Power Kite Forum

Help Please - replacing buggy headset bearings

Windstruck - 11-6-2016 at 04:55 PM

I purchased new bearings for the headset of my PL BigFoot buggy. I got the old ones out but am having trouble getting the new ones back in. I've got the right ones, but I'm unclear how to get them seated in the headset. The fit is extremely snug and I don't want to destroy the bearings or buggy frame getting them in.

Can somebody please give me a few tips? I'm handy, it's just that I've not done this before and I don't want to trash things.

Thanks in advance!!!

bigkid - 11-6-2016 at 05:20 PM

Put the bearings in the freezer over night and it should allow them to push in or use lite tapping to insert them.

Cheeks - 11-6-2016 at 05:27 PM

I've done the freezer thing as well but I coated them with STP. Cold and slick at the same time.:P

Windstruck - 11-6-2016 at 06:36 PM

Most excellent! They are in the freezer now. Thanks guys.

Cerebite - 11-6-2016 at 07:49 PM

Or take it down to your local bike shop and have them use their Park Tools bearing press

Windstruck - 11-6-2016 at 09:01 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Cerebite  
Or take it down to your local bike shop and have them use their Park Tools bearing press


Thanks John. I've got the bearings on ice now. If they don't go in as described tomorrow I'll take the front end to a shop and get them pressed in as you said.

Blitzhound - 11-6-2016 at 11:14 PM

You can also try heating up the head as well as freezing the bearings. This is what's called an interference fit. We do it all the time...but in the other direction to replace pump and/or motor bearings. You also need to make sure there is no rust in the barrel. That can cause interference. If there isn't any rust but the bearings still won't fit. Then the new ones are a different size then to ones you took out. They were NOT assembled as an interference fit. Or you would not have gotten them out so easily. If thermal treatment doesn't work. I would not press them. If you press them in...you'll most likely have to press them out. Or worse you could damage your head.

Windstruck - 12-6-2016 at 08:23 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Blitzhound  
You can also try heating up the head as well as freezing the bearings. This is what's called an interference fit. We do it all the time...but in the other direction to replace pump and/or motor bearings. You also need to make sure there is no rust in the barrel. That can cause interference. If there isn't any rust but the bearings still won't fit. Then the new ones are a different size then to ones you took out. They were NOT assembled as an interference fit. Or you would not have gotten them out so easily. If thermal treatment doesn't work. I would not press them. If you press them in...you'll most likely have to press them out. Or worse you could damage your head.


Thank you for all this feedback. I know you are skilled in this area. I got the old ones out by coming through the opposite side with a blunt rod and pounding them out lightly with a hammer, working around in a circle.The originals were in there pretty snug. The bearings were matched by part number and visually appear identical to the ones I got out. There does not appear to be any rust in the head.

Freezing didn't do the trick. I'm going to take the downtube to a good bike shop and see if they can press them in. Otherwise, I know of a couple of good machine shops in town and can try there.

ssayre - 12-6-2016 at 08:32 AM

Bummer. What was wrong with the old ones? Were they getting noisy or were they locking up? Just curious what prompted replacement.

soliver - 12-6-2016 at 09:58 AM

I always set them in as far as I can with light tapping then place a block of wood over the bearings then pound them home... The wood takes the abuse from the hammer and transfers the force... Always works for me (at least that's the carpenter's logic :smilegrin: )

Windstruck - 12-6-2016 at 12:42 PM

Ended up taking the down tube to a good local bike shop and the mechanic on duty pressed them in with the proper threaded tool and fittings.

Spencer, had I been able to get them started the wood idea would have worked. Problem was I couldn't start them.

Feyd - 12-6-2016 at 12:57 PM

In the future, in a pinch you can make a headset press with threaded rod, carriage bolt washers and some nuts. Its what I do if I'm away and need to swap a headset. as I'm not bring one of my presses with my on trips.

Usable but not as nice as a purpose built press with adaptors.

Windstruck - 12-6-2016 at 03:14 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Feyd  
In the future, in a pinch you can make a headset press with threaded rod, carriage bolt washers and some nuts. Its what I do if I'm away and need to swap a headset. as I'm not bring one of my presses with my on trips.

Usable but not as nice as a purpose built press with adaptors.


Absolutely! The shop press used today was one of those nice threaded ones with all the different size pieces to get the size just right. I could see all numbers of jury rigs working in the field. Haven't ever had to M.A.S.H. unit a bearing pressing before but it surely could be done.