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How to fit headset cups in 8 easy steps

Your steering relies on your headset cups being properly fitted, here's how to do it...

It’s important that your headset cups — the steering bearing parts that fit in the frame — are tight and secure. Here’s how to press them properly into place.

If your steering doesn’t turn smoothly, your bike won’t handle right. For the two bearings that make up the headset to work right they have to be properly aligned. In some frames this is taken care of by bearing holders built into the head tube, but in many frames the whole headset is a separate component that fits in the head tube.

The headset cups fit tightly into the head tube, so tightly in fact that the outside of the cup is very slightly larger than the inside of the head tube. This is known as an interference fit, and is what makes sure the bearings don’t move in the head tube.

That means you need a lot of force to get the cups into place. That can be done by hammering the cups into place (protecting them with wooden blocks) but a far better way is to use a purpose-made headset press.

Our guide below shows you what we believe is the best method to fit a headset cups. We've included a list of the tools and materials that you will need to complete the job and in some cases where you can buy them. If there are others that you prefer then feel free to let everybody know in the comments.

Tools & Materials

How to fit headset cups 01

How to press headset cups into a frame

Pressing headset cups into a frame is one of the jobs that many bike owners fret about. It's really quite simple to do, but it really does require the right tool for the job and that is a headset press, a simple screwing mechanism which ensures the cups remain properly aligned as you press them into the frame. 

How to fit headset cups 02

1 Grease the head tube Use a little grease to ensure a smooth, easy fit that won't damage the head tube, or the alloy headset cups. We're using a copper based anti-seize compound by Finish Line. It's ideal for ensuring there is less chance for corrosion, or cold welding with metal on metal parts. 

 

How to fit headset cups 03

2 Spread the grease around Prep the upper and lower ends of the head tube. Use a finger to wipe the compound round the edge. You're looking for about three quarters of an inch of the inside edge covered. 

 

How to fit headset cups 05

3 Fit the bottom race We will begin with the  lower cup of the headset. Release the bottom plate from the press.  Lower the press shaft  through the head tube.  Place the bearing  on the bottom plate and slide both back on the shaft. The press tool will have a spring loaded lock which work with detents on the press shaft to take up excess shaft length. You can see the spring lock between my third and forth fingers. Once the  headset cup is squarely presented to the head tube and the lower press plate is locked to the shaft you're ready to begin. 

 

How to fit headset cups 04

4 Turn the press handle to push in the cup The trick is to go slowly and keep an eye on the lower cup to ensure it's being pressed in evenly. It should be, because the weight and squarely applied force mean that force from the side is minimised. Keep turning the handle. It'll be quite stiff; this is quite normal and actually a good sign. If the cup isn't a tight fit it can come loose, leading to premature wear and damage to the head tube. 

 

How to fit headset cups 06

5 Keep going until you feel the handle reach its stop and the lower cup is fully home. Don't just assume it's in place though. Inspect the point at which the lower cup and head tube meet. There should be no gaps anywhere around the circumference of the union between both elements. If there it, then give the cup a final tweak to close it up. 

 

How to fit headset cups 07

6 Fit the second cup To get the top cup in, we've turned the frame upside down in the workstand to make the job easier. As with the lower cup, remove the lower press plate first. Lower the press shaft through the cup  (on top and out of this shot now that you've turned the frame upside down), taking care to use a stepped bearing drift to locate the shaft and handle assembly squarely in the lower cup.  Place the upper cup on the base plate (as shown here) and when everything is squarely presented you can begin to turn the winding handle and press the cup in. 

 

How to fit headset cups 08

7 Going in square Here we've stopped halfway and removed the tool to show how the cup should be going into the head tube: squarely and evenly. With this style of headset the lower cup has an external bearing, and the top cup (pictured here) fits inside the head tube, wth only the lip of the cup sitting on the edge of the head tube. 

 

How to fit headset cups 09

8 Fully home Once the top cup is fully pressed home, remove the press. Inspect the union between the top cup and the edge of the head tube. As before there should be none. You now just need to slide the crown race on the fork and drop the top cup bearing shield into position before fitting the fork. 

>> Read more: The full archive of road.cc maintenance articles

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21 comments

Avatar
CXR94Di2 | 4 years ago
0 likes

I bought a long bolt, nut and some large thick washers, couple of quid.

Ive fitted 5 Bottom brackets, one headset cups and numerous bearings pressed into place. I agree you need some special tools, but pressing BBs and headsets isnt one of them

Edit, I wish they would stop re hashing old posts. I commented 6 months ago earlier in the thread.

Avatar
hawkinspeter replied to CXR94Di2 | 4 years ago
0 likes

CXR94Di2 wrote:

I bought a long bolt, nut and some large thick washers, couple of quid. Ive fitted 5 Bottom brackets, one headset cups and numerous bearings pressed into place. I agree you need some special tools, but pressing BBs and headsets isnt one of them

I bought one of those sets from FleaBay and somehow managed to gouge a bottom bracket by adding more force when the bearing was a bit wonky. I fully accept that it was me being heavy-handed and forcing it when it shouldn't have been forced - that's why I ended up springing for the proper tool to avoid causing more damage to the frame.

Avatar
hawkinspeter | 4 years ago
1 like

I bought myself one of those Park Bearing Press tools to install bottom bracket bearings (it's multi-purpose). Possibly my favourite tool - a heavy chunk of smoothly spinning metal and you can't help but be impressed by its weight.

However, as I've only used it a few times, I think I may have a problem with buying bike tools.

Avatar
ktache replied to hawkinspeter | 4 years ago
1 like

I had to resist buying yet another quality bottom bracket spanner to fit my new shimano threaded unit.

It would seem that shimano are changing the spline dimensions at quite a regular rate, got a cheap little adaptor instead.  Might come to regret it, but if the expensive tool only lasts one BB, it just didn't seem worth it.  It is against everything I have come to stand for though.

Avatar
ktache | 4 years ago
0 likes

I do understand the need for the use of workshop gloves, I wear them myself, but is there any reason to protect the identity of the mechanic?

Could it be that they are the same person as this individual?

Avatar
CXR94Di2 | 4 years ago
0 likes

Several large washers, 2 nuts and 12" threaded bar, this will install headset cups, bottom brackets and bearings

Avatar
Rick_Rude | 4 years ago
0 likes

Stop - Hammer Time!

Avatar
dickie | 7 years ago
0 likes

Will you be doing a review of the Turner CX bike you fitted the headset to?

Avatar
kevvjj | 7 years ago
1 like

I've replaced about thirty headsets over the years. A decent pound hammer and a block of hardwood every time, no fuss. I've done this on titanium frames, carbon frames, steel frames and alloy frames - same result every time - a perfectly fitted headset.

Avatar
srchar | 7 years ago
1 like

You can fashion a press for headsets, bottom brackets, anything really, out of a length of allthread, two nuts and some nice, fat washers.  Starting cost less than a fiver, then less than a quid every time you need to add some other washers to press in something with a different diameter.

Avatar
Ad Hynkel replied to srchar | 7 years ago
1 like
srchar wrote:

You can fashion a press for headsets, bottom brackets, anything really, out of a length of allthread, two nuts and some nice, fat washers.  Starting cost less than a fiver, then less than a quid every time you need to add some other washers to press in something with a different diameter.

Did this to replace the bearings for my old FSA Omega MegaExo, a weird size that Shimano don't do, so did a bottom bracket rebuild, rather than shelling out 30 quid for a replacement FSA part. Needless to say, I went a bit too cheap on the bearings, not liberal enough with the grease and one seized after 6 months. Mind you, that wasn't far off the originals!

Avatar
Redvee | 7 years ago
0 likes

The LBS did the last headset I had with press in cups and relieved me of £5 but he did line up the cups and had the logos facing forward on both cups which I only remembered about on the way back to collect the frame.

Avatar
Langsam | 7 years ago
1 like

Hmm. I attempt most jobs at home, and have fashioned my own headset press as detailed above (for steel-framed 1" cheaper external headsets), but there is *no way* I would attempt to fit a Chris King headset at home!

 

Plus there is just such a massive amount of weird things that can go askew. I've just had to take in a frameset to the LBS because I couldn't diagnose the headset problem, which was that the fork crown was too shallow. I should have just taken it in to the bloody shop in the first place, it would have saved a load of headscratching.

Avatar
Chuck | 7 years ago
6 likes

I do the vast majority of my own spannering myself, but to be honest I can't really see the point of doing this particular job yourself. My very vague formula is:

very infrequent job + very expensive tool + high potential for frame-ruining mistake =  just take it to a shop. 

 

For me anyway. If you go through bikes like hot dinners and/or take particular pride in doing absolutely everything yourself then fair play though.

Avatar
Dnnnnnn | 7 years ago
0 likes

The wood'n'hammer thing can work but when it didn't on the second cup for me the LBS did the other cup for a fiver. Better than buying a tool.

Avatar
bechdan | 7 years ago
0 likes

or a rubber mallet?
works for me!

Avatar
HoldTheWheel replied to bechdan | 7 years ago
0 likes

bechdan wrote:

or a rubber mallet? works for me!

 

Yep, much cheaper than buying a tool which will hardly ever be used. I also saved money by using a socket and extension to remove the old cup.

Avatar
bikebot replied to bechdan | 7 years ago
0 likes

bechdan wrote:

or a rubber mallet? works for me!

You managed to get a headset in with a rubber mallet?

Impressive.

Avatar
japes | 7 years ago
1 like

unless you're planning on fitting a lot of headsets (ie you are a bike shop) there's no way you should be buying a press rather than getting a shop to fit it.

Of course, if you're desperate to try it yourself you could always use two small plates, a bit of threaded rod and some nuts.

 

Avatar
Batchy replied to japes | 7 years ago
1 like

unless you're planning on fitting a lot of headsets (ie you are a bike shop) there's no way you should be buying a press rather than getting a shop to fit it.

Of course, if you're desperate to try it yourself you could always use two small plates, a bit of threaded rod and some nuts.

 

[/quote

That's just what I have done this afternoon  to replace a press fit bb. Same principal and you can use same tool for headsets provided the threaded bolt is long enough. I bought a metre of M10 threaded rod two packs of 4 heavy duty square plates/washers, one each 10 pack of M10 lock nuts and standard nuts for less than £15 from B&Q. This is enough to make 4 presses and still have nuts and bolts to spare.

I am going to fashion a bb bearing puller/ extractor next once I've found the bits and pieces and I'm sure it will not cost more than a fiver per unit.

The price that some of these simple tools cost to buy is extortionate especially ones for home use.

Avatar
Batchy replied to Batchy | 7 years ago
0 likes

Batchy]</p>

<p>[quote=japes wrote:

unless you're planning on fitting a lot of headsets (ie you are a bike shop) there's no way you should be buying a press rather than getting a shop to fit it.

Of course, if you're desperate to try it yourself you could always use two small plates, a bit of threaded rod and some nuts.

 

[/quote

That's just what I have done this afternoon  to replace a press fit bb. Same principal and you can use same tool for headsets provided the threaded bolt is long enough. I bought a metre of M10 threaded rod two packs of 4 heavy duty square plates/washers, one each 10 pack of M10 lock nuts and standard nuts for less than £15 from B&Q. This is enough to make 4 presses and still have nuts and bolts to spare.

I am going to fashion a bb bearing puller/ extractor next once I've found the bits and pieces and I'm sure it will not cost more than a fiver per unit.

The price that some of these simple tools cost to buy is extortionate especially ones for home use.

Further to this  - the new bb that has just replaced the "old one" of 330 miles usage - that was expertly fit by my LBS with very a expensive press  - now runs silently and spins like a dream.

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