Bicycle Mechanics - Headset cup.

I'm having a really hard time trying to get these out. Any ideas?

Slide hammer or a punch.

What tool are you using?

What tool are you using?

Everything in my household. It consists of crow bar and mallet with flat head screwdriver. I sprayed stuff to loosen it, but it doesn't help.

3/4" copper pipe. split the pipe with one cut about 4-6inches. Spread the pipe end with the cut so that it is greater than the head tube diameter. slip it in the head set. a few hard taps with a hammer will pop it out. or buy the tool for more money.

3/4" copper pipe. split the pipe with one cut about 4-6inches. Spread the pipe end with the cut so that it is greater than the head tube diameter. slip it in the head set. a few hard taps with a hammer will pop it out. or buy the tool for more money.

Good idea, I think I'll have to head to the hardware store tomorrow.

Here is a DIY instruction by Dave Moulton:
http://davesbikeblog.blogspot.com/2007/06/headset-removal-and-replacement.html

For an unknown reason, this small tube at Home Depot costs $7 while a much longer one costs $16.
http://bp3.blogger.com/_SZx2oaxuJSA/RmjuVnmfi6I/AAAAAAAAAfA/e7JKzCqJrF8/s400/Headset1.jpg

3/4" copper pipe. split the pipe with one cut about 4-6inches. Spread the pipe end with the cut so that it is greater than the head tube diameter. slip it in the head set. a few hard taps with a hammer will pop it out. or buy the tool for more money.

I was going to buy the park tool until I saw it was just a piece of pipe with a slit, and expanded over a conical anvil.

so I also made one (I used steel "gas" pipe)
cost: 69 cents

A long screwdriver will work.

The bonus of copper over steel is that, if you want to reuse the headset, using a steel pipe or punch can mar the cup.

If you don't do this operation often, it may be cheaper/easier to just have a shop pop them out (and press in the new cups, by the way). I usually just use a mallet and a pipe, as posted above.

#&%()(*(^&^%^%!#$^&&**)!!!!!!

The copper pipe thing didn't work. Not even a budge. About 8 years never touched. I'll probably have to take it too the shop. :mad: Probably get the fork race out as well.

Depending on what the shop charges, the Park RT-1 (http://www.comcycle-usa.com/ProductInfo.aspx?id=3335594) may be a better deal if you ever have to remove a headset again.

Depending on what the shop charges, the Park RT-1 (http://www.comcycle-usa.com/ProductInfo.aspx?id=3335594) may be a better deal if you ever have to remove a headset again.

I think I need a pro to do it since it hasn't been touched/taken out in about 8 years. After this I think the tool I made should be fine.

I think I need a pro to do it since it hasn't been touched/taken out in about 8 years. After this I think the tool I made should be fine.

Seriously fuzz...all a pro will do is smack that tool with a hammer...really, really hard.

The only reason I suggest it is I know you're into bikes, probably will be for the rest of your life, and will find a use for it again. Think of it as an empowerment thing: You'll hold the key to headset removal forever more, either for yourself or for a friend in need. Also, unlike a homemade tool (I could've told you that copper is too soft) if you ever wail on it a bit too hard and break it, Park will replace it.

For what it's worth, I've never been charged for removing a headset cup. I've made the copper tube tool, but with the cost of copper shooting up, it's almost the same price as buying one from nashbar. The nice thing about taking the bike to a shop is that they have the right tools to get it out without damaging the frame. The headset will definitely need to be replaced.

The copper pipe thing didn't work. Not even a budge. About 8 years never touched. I'll probably have to take it too the shop. :mad: Probably get the fork race out as well.
Hammer it a couple times hard, not gently. If it starts to move, then you can continue gently.
Check that all 4 ends of the tool fully cover the headset cup. Bend them more if not.

Yeah, I had at mine with a heavy screwdriver, making as sure as I could that I wasn't marring the insides of the head tube. That said, I was hitting it really hard with a heavy wooden mallet.

The pipe thing is too cool to not try next time. It looks to me like a job for conduit.