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How-To/Mechanics: How to remove the Race at the bottom of the fork

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  1.  
    • CommentAuthorEDGE
    • CommentTimeOct 16th 2009
     
    what is the easiest way to remove a threadded race from the bottom of the fork?
  2.  
    The race itself isn't threaded, it is just pressed snugly into the steerer.

    Be careful, removing a race without "proper" tools is a delicate task, not for the impatient. I use a putty/utility knife and a rubber mallet, slowly and carefully tapping the knife into the space between the race and fork crown, trying to keep it rising at an even rate all the way around. Once it has released a little I use a slightly thicker putty knife to continue to edge it up and off. It's not amazingly difficult, but be careful! That area of your fork needs to stay in good shape. If your steerer is carbon, don't do it yourself.

    You can use a very sharp flat bladed screw driver as well, but I find the utility knife more precise and less likely to move one side or the other too high.
    • CommentAuthorfilthpunx
    • CommentTimeOct 16th 2009
     
    i use a WIDE flat punch and a very, very light hammer. dont put a your new race on without apress though, its hard to not fuck it up.
  4.  
    The above advice is good.
    I've taken off and installed crown races with a flathead screwdriver and a hammer a hundred times but you gotta be willing to accept the fact that you're using the WRONG tools for that job and you may very well end up damaging the race or installing it wrong. There's loads of tutorials on the net about making your own press and removal tools for cheap though. That's definitely a smarter option if you don't wanna go to a shop or pay the Park Tool tax.
    • CommentAuthorglider
    • CommentTimeOct 18th 2009 edited
     
    Posted By: iron jaidenThe above advice is good.
    I've taken off and installed crown races with a flathead screwdriver and a hammer a hundred times but you gotta be willing to accept the fact that you're using the WRONG tools for that job and you may very well end up damaging the race or installing it wrong. There's loads of tutorials on the net about making your own press and removal tools for cheap though. That's definitely a smarter option if you don't wanna go to a shop or pay the Park Tool tax.


    the above advice is far, far better
    i usually pay a six pack at my lbs
    • CommentAuthorRuffinit
    • CommentTimeOct 19th 2009
     
    If I'm doing it at home (I have a park at the library), I use a shaped piece of hardwood (you can use an oak dowel or maybe a cut down broom handle) to take the thing out from the INSIDE of the steering tube. Suicide does it from outside the steerer which could potentially mar the finish. Just take your time. If you use a wooden tool, you can use a steel hammer. If you're faint of heart or are replacing the headset, just take the new races with you to the LBS and have them do the removal / install at the same time.
  8.  
    This sounds like a better solution, but I am totally confused... Diagram?
    • CommentAuthorAaron C
    • CommentTimeOct 19th 2009
     
    Posted By: RuffinitIf I'm doing it at home (I have a park at the library), I use a shaped piece of hardwood (you can use an oak dowel or maybe a cut down broom handle) to take the thing out from the INSIDE of the steering tube.


    Posted By: suicide_doorsThis sounds like a better solution, but I am totally confused... Diagram?


    me too... are we all talking about the same thing here? ruffinit, it sounds like you are talking about removing star nuts from inside of the steerer tube, not the lower headset race.
    if you are what kind of jedi mind trick do you use to get it off by putting a tool inside the steerer tube?
  10.  
    It's starting to sound like some sort of weird fetish.
  11.  
    My ghetto method is to turn my fork upside down, and take my really big crescent wrench and place it with the jaws around the fork crown and you place it with the points of the wrench facing downward, resting on the edges of the crown race and touching the fork crown. Once set up, I lay a block of softer wood on the ground and whack the whole thing downward onto the wood block being careful to hold onto the wrench and your fork firmly, letting the weight of the wrench do all the pounding for you on the crown race, and from both sides simultaneously like an old school crown race remover. You run the risk of damaging the steerer of your fork if you are too mean, as well as the paint on you fork crown, but I have had lots of success doing it this way, and never messed up a fork. Practice on a junk fork if you have one lying around, and be careful.
  12.  
    Posted By: suicide_doorsI use a putty/utility knife


    Posted By: suicide_doorsrubber mallet


    Posted By: iron jaidenflathead screwdriver and a hammer a hundred times


    I have used all these methods, I havent messed anything up yet, a couple scratches here and there, but nothing that harmed the function. I had some carbon ones that I didnt mess with, but everything else I did. All good DIY advice, just be patient.
  13.  
    There's a guy down the street with a shop, I've taken to borrowing his Park race puller. It takes like a twentieth of the time the of the manual method, and there's no risk.

    If you're worried, take it to a shop. I can't imagine anyone would have the gall to charge for such an operation.
  14.  
    Oh heck no, most to all the LBS's here in my area would do it for free of charge, unless they are in the ritzy area's, and well screw them anyways, they suck!!! Im in process of buying all the tools, cause I know i will be messing with bikes for...well forever!!
    • CommentAuthorr.p.r
    • CommentTime4 days ago
     
    I can't imagine how you could really wreck anything by using a ball-peen hammer and a punch. What could you break? I do this at least three times a week and have never had an issue once.

    Has anyone actually ruined there steer-tube or race doing this? I mean, you've got to have soft hands and go slow. But I think the idea buying a special Park tool to do this is not unlike getting your thetan levels checked. (Useless and expensive)
  16.  
    I can't imagine how you could really wreck anything by using a ball-peen hammer and a punch. What could you break?


    So wonderful.

    1: A ball-peen hammer has a round head. It's for striking a broad surface and making a dent.
    2: You can wreck the machined surface that the race sits against.
    3: You can wreck anything else by swinging a hammer and missing.

    That said, I've sharpened screwdrivers and tap-tap-tapped the race off with them.
  17.  
    Posted By: r.p.rWhat could you break?

    My heart, you cold bastard!
  18.  
    Oh, Suicide, it'll be OK. He's not worth it.
    • CommentAuthorpizzadude
    • CommentTime3 days ago
     
    I use a large knife and a hammer(gently) though,much the same as suicide_doors describes.It's rough but works fine.no problems yet
    • CommentAuthorr.p.r
    • CommentTime3 days ago
     
    Any time you pull out a hammer to work on a bike, you have to be careful.

    1: A ball-peen hammer has a round head. It's for striking a broad surface and making a dent.


    Go look at a ball-peen hammer. You'll notice it has two striking surfaces. One is round, the other is flat.

    See: http://bethmillner.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/ball-peen.jpg

    Technically speaking, the round end is the "ball-peen" end, but I have yet to see a ball-peen hammer without a flat head. It's is better than some other options: claw hammer and you'd put your eye out with the sharp end.

    2: You can wreck the machined surface that the race sits against.


    You might. I haven't.

    3: You can wreck anything else by swinging a hammer and missing.


    You'd have to be a fairly gorilla-type mechanic to be actually swinging a hammer with the intention of removing a headset race. You have to have gentle hands, friend, lest you fuck shit sky high. Tap tap tap. It's just a pressed fitting, major force is not required.


    And Suicide, with the money I save on not buying the official Park thing, I could spend the money a nice bottle of wine and two tickets to Zombie Land. Just you and me. And Josh, he can come. But he has to buy his own ticket.
  21.  
    Oh, no. I wasn't suggesting that you or anyone should go out and buy one. I was just sharing my experience with the borrowed tool which is the easiest thing ever to use. And my suggestion that the faint of heart should just go to a shop and STFU.

    As far as the ball peenis issue goes, I think the only reason every bp hammer has a flat head on it is to keep the weight balanced.

    I have been meaning to see Zombieland. Having a two-year-old really puts a damper on that kind of thing.
    • CommentAuthorr.p.r
    • CommentTime3 days ago edited
     
    Yeah, hey. Fatherhood appears time consuming. See Zombie Land though, when you get a chance. It is a fine piece of film making. I smell Oscar.

    About the hammer, I've been wrong before. But it works well.
  23.  
    Yeah, as I said, I've done it with success several times. I have seen a couple of forks mangled by improper removal, though. It only takes one bad move to do it.
  24.  
    Yep.

    I scarred the machined surface and had to file it flat again. Not a big deal, but a risk nonetheless.

    Borrowing a race puller from the LBS is probably the best way to go. Next time I need to do it, though, I'm going to try tapping a shitty knife all the way around, then switch to a screwdriver or some such item.

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