfect. :cool:

Now the headset spins smooth and clean. Thanks again!
 
Echo

Echo

Member
...and I just realized that is exactly the method described in the document provided with my parts from Inward Scooters. Apparently I glossed over that and didn't even realize what I was reading. JP rulez. :)
 
DJ Lee

DJ Lee

Steel Member
yea i love drafting,but ur bars cud be cut improperly. cuz when i got my sz bars they cut them crooked, so it put uneven pressure on my headset causing it to do the same thing. so i flattened it out and it spins beautifully. check how ur bars are cut.

edit: aw i was too late
 
Echo

Echo

Member
Once I had a pipe that fit over the fork steering tube (neck), the crown race went on easy on to my Phoenix fork, but it was a really tight fit. Once I had that in place, everything went together smoothly and worked great. The bars weren't the problem. Thanks for the tip though.
 
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