Removing headset cups from 1990 Xizang

[mtbdave]

Ok everyone

I have just gotten hold of a 1990 Xizang and I think removing the headset cups could be a problem.
Now last thing I want too do is use a hammer on it!

So any suggestions would be great

The cups are aluminium.

I will take photos soon (promise)

 

[hamster]

Headset cup removal tool?
Alternatively use a copper water pipe with a couple of slots in cut down it to give a splayed end.

 

[poweredbypies]

Headset cup removal tool?
Alternatively use a copper water pipe with a couple of slots in cut down it to give a splayed end.

An old scrap ally seat post works better, thicker walled pipe grabs onto the cups much better. 4/5 slots cut in and splayed open. Wish I had made one years ago.

 

[syncrosfan]

Spray some lube on them , let it penetrate, now really important: do NOT try to use any hand tools to get them out (you will only slip and destroy the teeth). Use an Impact driver or find someone that has one, put your Park Tool BB removing tool in press it into the BB cup and work away. The noise will be infernal!, but because you're constantly pressing against the cup there's no way to slip (unlike trying to use hand-force to open and press at the same time, you let the impact driver do the work for you, you just press the tool into the cup). I've done that to many bottom brackets, gets even the most stubborn ones out.

 

[hamster]

Spray some lube on them , let it penetrate, now really important: do NOT try to use any hand tools to get them out (you will only slip and destroy the teeth). Use an Impact driver or find someone that has one, put your Park Tool BB removing tool in press it into the BB cup and work away. The noise will be infernal!, but because you're constantly pressing against the cup there's no way to slip (unlike trying to use hand-force to open and press at the same time, you let the impact driver do the work for you, you just press the tool into the cup). I've done that to many bottom brackets, gets even the most stubborn ones out.

...headset? :?

 

[syncrosfan]

My bad I thought Bottom Bracket. In case of Headset it's going to have to be good 'ol banging around!

 

[mtbdave]

I hope it had some sort of copper slip on it when it was fitted, could be needing a machinist otherwise.

 

[Rampage]

I hope it had some sort of copper slip on it when it was fitted, could be needing a machinist otherwise.

Headset cups should have been anodised, a bit might come off during fitting but I doubt it's welded itself in.

 

[mattr]

I've taken 20+ year old steel cups out of 20+ year old steel frames, bare metal on bare metal. No protection at all.


Three or four good smacks with a hammer and the right tool, job done.

 

[jimo746]

Re:

You can buy headset cup removal tools, but as already mentioned, some suitable pipe with slits cut down it and splayed out slightly will work just as well, it means that any force is spread over a larger area of the headset cup and will avoid damaging anything.

Personally I often use a lump hammer and a big flat head screwdriver, fine if you don't mind damaging the headset cups.

Oh, and you need to adopt "The Face" when tackling these sort of tasks...