Installing crown race and headset cups - getting them level

[alicat]

I am having my first go at installing a Shimano 600 1" threaded headset after having a steel frame powder coated. Two questions for you fettling experts please:

1. I have got the crown race on using a spare extension tube from a vacuum cleaner. On one side I can see a 0.5mm gap and on the other there is no gap at all. I didn't think to clean it before I started so it has been a bit of a brute to fit. Do I carry on hitting the side that is proud or is this level of gap likely to be a result of slightly uneven coating/a variance that doesn't matter?

2. I am in the course of fitting the lower headset cup, which is getting close to the frame. I am using a length of threaded rod, an indented washer (a part from IKEA that lets you use one of the larger European lampshades with a narrower light fitting) and some washers and nuts. However the cup too is not quite level. The variation is 0.75mm so that one side is 0.5mm away from the frame and the other is about 1.25 mm away. Do I (a) carry on and let it right itself when it gets flush with the frame, (b) tap the rod and if so in which direction (I am feeling a bit spatially challenged or (c) install the other cup and hope the first cup rights itself in the process.

Here are a couple of photos.

I am veering towards leaving problem 1 and pressing on with the second cup but would appreciate any thoughts/words of comfort before I swallow my pride and head off for the LBS.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[Garethgas]

I've never done this job myself but I would have thought that the finish on the frame would need to be 'dressed' first to
make it perfectly square and true.
If this has been done, then I see no reason not to bang it home (so to speak).
There are special tools for pressing and aligning them but they are prohibitively expensive for a one off.
Hopefully, someone with real experience of the job can confirm or correct me.

 

[Deleted member 23692]

I changed mine in a similar way, by using threaded bar and washers, and lo and behold ended up in a similar state to you.

I just gave them a gentle/firm knock with a wooden hammer handle to persuade them home

 

[andrew_s]

It's probably that there's paint on the race seats

I'd be inclined to let the road finish the job, provided that the headset can be correctly adjusted so that there's no play and no binding.
Either it will stay adjusted, or road shock and potholes will finish the job of knocking the races into the frame, and you'll have to re-adjust the headset.

 

[alicat]

Thanks all.

After a pause for lunch the second cup went on with much less drama and tidied up the first cup at the same time. I will let the road finish the job, as Andrew_s so eloquently suggests.

Next job is to fit the fork and adjust. Never done that job either. Wish me luck.

 

[compo]

I did exactly the same job yesterday, fitted a new headset. I haven't got the threaded rod item so used a sash clamp and a lump of wood instead. Pulled the cups in a treat. I have a lump of steel pipe that makes a nice drift for the crown race.

There used to be a guy on Ebay who sold the threaded rod DIY made tool for little more than what it would cost to go to B&Q or somewhere similar to buy the individual bits. I don't sem to be able to find him any more so it seems he had packed it in. The sash clamp did the job but wasn't very easy as it was so long so I will get the threaded rod and make a headset press next time I want to do the job.

 

[alicat]

Shame you are in Harlow. I had to buy two rods in a pack so I have one spare.

 

[andrew_s]

If you do use the threaded rod method, try to get washers that are small enough that they fit inside the frame cups and press on the inside edge only. A Cyclus press is about £40, so that's not very many headsets damaged by pressing on the outer edge of the cups.

 

[GlasgowGaryH]

I see a guy on you tube using a quick release skewer as threaded rod