Headset replacement - tools needed?
 

Ok, my 14 month old Novara Randonee (7,000 miles +) is getting the same old "brinellling" in the headset. You know, the "indexed" steering effect. It has happened to every bike I have owned in the last 25 years. I know about rotating the stem an odd number of times, replacing the race bearings with a different number of loose balls, I have done all that before. And I have had a LBS replace the headset a few times.

I figure it is time to do the job myself. I figure I need:
1) a tool to knock the "cups" out of the head tube - I see Park has a modified "split pipe" type of tool for that.
2) a tool to seat the new "cups" in the head tube - I see Park's tool, and see others using a large bolt with nuts and washers for this.
3) a tool to remove the "cone" from the fork stem
4) a tool to seat the new "cone" on the fork stem

My Novara has a modern Cane Creek headset with a funky Novara stem. I also have a '90s Specialized Stumpjumper with a traditional stem/headset that needs replacing.

I know that paying the LBS to do the job is probably cheaper, as often as this needs done, but I want to do this myself. I already have an extensive tool kit, and have done almost all other work on my bikes myself. Anyone have a list of tools and/or hints for doing this?

Thanks in advance,
dennyd

While cups can be knocked out with a long punch and a hammer, a "Rocket Tool" makes the job far easier and with less chance of damaging the frame. Park makes a good one but Nashbar has one that does the same thing a lot cheaper. http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...2_10000_200498

Seating the cups can be done with a length of 1/2" all-thread rod, a couple of nuts and some big washers.

Removing the crown race can be done with a punch and hammer working carefully around the edges IF the edge is accessable. If the race is small enough that it's entirely within the fork crown, a special splitter is needed or you can try to use a knife blade as a wedge to get it started.

Seating the crown race can be done with a length of pipe of a suitable ID. Some FSA headsets have "split" crown races that install with finger pressure alone.

BTW, get replacement headsets with cartridge bearings and your brinneling problems will disappear.

HillRider has a lot more experience than I do, but I would hesitate to use DIY tools for this. A headset press is an investment worth making if you plan to do your own work. I use King headsets, and bought a set of 1" and 1 1/8" headset setting 'guides'. They insure that the headset is aligned properly while being installed. Makes it a snap.

Nashbar also has a crown race remover that makes removing a crown race relatively painless. Again, worth the investment if you do your own work. These are only MY opinions, and you know what they say about opinions: "they are like armpits-everybody has a couple, and everyone else thinks they stink"!

Your list is pretty complete, except for a 'guide' set in the size you need. Also included in the 'guide' set is a chamfered piece for setting the crown race. It makes installing easy and helps avoid the possibility of 'dinging' the crown race.

If you like the idea of puting on one headset and forgetting it, try King. I have yet to get any 'notchiness' in any of the 8 bikes I have them on.