bikemig 

I'm rebuilding a 1992 Specialized Stumpjumper. The headset needs to be replaced. The problem I am having is that the crown race almost lacks a lip. It extends out beyond the fork by around 1 mm. My campy crown race remover can't do the job. I reckon my best bet is to use a punch to knock it out, right? That will be tough because that race is on there pretty tight; they usually are.

fietsbob

Bike shop tools might knock it off..

"almost" should be enough.. have a bench vise?

Juan el Boricua

Using a flat bladed screwdriver and a hammer/small mallet, tap on opposing ends 'til loose. Have not failed me yet.

Andrew R Stewart 

I've used various knife like objects to hammer under the race and lift it off it's seat a tad. Working around the race seat. Like a stuck post, once it moves the battle is halfway won. Andy

HillRider

A sharp wood chisel is ideal for this. They are flat on one side and ground to a shallow bevel on the other that meet in a very thin edge. It's ideal for driving under the edge of the crown race between the race and the fork crown and gradually prying it up slightly. As Andy mentioned, once you move it even a little, the rest is easy.

canklecat

I had that problem with the crown race from a Chris King titanium headset on a '93 Trek 5900. The outer edge of the crown race was nearly flush with the fork crown. No way to tap it out with any makeshift tool. First time I tried driving a thin wedge in the crevice I could tell it was going to damage the fork crown, and possibly the crown race, and didn't budge the crown race in the slightest.

I took it to the LBS. They used their Park Tools crown race remover. It's one of those tools that's too expensive for most of us, ridiculously over-engineered, and does the job perfectly. They had to crown race off in a minute with no damage even to the paint. Fortunately I caught them at a slow time, just before the pandemic and rush on bike shops. I think they were going to charge only $5. I gave 'em $10. Great shop.

There are less expensive, somewhat similar tools with three independently adjustable wedges to ease out a crown race without damage. No idea whether they work as well as the Park.

bikemig 

Yeah no way I'm paying $269 for that tool. I have a campagnolo crown race remover. The Iweing crown race remover looks interesting and it is similar to HillRider s suggestion of a wood chisel. The Birzman tool looks interesting as well.




Iweing tool

Birzman tool

vintage campy tool

Crankycrank

The Birzman tool is just a bearing separator often used in car applications and can sometimes be found at auto parts stores through their tool loaner programs for free. Check around for pricing if you decide to buy one.

pdlamb

I get the "who dies with the most toys wins," but $5-10 for LBS shop labor is surely the least expensive option?

bikemig 

Yeah I largely agree but I don't mind picking up new tools as long as I think I can use them for more than one project and as long as the price is not too nutso. So I'm picking up some cold chisels and punches as the cost is reasonable and I can use them for more projects than just this one headset.

fietsbob

As long as you wont want to use that wood chisel again until after spending many hours trying to put an edge on it, again ..

Otherwise use a Cold Chisel for banging on steel..
hardened, blunt edge

rccardr 

I used a Birzman type tool for many years but found it difficult to avoid damaging the paint on the fork.

Finally broke down and bought the newest version Park tool. Yep, expensive, but works like a charm and no more damage!

bikemig 

Yeah well Doc I wish I lived a reasonable drive from you!

rccardr 

I wish you diid, too. Then I would get to ride some of your nice Treks!

bikemig 

Well a punch did the job. What the heck was Specialized thinking about in spec'ing a headset with a near lipless crown race? Methinks they were trying to get people to buy that Park $270 crown race remover. : )