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!!!

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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 )

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.

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.

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.