headset.
05-05-08 | 04:01 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
headset.
I just purchased a new headset and I've been reading the forums about a headset press. I know the press is used to install the cups. Now for the rest of the headset, is it pretty much dropping the pieces in and tightening everything up? or is there more to it? I've looked and looked, but came up short. I installed the cups and race already, thats as far as any of the installing how tos show you, I tried just dropping the pieces in and tightening it, but its way to tight and if i loosen it, it seems too loose. any help or even a little step by step or how to install would be great. And I know most will say take it to my LBS, but I've been working on this thing for awhile now by myself, I want to do it all myself, what better way to learn about your bike eh? haha
05-05-08 | 04:35 PM
#2
40 something and counting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 422
Likes: 1
From: dallas/ft.worth texas
Bikes: Colnago,Tsunami, Kestrel, Univega
help us out first with a few more details. What type of bike, what type of headset...threaded or threadless, aluminum steerer tube or carbon, once everyone here knows exactly what you've got, we can provide specific help. In the meantime, check out the park tool website, or Sheldon Brown's site...both should provide some help.
05-05-08 | 08:27 PM
#4
40 something and counting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 422
Likes: 1
From: dallas/ft.worth texas
Bikes: Colnago,Tsunami, Kestrel, Univega
05-05-08 | 10:45 PM
#5
B-b-b-b-b-b-bicicle Rider
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 749
Likes: 5
From: Racine WI
Bikes: 1997, stumpjumper S-works hardtail, Medici, Giant Perigee(track dropouts and fixed gear), Columbia twosome, schwinn twinn, '67 raleigh 5 speed internal hub, Old triumph 3 speed, old BSA 3-speed, schwinn Racer 2spd kickback, Broken raysport criteriu
the headset press just installs the cups, correct. You can make your own press from some 1/2? thick threaded rod, and nuts, and the largest washers you can find (larger than your Outside Dia of your cups). total cost about $5-$7. Not nearly as easy to use as the park one, but much cheaper. if a LBS will let you use theirs then do that, using their tools is even cheaper, and the Park tool maintains perfect flatness of the cups while pressing them in better than the home-made job I described. If you build your own, sandwich 2 washers between 2 nuts as your base, and then press 2 washers down with another nut to compress the headset. This will at least keep 1 of the washers completely square and less prone to wobble.
You'll probably be replacing the race on the fork too, as they don't all match. the old one can be removed with a hammer/screwdriver tapping lightly from the bottom, careful not to chip paint off the fork. the new one can be tapped into place with a piece of pvc pipe of the correct diameter, which should dent before the race, since it's softer.
The new cups and race should be fully seated before compressing the headset with bearings..etc. Don't use your headset to compress the cups into place, it can cause divits in the cups and races where the bearings were, and you could even strip threads.
You'll probably be replacing the race on the fork too, as they don't all match. the old one can be removed with a hammer/screwdriver tapping lightly from the bottom, careful not to chip paint off the fork. the new one can be tapped into place with a piece of pvc pipe of the correct diameter, which should dent before the race, since it's softer.
The new cups and race should be fully seated before compressing the headset with bearings..etc. Don't use your headset to compress the cups into place, it can cause divits in the cups and races where the bearings were, and you could even strip threads.
