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I'm attempting to install a Superstar Slackerizer headset, I've lined everything up and I have a basic (threaded rod) headset press, the issue is as soon as I start to tighten the press the cup goes out of line with the frame and press in unevenly. I stop knock them out and try again for fear of damaging the frame.
It's a nice frame and I don't want to take great risks. I've fitted a few other frames successfully but this doesn't want to go straight initially. Should I keep pressing and it will line up, any other tips or should I give up and find a decent bike shop?
Cheers
Cups in the freezer, warm the frame, grease and use a rubber mallet.
Tried the freezer and grease and tapping with a mallet to straighten it up but it just doesn't seem to what to go straight. I'll have another crack though thanks.
As per the thread I posted in the other day, forget the press due to the angle faces, at least for the initial bit as it will go in skew every time.
Took me a lot of attempts, but in freezer left overnight and be quick tapping it in as it warms up fast especially when whacking it. Preferred a heavy hammer rather than mallet, but used a block of wood and whack, check, whack, check, etc, adjusting where to whack to correct as I went. Needed a lot of force but once it was going in straight I finished it off with the press.
Make double/triple sure you've got the alignment right and the cups haven't rotated 😉
Others say to heat the head tube also.
Thanks, I'm glad it's not just me then! I had them in the freezer but they quickly warmed up. I'll chuck them back in over night and have a go again in the morning following your advice Kenny.
As above, cups in the freezer, frame left in the sun, plastic mallet.
In the garage with wooden blocks and mallet worked for me.
Freezer is waste of time.
Kettle of boiling water over the frame is much better if you want to use thermal effect.
Thanks all, I may give it one more go., I'ma lso tempted to shell out for a proper headset press like the Unior one with the stepped guides.
Do these work with these wonky, angle adjust headsets thought, they seem to rely on both cups being perpendicular to the headtube. I'm very tempted if they made the job easy but I'm a bit worried it would be a waste of cash.
As above, cups in the freezer, frame left in the sun,
'sake...and all my venison was defrosted after I struggled to get the frame in the freezer.
no problems installing mine, tapped into place then pressed in using a propper headset press, no rotation.
My improvised press uses some plastic discs that fit on the inside of the cups; I usually apply some tension using the press, then give it a couple of mallet taps to line it up; the accumulated tension will pull the cup in once the mallet tap lines it up with the headtube.
just to double check.... you are fitting the cups one at a time and not both at once?
It's a quick job at the LBS, and a "proper" press will not let misalignment happen.
I'd be whacking it tho 🙂
I’d be whacking it tho
As a reward for getting the headset in?