Headset servicing

[Shut Up Legs]

I knew this would occur eventually . 2013 has been the year in which I learned various bicycle maintenance tasks for the first time***, including replacement and/or servicing of

• rear hub;
• freehub;
  
• bottom bracket;
• cranks;
• shifter cables; and
  
• brake cables.

I also learned how to do a full front and rear derailleur adjustment . It's been very liberating, which is why I want to continue the good work, and not resort to a bike shop for any maintenance/replacement if I can avoid it.

Now it appears my headset, or at least its bearings, need replacing. The steering is very notchy now, with the handlebars snapping into centre position. As far as I know, my headset is a conventional threadless 1 1/8", which the Park Tools page on headset standards calls an EC34. I'll also have to get some headset-specific tools, because I don't think my Park Tools AK-37 toolbox has all the tools I need for this job.

So my questions are

• Can I just replace the headset bearings, or do I need to do a full headset replacement?
• Are the Park Tools headset servicing pages worth a read? I've had a look at them, and they seem fairly detailed. I also happen to have Zinn's road bike maintenance book, but haven't looked at its headset servicing section, yet.

Your expertise would be appreciated . I did a search for headset servicing in these fora, by the way, before posting this thread, but couldn't quite find what I needed.

*** I've cycled all my life, but haven't bothered to learn all these maintenance tasks until now , which is very lazy of me.

 

[Paul.G.]

I've done this myself and always replaced the entire headset as a whole unit.

 

[rbreid]

Sounds like the bearing races are brinelled so complete replacement is the solution IMHO.

 

[BimblingBee]

Well it depends...

You can probably replace the bearings by themselves. Best thing is to have a look and see how worn it is. Three bolts and 5 mins to have a look...

You can also get away without headset specific tools to replace the whole headset. A block of wood and a hammer will do unless its a carbon bike!

 

[AndyPeace]

Now it appears my headset, or at least its bearings, need replacing. The steering is very notchy now, with the handlebars snapping into centre position. As far as I know, my headset is a conventional threadless 1 1/8",

It sounds like your headset is shot and will need replacing. I got my lbs to do mine as it would have cost me way more than £10 to buy all the tools I needed.. and they'd be tools I can't see me needing for a decade. It is a simple enough task though if you have the tools or are willing to improvise ...basicly hammer out the old headset and press in the new one.

 

[accountantpete]

The headset needs replacing by the sound of it as the races must be worn.

I improvise a knocker out-er and a press in-er as you only need to do this job once every 5 years or so.

The Cane Creek headset finder will guide you through the new headset selection process

http://www.canecreek.com/headset-fit-finder

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Thanks all for the helpful responses . As always, CC comes up with the goods. I'm planning to sort out the headset during my upcoming annual leave.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

[QUOTE 2765472, member: 45"]I was going to offer to post you my tools for a lend, but then I checked your location...[/quote]

 

[I like Skol]

Sounds like you need to spend less time cleaning your bike and more time servicing it. IME a headset is not a disposable and a loose/open race type, if serviced in time, will last many years without even replacing the bearings. Of course, keep washing and polishing a bike but without the required servicing and although it might look great, it will ride like a bag'o'sh1te!

 

[Cyclist33]

Providing you don't have disc brakes, it's REALLY easy to replace the bearings, I spent my adult life thinking it would be difficult but last week searched on youtube and found a video on how to do it. Piece of cake. Just need to get the right bearings. As Skol says, even taking them apart is quite straightforward and I speak as a complete no-hoper in these matters.

 

[Wooliferkins]

If your headset has sealed cartridge bearings then you can just replace those if you have caged bearings then it will probably be a headset change. Cartridge bearing come in a number of different spec's so make sure you replace like with like

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Sounds like you need to spend less time cleaning your bike and more time servicing it. IME a headset is not a disposable and a loose/open race type, if serviced in time, will last many years without even replacing the bearings. Of course, keep washing and polishing a bike but without the required servicing and although it might look great, it will ride like a bag'o'sh1te!

"More time servicing it"? Refer to my first post above, where I mentioned my ongoing efforts to learn servicing and replacement of various parts. The headset is just the latest one for me to try.

 

[Wooliferkins]

[QUOTE 2766580, member: 45"]Neil!

I thought I recognised that photo from another website. I've emailed you a few times in the past for advice when buying stuff.

You've got a good web store.[/quote]

Thanks fellah, we try