peripatetic

I disassembled the headset to repack the bearings on an Elite GT, and now I can't figure out how to get the rubber o-ring back between the crown race and the cup. Anyone know how this is done? I have a no-name headset that I was just thinking of replacing. Should I do that instead?

I ask here because I have a feeling many in Mechanics section would find the question trivial.

Thanks.

unworthy1

And we wouldn't? OK, just kidding, there ARE no stupid questions, just stupid Presiden...oops, that almost slipped out! In my experience with HS that have a loose o-ring seal there will be a "right side up" orientation that will fit "correctly" on the edge of the crown race, (and won't fit well if upside down) so determine that first. Then place the seal on the race, apply grease (that helps to hold it in place), add the lower packed bearing retainer on top of the race, then slide the HT, with its grease packed lower cup, over the steerer and down to the crown race. If the seal is "correct" it will fit neatly in the gap between the race and the cup. If you've got it upside down or have swapped top seal with bottom seal, you may see that it looks wonky...try again. HTH!

peripatetic

Unworthy1, thanks a lot for the info. Just wondering--this ring is not a ring, but a strip of rubber. Does that mean it's broken? Where could I find a good replacement? Should I just swap in my other headset?

Thanks again.

unworthy1

Sounds like it's broken. I've never seen any shop selling just the seals (tho you'd think that would be a part that wears out faster than the metal bits) for a HS such as this, I feel lucky when I can find just a replacement crown race and salvage an otherwise good HS that way. (biketoolsetc.com has some) I'd replace the whole thing if it's time, or you can leave out the seal(s) and rely on the grease to fill the gap and seal out the elements and dirt...like in the olden tymes.

unworthy1

OK one MORE thought, then I shut up: since I don't know exactly what this HS looks like, you MAY have one like I used to see tha has a groove in the races (sometimes top and bottom) and takes a conventional Buna-n type hardware store o-ring. If that's your case just take what you can to the plumbing section and get the closest fit they offer, if you can't get an exact match a slightly smaller OD is better, a little too big might cause binding.

peripatetic

Thanks, Unworthy. I posted in Mechanics about this, and someone referred to a Tange Levin. This does have a groove in both the crown race and the lower HS cup (they match), and from what I see, the o-ring is broken: if I just put it into the groove, it doesn't go all the way around, but if I stretch it, I can see how it smashes tightly against the groove. I'm going to see if I can't just go into a plumbing store and find something that'll fit the bill. Something tells me I can--I figure that as long as it's the right thickness (thinness), smaller than the HS diameter, and stretchy, I should be able to fit that rubber band around the groove. We'll see how it works out. I'll post here if I do manage to find a good replacement.