front derailleur spring gone?

tom_j

my front derailleur is not shifting. i have tried adjust cable tension etc but it seems like the spring is not working. when i have tension in the cable when in the big ring and then shift to middle or little ring, the cable goes completely slack (i.e. drooping down) i can push the derailleur side to side with my hands and it just stays in the position i leave it.

i will probably take it to the shop but wondered if i can fix it myself? i'm not sure what the problem is though and how to fix it. any ideas?

i have read park tools and sheldon browns pages but they assume that the system is in working order and how to tweak it but i think something may have broke?

stumpyjon

Almost certainly not relevant but I had this happen over Christmas when I was out riding, a small stone got stuck in the mech and wouldn't let it return to the smallest sprocket, how the hell it happened I don't know but there were witnesses. As I said almost 100% not your problem, just thought I'd share.TBH if you can't see what's obviously wrong (and it sounds like you've had a good fiddle) you're probably better off with a new mech, CRC are doing conventional pull LX mechs for £14 at the moment.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... delID=6074

tom_j

are they pretty easy to fit?

supersonic

Sounds like the pivots have siezed. Give it a good bath in degreaser, work the mech with your hands to get the stuff in, rinse dry and oil.