Had to pick between a new headset press or fixing my old one with a homemade tool

Julia Carter · 2026-04-03T00:45:05.870154+00:00

The shop's old Park Tool HHP-2 press had a bent ram from a bad drop. I could either order a new one for about $300 or try to straighten it with a bench vise and some careful hammer taps. I went with the fix, spent two hours getting it close to true. It works okay for most bikes now, but I still get a little wobble on carbon frames. Anyone have a better fix for a bent press ram that doesn't cost a full replacement?

thomas.tyler6mo ago

Try using a dial indicator on the ram to find the high spots, then tap it straight with a brass hammer. That extra bit of precision might kill the wobble for good.

9

nancyramirez6mo ago

Wait, did you check the press base too?

8

the_iris6mo ago

My old vise has a slight twist too, makes pressing headset cups feel like a guessing game sometimes.

2