Front derailleur - struggling to get tension on cable

bnmcmhn
bnmcmhn Posts: 40
edited May 2010 in Workshop
I've got a triple shimano setup, with tiagra shifters, a campag centaur derailleur, and an unknown crank.

Whenever I fit cables to the derailleur I put the shifter on the bottom ring, screw the barrel adjuster all the way in, pull the cable as tight as I can with plyers, and then tighten the cable.

When I adjust the tension for proper indexing, I have to turn the barrel so much that the barrel completely screw out of the threads, I can just about adjust it right if I use plyers to over tighten barrel first.

Thing is after a few months I have to add tension again but have no room for adjustment so have to reattach cable again,

I imagine that it is not normal to be right at the end of possible adjustment after first attaching the cable. Is this a sign that the derailleur needs replacing, or does using a campag derailler cause this?

Comments

  • tonkin
    tonkin Posts: 67
    Before you tighten cable, Is the inner gear shifter clicked in fully? The cable is then at slackest.
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    I just bought some proper cable grabber type pliers from ProbikeKit for just over a fiver. Such a clever tool. First it grabs the cable end, then as you tighten your grip further it pushes against the mech or caliper to tension it, then with your thumb you flick a lever to lock it in position. All one handed! You're then free to tighten the cable clamp bolt at your leisure.

    Why I didn't buy one 20 years ago I don't know.

    I'll post a link if I can find it again
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=T0033

    Here you go. £5.40 for the PBK tool, as opposed to £44 for the Park Tools version. Look nearly identical to me!
  • bnmcmhn
    bnmcmhn Posts: 40
    Thanks for replies,

    derailler is definately in lowest shifting position, will look at the tools..

    so this doesn't indicate a problem with derailleur?
  • tonkin
    tonkin Posts: 67
    keef66 wrote:
    http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=T0033

    Here you go. £5.40 for the PBK tool, as opposed to £44 for the Park Tools version. Look nearly identical to me!

    Thanks too.

    While your at it, can you find that tool that takes a tyre off with 1 hand. That's another useful.
  • tonkin
    tonkin Posts: 67
    Check the FD moves freely back and forth on it's own with no wire attached.

    Click the outer lever, undo the FD bolt and force hold, align the FD over the big chain ring with hand, tool and hold it while pulling the wire tight, tightening the wire bolt. Even easier if you got 3 hands but i find you don't have to pull the wire so tight.

    or you've inserted the cable into the shifter wrongly but happens more with rear shifter.

    Change make of cable.

    Could be dirty, stuck outer cable. replace outer cable.

    Then lastly look at a new shifter.
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    "While your at it, can you find that tool that takes a tyre off with 1 hand"

    Here you go

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... delID=8176

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