Headset tools

[.8down]

what is your tool of choice when pressing a headset? and then what is your tool of choice for headset removal?

[skate]

Originally Posted by .8down

what is your tool of choice when pressing a headset? and then what is your tool of choice for headset removal?

I have a homemade headset tool (home depot is your friend here), which works great. and I use a standard headset removal from performance, which also works great.

[project_d]

I go to the shop. BUT, for those off times when I'm riding early the next day and I didn't get a chance to stop at the shop, I use a hammer and a slotted screwdriver for removal, and a hammer and a 2x4 for pressing it in. Crude, yes, I know, but it's done the job at least 4 times. Never had a problem.

[Rob]

This one is pretty much what 99% of shops use.

http://www.parktool.com/products/det...0&item=HHP%2D2
http://www.parktool.com/products/det...50&item=RT%2D1

http://www.nashbar.com/results.cfm?c...ory%3A%20Tools

[.8down]

Originally Posted by Rob

This one is pretty much what 99% of shops use.

http://www.parktool.com/products/det...0&item=HHP%2D2
http://www.parktool.com/products/det...50&item=RT%2D1

http://www.nashbar.com/results.cfm?c...ory%3A%20Tools

Yeah I know, Im just curious as to what people are using, I'm thinking about making my own as well, but Pricepoint has one for 50 that is very much like the Park one...with shops charging 20 plus to do it, I could have gotten a press by now...

[skate]

Originally Posted by .8down

Yeah I know, Im just curious as to what people are using, I'm thinking about making my own as well, but Pricepoint has one for 50 that is very much like the Park one...with shops charging 20 plus to do it, I could have gotten a press by now...

Yeah that works, but you don't need anything like that. all you really need is two forces pressing against both headset cups, whether it's wood, metal or what ever. As long as it doesn't damage the cups then your ok.

Actually the headset removal from pricepoint is the one I bought. That you really can't make with ease like the headset press.


get this tool it works and heck of a lot cheaper than anything on the market.

[GP_pilot]

In all the motorcycle headsets I've done ~6, I've never gotten around to buying the "proper" tools and have gotten by using a long drift punch and some wood or bearing driver. It just takes some patience tapping around the race to get them out and in w/o jacking it crooked. I just removed & installed a Crane Creek S-8 this weekend on my Superlight with no problems.

It's too bad they don't have Autozone bike stores where you can rent tools.

[.8down]

Originally Posted by skate

Yeah that works, but you don't need anything like that. all you really need is two forces pressing against both headset cups, whether it's wood, metal or what ever. As long as it doesn't damage the cups then your ok.

Actually the headset removal from pricepoint is the one I bought. That you really can't make with ease like the headset press.


get this tool it works and heck of a lot cheaper than anything on the market.

what part of that tool is something I cant make??? the "Bushing"?

[skate]

Originally Posted by .8down

Im looking at that tool and wondering if it can handle the crown race on a integrated headset like on my Giant though. I also have a bike with a threadless. with eh different "bushing"sizes the "proper" tool has it looks like it can help me press both bearing cups and the crown race:

well I don't know about the crown race, but it will sure press in the cups on a headset. I know I own one of his presses off ebay. It works wonders. but if you want to go cheaper then you can buy the parts at home depot. I have it because I got it from him a fraction of the cost of his ebay listing only becuase I got one of his first one's.

Now for the crown race I have heard of people using PVC pipe. Its very important not to damage the race. But for the most part I just get it pressing in for virtually nothing or maybe 5 dollars at the most, so I'm not really worry about it.

[.8down]

Originally Posted by skate

well I don't know about the crown race, but it will sure press in the cups on a headset. I know I own one of his presses off ebay. It works wonders. but if you want to go cheaper then you can buy the parts at home depot. I have it because I got it from him a fraction of the cost of his ebay listing only becuase I got one of his first one's.

Now for the crown race I have heard of people using PVC pipe. Its very important not to damage the race. But for the most part I just get it pressing in for virtually nothing or maybe 5 dollars at the most, so I'm not really worry about it.

yea, scratch that crown race comment I was totally off base with my observations. at any rate that machined "bushing" part seems to be the part thats most important in his tool, and its probably the item you can't find at a hardware store, at least not to the proper specs....

[Collette]

Originally Posted by project_d

I go to the shop. BUT, for those off times when I'm riding early the next day and I didn't get a chance to stop at the shop, I use a hammer and a slotted screwdriver for removal, and a hammer and a 2x4 for pressing it in. Crude, yes, I know, but it's done the job at least 4 times. Never had a problem.

You're HAMMERING IN a headset???

[.8down]

Originally Posted by Collette

You're HAMMERING IN a headset???

sounds freaky to me too, but buddy of mine thats been racing bikes and working on bikes forever does teh exacty thing.

[DISCO]

You could use a rubber dead blow hammer but it just doesn't work. For removal I have a Primo 22mm spindle that is the best drift ever, used to use a slotted 14mm axle but the ends got all mushroomed. For the install just set the opposite side of the Head tube on a curb or brick, use a block of wood and a few whacks later you're home.

Just be sure to remove your BB with some Channel locks, Vise Grips, or a Pipe wrench first.

[OffRoadie]

Originally Posted by skate

I have a homemade headset tool (home depot is your friend here), which works great. and I use a standard headset removal from performance, which also works great.

Can you describe this homemade tool?

[.8down]

back to the Crown Race, since we talked about it for a bit did I install this correctly?

[DISCO]

Make sure there is no gap all the way around and it will be fine. Seated is the proper term.

[dhshuttlemonkey]

Originally Posted by .8down

what is your tool of choice when pressing a headset? and then what is your tool of choice for headset removal?

Go to Home Depot and make your own headset press with a bolt, nut, & about 8 washers. I've used this a bunch of times. As for the headset removal, I use the Park tool.

Same principal works for pressing bearings into a frame, just use a smaller bolt & washers.

[Pho'dUp]

Looks okay along as there are no gaps between the bottom of the race and the fork crown. Hope you put some grease under there.

The race I've used PVC to install before. But everything else (Headset cups, Headset removal, starnut installation) I just borrow tools from my bud or go to the LBS. Just too much headache and time making your own press or trying to precision hammering a headset for removal.

[92se-r]

I just installed my 3rd headset last night. All I used was a rubber mallet and a flat surface. My first one I used the home depot and long bolt and washers method. Didn't like it. Rubber mallet is 10 times better.

[Acadian]

Originally Posted by Rob

This one is pretty much what 99% of shops use.

http://www.parktool.com/products/det...0&item=HHP%2D2
http://www.parktool.com/products/det...50&item=RT%2D1

http://www.nashbar.com/results.cfm?c...ory%3A%20Tools

That is exactly what I use...proper tool for the proper job.