Headset bearing

[Jody]

Just in the process of a full strip/rebuild of a BMX for my lad and the headset bearing is confusing me. I was expecting either sealed bearings or loose. I don't want to knock the cups out if I don't have to but having had a poke around the bearings seem to be part of the cups with nothing obvious to remove them.

Has anyone come across these before?

 

[Ajax Bay]

Cram some grease in there and leave them be.

 

[Jody]

Cram some grease in there and leave them be.

There lies the problem. The current grease can be likened to Gorilla glue, in both the wheels and headset. It's really sticky stuff so needs cleaning out.

 

[cyberknight]

spray grease maybe? light enough to go in and will last a bit and better than nowt .You could always blast the old stuff out with wd 40/ gt 85 .

 

[Peter Salt]

Use degreaser, then blast everything out with a pressure washer, re-grease.

 

[Jody]

spray grease maybe? light enough to go in and will last a bit and better than nowt .You could always blast the old stuff out with wd 40/ gt 85 .

Had thought about this but wouldn't it mean the new grease would be watered down by the GT85 reminants? Might be worth a shot.

I was hoping someone was going to point out something obvious to get them out but it's looking like I will have to knock the cups out.

 

[cyberknight]

I have in the pasty just put spray grease in without blasting the old out and it worked , obviously not as good as a proper job but kept it going

 

[Jody]

Use degreaser, then blast everything out with a pressure washer, re-grease.

I've done enough damage with de-greaser this week. Accidentally washed the freewheel dry when cleaning it. Sounded like a gritty mess after.

Lesson learned.

New freewheel going on later.

 

[Jody]

I have in the pasty just put spray grease in without blasting the old out and it worked , obviously not as good as a proper job but kept it going

I think the only spray I have currently is copper grease.

All the other stuff is tubed.

 

[raleighnut]

Grease is a mixture of Oil and Soap so just put some oil in there, I'd use 3in1

 

[figbat]

Grease is a mixture of Oil and Soap so just put some oil in there, I'd use 3in1

But the whole point of the thickener in a grease is to keep the oil in place. 3-in-1 (or similar) will just drain away.

As above I’d clean out with a light spray oil like WD-40 or similar, let that dry (encourage with a hair drier if needed), then regrease.

 

[iluvmybike]

There is usually a recessed wire c ring you can prise out with a small screwdriver then you can clean everything out and re-grease and refit

 

[Jody]

There is usually a recessed wire c ring you can prise out with a small screwdriver then you can clean everything out and re-grease and refit

Thanks.

I'll have a look at this tomorrow night when I have a minute.

Fingers crossed

 

[Ming the Merciless]

You sure you can’t prize that bearing out? It’s looks like a neglected sealed bearing that’s dried out and casing split. Otherwise try lbs. I had a seized headset bearing last winter after riding through a slightly too deep flood. Bike shop managed to get it out and sell me a replacement for the princely sum of £10.

 

[Jody]

You sure you can’t prize that bearing out?

That's what I was hoping but didn't want to go in too heavy.

I'll find out tomorrow