How difficult is it to refit the headset?

Pekka
Pekka Posts: 119
edited November 2007 in Workshop
I removed the threaded headset (Dura ace) from the frame to have the frame painted. I managed to get get everything off with a hammer and wide screwdriver. I now need to refit the headset. Someone said that the cups will go back in the frame if I use a flat piece of wood and a hammer. Anyone had experience of this procedure?

Comments

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    Yes you can do it this way.
    Tap evenly all round as opposed to hammering.
    Bear in mind there will be traces of paint in the head tube and on the faces These will need cleaning out and ideally refacing . If you're not feeling too confident about doing this I would use the opportunity to get a new headset and get get your LBS to install it using a dedicated race press.
  • Down the Road
    Down the Road Posts: 949
    CUPS MUST BE PARALLEL

    Do not force and they should be fitted by a trained and qualified professional using the correct tools. Otherwise lifespan WILL be compromised and safety put at risk
    Racing is life - everything else is just waiting
  • Smokin Joe
    Smokin Joe Posts: 2,706
    Many's the headset I've fitted with a piece of wood and a hammer. As long as you are careful it is no problem.

    I've not come across many shops who employ a trained and qualified professional. Most mechanics are teenagers earning minimum wage and picking it up as they go along.
  • Down the Road
    Down the Road Posts: 949
    Well you might need to look around. Quality Stores ONLY hire CYTECH qualified mechanics and it isup to us as the BUYING PUBLIC to insist on using them.

    You pay peanuts you get monkeys. It is up to us.
    Racing is life - everything else is just waiting
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    Could you name just ONE of these quality STORES?
    I've looked on the ACT website for Cytech approved dealers.
    The LINK doesn't work. :shock:
    Well colour me surprised. :o
  • Smokin Joe
    Smokin Joe Posts: 2,706
    If you are proficient with the spanners and have a bit of basic engineering sympathy there is nothing on a bike that can't be fitted by a home mechanic. It ain't exactly a jet fighter, is it?
  • veryslowtwitch
    veryslowtwitch Posts: 321
    I fittd mine using a piece of threaded rod and with big nuts and washers at each end (from B&Q) and two big spanners pressing the cups in veeeerrrry slowly. Total cost: three quid. Better than bashing it in with a hammer but you have to check the cups are going in parallel and knock them out and restart if in doubt.

    regards

    alan
  • redvee
    redvee Posts: 11,922
    Guilty of the blocks of wood and hammer refit, on smaller headtube bikes I've used a bench vice and wood. Wanted to go the threaded rod and nuts but didn't know where to source them from, do now!.
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    veryslowtwitch wrote:
    I fittd mine using a piece of threaded rod and with big nuts and washers at each end (from B&Q) and two big spanners pressing the cups in veeeerrrry slowly. Total cost: three quid. Better than bashing it in with a hammer but you have to check the cups are going in parallel and knock them out and restart if in doubt.

    regards

    alan

    I agree. I use the same setup. Hammers and blocks of wood are really not the way to go
    with todays somewhat expensive headsets or even cheap ones.

    Dennis Noward

Categories