Creaking Stem Handlebar Interface

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ChiZ01
Posts: 477
Joined: Wed Jan 01, 2014 6:20 pm

by ChiZ01

So I recently changed from a FSA carbon handlebar to a PRO alloy one. The new bar just keeps creaking when there is a bump on the road or when I pull the handlebar up hard during a red light stop and go. I can also reproduce the creaking when I stand by the bike and try to pull the bar upward really hard.

I have tried the 5.5nm that my stem suggested, I have also tried 9nm, 8nm, and 4nm, they all creak. I have also used carbon friction paste, doesn't help. All the bolts are greased and torqued evenly in a diagonal fashion following the stem manual.

The stem is 3T ARXII team stealth, the handlebar is PRO PLT compact.

I never had this problem with my old carbon handlebar.
Please help, this is driving me crazy.

fudgefudgefudge
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2016 7:43 pm

by fudgefudgefudge

Are you sure the faceplate isn't touching the stem itself on either side? I try to centre the plate so that the bolts are equally well inserted on both sides and there is a 1mm gap between stem and faceplate.

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mimason
Posts: 654
Joined: Tue Feb 24, 2009 11:43 pm
Location: Florida

by mimason

And you are sure its not the headset that is the cause of the creak?

jimborello
Posts: 283
Joined: Sun May 31, 2009 5:07 am

by jimborello

I had the same problem recently. First I cleaned and put paste on the stem/handlebar interface, it didnt work, then I lubed the housing (Nokon), it didnt work, then I changed the upper and lower bearings of the headset , it didnt work, I changed the stem but it didnt work so after all that I removed the tape of the handlebar to find out the handlebar had some stress fractures so I had to change it (luckily on time) and the problem was solved =)

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