Anyone have any tips or experience installing Works Components headsets? I have a decent headset press, but yeah, it's from ali express, but I don't think it's the problem. My issue is that when installing the top cup (-2 headset), the top isn't flat (ie. parallel) to the top of the headtube, so the install process shifts it off and pulls one side (the rearward side) into the headtube first. Its like I need a wedge between the top cup and my press to keep it at the same angle as the top of the headtube and press it evenly into the frame.
Installing Works Components Headset - cups askew
Dingleberrry
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Anyone have any tips or experience installing Works Components headsets? I have a decent headset press, but yeah, it's from ali express, but I don't think it's the problem. My issue is that when installing the top cup (-2 headset), the top isn't flat (ie. parallel) to the top of the headtube, so the install process shifts it off and pulls one side (the rearward side) into the headtube first. Its like I need a wedge between the top cup and my press to keep it at the same angle as the top of the headtube and press it evenly into the frame.
Place the headset in the freezer for an hour with a rag in there with them.
Leave the bike under the Sun if possible. Make certain there is grease in the bike headtube.
Use the rag to get the headset out as your hand will heat them up quickly. Get them barely started using the press then use a rubber mallet to even them out. Finish off using your press.
Leave the bike under the Sun if possible. Make certain there is grease in the bike headtube.
Use the rag to get the headset out as your hand will heat them up quickly. Get them barely started using the press then use a rubber mallet to even them out. Finish off using your press.
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This is essentially what I did. I put the headset in the freezer and used my mtb gloves to take it out and quickly seat it in the frame. When I did my second one, I ditched my headset press and just went with a rubber mallet and tapped it in methodically. The headset press definitely wants to rotate it as it goes in. You could try putting some grease between the headset cups and your press. That's one thing I noted may work, but haven't done another one to try it yet.
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I recently had to swap around headsets on two bikes and then got a Works reach adjust headset. The Works headset was the toughest to install. Basically I used a mallet. Off-center headsets will obviously be tougher to get in.
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Any particular reason why the Works is hard to install? Friend of mine gave me a Works -1 angleset for an Evil, and I'm thinking about installing it. I've installed a Wolf Tooth angleset on another frame using a Park headset press with no issues.
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I put in a -2° Works angleset with a cheap Amazon press without any problem. But it's been a couple years, so don't remember if I had to adjust how I used it at all.
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When this has happened to me I offset the press to the high side of the headset to get that side seated first. Then when the cup is parallel to the top surface of the frame I'll reposition the press to center it and continue. I also position the side of the press that you turn to tighten opposite of the headset you're pressing in so that no rotation is imparted to the headset as you tighten.
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I had this happen with a Works headset. I used a framing square and aligned it with the headbadge screws and made some pencil marks. Then I used my Kung Foo grip to keep the cup in line as I pressed them in. I lubed the inside of the headtube ends with Phil's grease.
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You should be able to stop and loosen the press then readjust it so it pulls the front end of the cup into the frame evenly. Make sure you keep an eye on the centre of the cup and ensure it's going in so the cup is straight relative to the frame. Unlike "normal" headset cups angle adjust cups have to aligned well with the centre of the frame to work trouble free.
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Tie a string around the seat tube and use it to get really close to center of the headtube by aligning with the top tube and put a sharpie mark in the center of the headtube.
Put cups in freezer then tap in with a deadblow hammer worked a treat on multiple installs.
Put cups in freezer then tap in with a deadblow hammer worked a treat on multiple installs.
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It's possible Works makes their headset cups with a tighter fit in mind. Not sure. It can also be the frame too.
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Thanks all for the responses. I’m this case I’m not worried about spinning the cups - I mean that I’m driving the front of the cup in more quickly than the back. I used a mallet, but a wedge would have been nice I think to even things out.
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