Creaking from the stem / fork interface - how to fix it??

oinkely

Hi Folks,

I have a Trek crossrip that has an annoying creak from the stem/ spacers area. It kind of clicks / creaks as you load pressure on the bars. I changed the bars a while back thinking that might help but made no difference. The other day I loosened off the top cap and the stem bolts and then retightened them and it was nice and quiet for about 20km but is now back to it's old creaking and cracking and it's very annoying. I'm certain it's from the stem / fork interface area as it is makes the noise when pressing down on the stem without touching the bars, but its worse when holding the hoods, i assume because there is more leverage. There's one 3mm spacer above the stem and below the top cap and about 10 or 15 mm of spacers (maybe 3 or 4 rings below it.)

Any tips for keeping the creaking at bay permanently? I was thinking of some copper grease between on all the individual bits and reassembling?

I've resorted to turning up the headphones on my commute, but i would rather hear the cars coming!

Thanks all

TheDocMan

Assuming the fork is carbon, try carbon paste on all stem/ fork interfaces and if stem or handlebar are carbon the same there. Re torque everything and see how it goes. Not sure id use copper grease…could cause parts to slip at recommended torques and only way to prevent that would be to tightened above recommended level. Easy to crack or cause damage there

cletus

As above, if it's carbon, carbon paste, if it's alu, good quality lithium grease.

I wouldn't use copper slip, it's more for anti corrosion applications (usually between ferrous and non ferrous metals)

nicksnikita

Is the headset preloaded correctly?

Check, grease and torque the qr skewers or axles also

oinkely

fork is carbon, stem and spacers are alu. i'll check the steerer tube though, not sure if that is alu or carbon.

If it's carbon i'll get some carbon stuff, if not i'll get some lithium grease.

I went down to the bike at lunch to have a fiddle, and there wasn't a squeak out of it - i assume because it was still a little damp from the cycle in to work this morning. Maybe the rain just provided enough lubrication to stop the creaking.

I'll also check the qr skewers.

Anyway, thanks for the advice, i'll report back on my progress.

Mefistofelino

I had a similar issue a few years ago. Turned out to be a vertical crack about 20mm long at the top of the carbon steerer.

this.lad

I had a problem with a creaking like that too. There was a crach at The interface between the steerer tube and fork.

Thankfully it didn't end in a faceplant.

gmacww

Hold the front brake and rock the bike back and forth. If everything is the correct tightness then it should be solid and not move. Can you feel any slight movement? If so you’ll likely need to loosen the stem bolts, apply more on the compression cap and retighten the stem bolts when there is no back and forth movement but not too tight as to cause resistance when turning the bars. When you get to that point fully tighten the stem bolts. Hopefully that makes sense.
That’s in addition to the grease/carbon paste suggestions above.