My Headset Saga - Advice

[Andrew_P]

Well I have learnt loads so far, which a good thing.

My bike has done around 10k miles on one set of Headset bearing and had never be clean or greased so you can imagine the mess they were in.

I had to order from Specilaized as they were unique on the lower one at 1 3/8"

Now I am faced with another problem do you think I should just stick in the new sealed bearings or remove and replace the cups? The bottom one is very smooth but a noticable wear front and back through the expected turning movement of the bearing. Top one looks ok to me (might add pics this evening)

If I decide to remove the cups, I will need special tools to remove and fit and even need to buy a special size from Specialized to press in the lower cups, or do I use a rubber mallet and screw driver, Carbon Frame and Forks + Novice DIYer = potential disaster? Special Tools = Mega £££

Or shall I admit defeat and get an LBS to do this for me?

 

[compo]

If you buy the special tools the job will be easy, or at least easier. You will have to cost the tools against the times you are likely to use them again. I have never worked on carbon kit but a screwdriver and mallet strikes me as a bit risky. Personally, unless someone here can show you a foolproof way of doing the job, I would get the LBS to do it. It isn't a big job so shouldn't break the bank in labour charges.

 

[HovR]

Some pictures of the (clean) bearing races would help. If the races are clearly worn or pitted it sounds like a new headset job at the LBS, otherwise just put in the new bearings.

 

[accountantpete]

You have a semi-integrated headset then.

You will need a complete new headset from Specialized as the bottom cup is as scarce as the bearing you were trying to get.

I'd get the LBS to do the job as the diameter of new headset bits can be fractionally out causing a great deal of teeth gnashing.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Not a novice DIY job on a steel or aluminium frame let alone on a carbon one.

 

[Andrew_P]

Thanks for the advice!

The bottom race and fork

 

[accountantpete]

My thoughts are:

1) It is an integrated headset and the metalwork is bonded to the carbon.

Does it look something like this - with the internal ledge at an angle?

2) I'm not sure that the bearing locates against the worn bit - is there any reason for that wear?

 

[Andrew_P]

My thoughts are:

1) It is an integrated headset and the metalwork is bonded to the carbon.

Does it look something like this - with the internal ledge at an angle?



2) I'm not sure that the bearing locates against the worn bit - is there any reason for that wear?

It kind of looks like that, I emailed a Specialized workshop this morning asking if it was bonded not had a reply yet. I gut instinct tells me it is but I am no expert. Although trawling forums it appears some have knocked it out and put in an IS 6, not sure if it was on a Roubaix like mine.

That wear is totaly my fault I think it had seized and the outer shell was working as the bearing The same marking is opposite it to, it is not pitted in fact it is glass smooth

In my defence I had asked two mobile if it needed looking at and both said sealed unit will be fine..

 

[Andrew_P]

Just re read you post, the bearing part is 45 degree angle is that what you mean?

 

[accountantpete]

Just re read you post, the bearing part is 45 degree angle is that what you mean?

The bearing should have a 45% angle - and that should mate with a 45% angle on the metal rim inside the headtube as can be seen on the left hand side of the bearing in the pic..

 

[Andrew_P]

The bearing should have a 45% angle - and that should mate with a 45% angle on the metal rim inside the headtube as can be seen on the left hand side of the bearing in the pic..

hmmm my new bearings arived and don't just push over the fork crown, do they normally need brute force? about a cm or so short of sitting on the angle part.

 

[fossyant]

They should just slot on with light force. Maybe clean up the race surface a little.

 

[Andrew_P]

They should just slot on with light force. Maybe clean up the race surface a little.

thanks will give that a try but I do not hold out much hope to be honest. I have tried getting it all lined up slight tension on the top bolt and gently dropping on the front wheel and it will not budge. Will cean up my old one and compare. Order from Specilaized so "should be right"

 

[Andrew_P]

If look at the picture that my old bearing inner seized on to the fork... I think

 

[accountantpete]

That is your problem - that ring of metal with the wear marks is the old inner. It need tapping away with a screwdriver and hammer lightly working around it.