Impact of not changing damaged headset bearings
I have a Canyon Ultimate CF SL [2014], which has the Acros Ai70 headset. These now need replacing, as turning the handlebars you can feel that it is rough and grinding.
Replacement bearings are £55, plus they are press-fit, which I don't have the tools for.
So my question is whether just leaving the bearings as they are would damage the forks or frame?
It is my winter / commuting bike so I can live with how the steering feels, but if it will wreck the bike then I would have to change them.
Thanks
Replacement bearings are £55, plus they are press-fit, which I don't have the tools for.
So my question is whether just leaving the bearings as they are would damage the forks or frame?
It is my winter / commuting bike so I can live with how the steering feels, but if it will wreck the bike then I would have to change them.
Thanks
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Comments
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If the bearings aren't too far gone, you could remove the bearings, carefully pop the seals off, clean (degreaser), then re-grease (marine quality grease if poss). This'll give the bearings a new lease of life and stop them seizing completely.
They'll still feel rough as the bearing races will be pitted but will be functionally fine. I've done this many times with no ill effects. In fact after many miles they wear in and get smoother again.1 -
Since it's your winter hack - I'd persevere with it for now until the weather warrants it being consigned to the shed/garage/whatever. Then you will have a nice little project to keep you happy when it's p***ing down and you don't want to ride your best bike.
Get yourself a headset bearing removal tool such as this:-
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Quality-Headset-removal-extractor-Headtube/dp/B011IOU8WQ/ref=asc_df_B011IOU8WQ/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310669108494&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13735171215835099635&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006891&hvtargid=pla-421631566681&psc=1&th=1&psc=1
Cheap as chips and you can always flog it once you've used it.
Thereafter you can make your own press. Lots of videos on YouTube but this one gives you the general gist.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGfvO-ztoT4
Or you can buy one from Fleabay for under a few quid
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/114390507457?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&itemid=114390507457&targetid=1140163971529&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=1006891&poi=&campaignid=12126090633&mkgroupid=117623829555&rlsatarget=aud-629407026905:pla-1140163971529&abcId=9300481&merchantid=6995734&gclid=Cj0KCQiA962BBhCzARIsAIpWEL3mZzEBizF6wyH9D42GW5lyIHpW_RshXwqYjOTGjrRV4MD0KSXfI78aAhMLEALw_wcB
And there you have it. New bearing fitting project for the summer months
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Thanks for the tips0
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Looking at the bike and the headset, it doesn't look like a press-fit with cups which are pressed in, it looks like the bearings sit directly in the frame. This is important for 2 reasons - Firstly, if the bearing does seize then it's potentially going to be rubbing directly on the frame and possibly the fork crown and destroying one or both, and secondly they're actually pretty easy to replace as you can take the bearings out and fit new ones by hand. I'd be fitting new bearings. There are slightly cheaper options if you look, like these: https://www.kineticbikebearings.com/canyon-acros-ai70-headset-bearing-set-by-kinetic.html1
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headset bearings are not pressed, they just sit in the frame grooves. They might be seized in place due to rusting and swelling, making you think that you need to press themleft the forum March 20231
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Thanks a lot, went on that site but missed the cheaper option. With your and Ugo’s advice I’ll get them changedwhyamihere said:Looking at the bike and the headset, it doesn't look like a press-fit with cups which are pressed in, it looks like the bearings sit directly in the frame. This is important for 2 reasons - Firstly, if the bearing does seize then it's potentially going to be rubbing directly on the frame and possibly the fork crown and destroying one or both, and secondly they're actually pretty easy to replace as you can take the bearings out and fit new ones by hand. I'd be fitting new bearings. There are slightly cheaper options if you look, like these: https://www.kineticbikebearings.com/canyon-acros-ai70-headset-bearing-set-by-kinetic.html
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Managed to change the bearings today, they were press fit but picked up a cheap tool online which worked fine.
Removing the old bearings was the difficulty, bottom bearing had pretty much fused to the forks. So took a lot of effort to remove, including leveraging a screwdriver against a carbon lip which was dodgy. Fortunately managed without damaging anything. Lesson for me is to remove the forks to clean and re-grease every so often.1 -
The impact???? Failure. Can't believe that anyone actually asked this question.0
