dismantling ahead headset

[rivenglo]

I think I've got an ahead headset on my mountian bike and think the bearings
need attenion. I've taken off a cap on top, held on with one central bol and
the handlebars held on by a clamp, and three spacers which were below it.

How do I get the stem out now?? Is there something else to unfasten?? - or
is it just tight?

Are there any online tutorials or web pages dealing with this??

 

[Jim Price]

rivenglo wrote:
> I think I've got an ahead headset on my mountian bike and think the bearings
> need attenion. I've taken off a cap on top, held on with one central bol and
> the handlebars held on by a clamp, and three spacers which were below it.
>
> How do I get the stem out now?? Is there something else to unfasten?? - or
> is it just tight?
>
> Are there any online tutorials or web pages dealing with this??
>

From the Park Tools site:
It may be necessary to use mallet and tap top of steering column driving
fork downward.

More at:
http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=65

JimP

--
Let's think the unthinkable, let's do the undoable, let's prepare to
grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after
all. - DNA

 

[Pete Biggs]

rivenglo wrote:
> I think I've got an ahead headset on my mountian bike and think the
> bearings need attenion. I've taken off a cap on top, held on with one
> central bol and the handlebars held on by a clamp, and three spacers
> which were below it.
>
> How do I get the stem out now?? Is there something else to unfasten??
> - or is it just tight?

Undo bolts on rear side of stem and gently force the stem up off the fork
steerer tube. Give it a twist.

It's not always necessary to remove the handlebars by the way, depending
on cables, job you're doing and position of bike.

> Are there any online tutorials or web pages dealing with this??

http://www.parktool.com/repair

~PB

 

[squeaker]

rivenglo wrote:

> Are there any online tutorials or web pages dealing with this??
http://www.bikemagic.com/news/article.asp?uan=3014
Have fun!

 

[Doki]

"rivenglo" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I think I've got an ahead headset on my mountian bike and think the
>bearings
> need attenion. I've taken off a cap on top, held on with one central bol
> and
> the handlebars held on by a clamp, and three spacers which were below it.
>
> How do I get the stem out now?? Is there something else to unfasten?? - or
> is it just tight?
>
> Are there any online tutorials or web pages dealing with this??

You need to take the stem off the steerer tube. Undo the 2 (normally 2)
bolts clamping the stem to the steerer, and then the fork can drop straight
out. If you need to hammer the steerer out (no idea why you would, but you
know), then you need to get the stem off first, as the end of the steerer
sits slightly below the top of the stem. If you do hit the steerer, remember
that some are alloy...

 

[rivenglo]

"squeaker" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> rivenglo wrote:
>
>> Are there any online tutorials or web pages dealing with this??
> http://www.bikemagic.com/news/article.asp?uan=3014
> Have fun!
>


OK thanks for all the replies. I have't got rund to it yet, but this help -
and a heavy hammer! - should be just whats needed.

 

[rivenglo]

"Doki" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "rivenglo" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>I think I've got an ahead headset on my mountian bike and think the
>>bearings
>> need attenion. I've taken off a cap on top, held on with one central bol
>> and
>> the handlebars held on by a clamp, and three spacers which were below it.
>>
>> How do I get the stem out now?? Is there something else to unfasten?? -
>> or is it just tight?
>>
>> Are there any online tutorials or web pages dealing with this??
>
> You need to take the stem off the steerer tube. Undo the 2 (normally 2)
> bolts clamping the stem to the steerer, and then the fork can drop
> straight out. If you need to hammer the steerer out (no idea why you
> would, but you know), then you need to get the stem off first, as the end
> of the steerer sits slightly below the top of the stem. If you do hit the
> steerer, remember that some are alloy...


OK. All I was lacking was the courage to hit the stem hard enough - then it
dropped out fine. The bearings need replaced really, but not having them I
just cleaned and greased. Hope I can find them at Wiggles or somewhere. The
hardest bit was finding 11 of the balls from the top bearing which dropped
into the grass (I know, I'm not too bright). A magnet was a big help.