snot69

Just got a new chris king threadless headset and I was wondering if I have to grease the bearings or is this already done at the factory (since they are sealed).

well biked

They're ready to go-

wroomwroomoops

I have also got a Chris King noThreadSet, but mine is used, and in desperate need of cleaning and regreasing.

How do I do it? It doesn't appear to be any obvious way to access the bearings.

Rev.Chuck

Remove the fork.
Look at the face of the bearing and you will see a split in the ring. Stick a pick under the pointy end and lever it out. Once you get the end popped loose it comes out pretty easy.
Now you can remove the seal.
Flush out the bearing with carb cleaner and dry it out. Pack some grease in the bearing and reisntall the seal and ring.
Put the fork back on.

wroomwroomoops

Yes! I can see the diagonal split in the ring - both upper and bottom cups! Is this operation safe, it won't cause any permanent deformations?

well biked

Yep, the directions that come with the headset say to carefully pry the ring off in this way in order to service the bearings-

wroomwroomoops

Thanks a lot Rev.Chuck and well_biked!

Nessism

Yes, take the metal ring off and then remove the seal. Do not however use carb cleaner since it's too harsh a chemical, use brake cleaner or mineral spirits (paint thinner). Let dry well before packing with grease and reinstalling seal/metal ring.

Rev.Chuck

Well, if you are worried about harsh chemicals, you don't want to use brake cleaner either as brake and carb cleaner contain the same chemicals in different proportions(toulene, ethylbenzene, tetrachloroethylene, and xylene being the really nasty ones) These zenes are also in Finish Line SpeedClean and White Lightnings spray cleaner, I can't remember the name. They all break down oils and are hard on paint.