SRAM Red shifters - cable removal

Yossie
Yossie Posts: 2,600
edited December 2010 in Workshop
Afternoon All

A quick question if I may.

Apart from using a sledgehammer, is there a simple knack to removing (threading out) the cable from the right hand (ie rear mech) shifter of SRAM Red so you can put new cables in?

Normally to see entry/exit routing, I just push the cable in situ up into the shifter and the cable will show the routing it needs to replace (ie the nipple will pop out of the entry hole), however with this one I can see the nipple but I can't make it move - its sitting in the groove in the red coloured plastic thingy - shifter moves perfectly but the cable doesn't pop out.

I've tried with the side plate on, with the side plate off, with the ratchet in several different positions to no avail.

The shifters are brand new never used with brand new brand new never used factory fitted cables off a brand new never used bike - only changing to use Gore cables on a different bike.

Any help gratefully received.

kr

Y

Comments

  • Pokerface
    Pokerface Posts: 7,960
    If you push on the cable - it *should* feed itself out. If Now - if you've taken the side plate off - you should have full access to the cable (you said you can see it in the red plastic thingy?)

    That should make it even easier to feed the cable out.


    You can try clicking the shifter one way (towards the left), then while holding the cable (or pushing it back in), click the shifter on e click at a time. This will release all the tension on the cable - and it should pop out of the red plastic thingy.


    it's all hard to explain, but easy to do. :oops:
  • Yossie
    Yossie Posts: 2,600
    Perfect - thankyou very much.

    After remoiving the cable it turned out that because the shifter had been off the bike the cable had moved up out of the red plastic guide and the groove where the nipple normally sits (retained by cable tension) and had lodged itself right at the very top by the ratchet spring.

    All sorted now though - again, thankyou very much for your help.

    Y
  • Scrumple
    Scrumple Posts: 2,665
    Now wait until you try and thread the new ones!

    I had problems! Sorted with a thinner cable and a clean through.
  • Pokerface
    Pokerface Posts: 7,960
    Scrumple wrote:
    Now wait until you try and thread the new ones!

    I had problems! Sorted with a thinner cable and a clean through.


    I have literally spent HOURS trying to feed new cables through. Sometimes they feed through instantly - other times they are a real f%^^cker to get through!
  • Yossie
    Yossie Posts: 2,600
    Great....... Something else to look forward to in my world of pain.

    Pass the angle grinder please.

    Any hints or tips? I've noticed people have said bend the cbale slightly before inserting (oooerr) into the shifter, some have said use thinner cables (which as its as new Gore Pro kit I must admit that I'm loath to do).

    Does the same hassle apply to both brake and shifter cable fitting or just rear mech shifter?
  • Scrumple
    Scrumple Posts: 2,665
    Just the gear cable,

    I did one instantly, the the other would not go. Tried to superglue it but got worse as it was thicker.

    Only way was to buy a thinner cable from Halfords round the corner and it went in and shifted the tiny bit of dirt blocking it.

    So that's my tip - get a finer diameter wire to clean the path.
  • Pokerface
    Pokerface Posts: 7,960
    Yossie wrote:
    Great....... Something else to look forward to in my world of pain.

    Pass the angle grinder please.

    Any hints or tips? I've noticed people have said bend the cbale slightly before inserting (oooerr) into the shifter, some have said use thinner cables (which as its as new Gore Pro kit I must admit that I'm loath to do).

    Does the same hassle apply to both brake and shifter cable fitting or just rear mech shifter?

    Just the gear cable as it has to 'bend around.

    If you are using the Gore cables, the problem you *might* have is the coating rubbing off a bit and jamming up the bit where the cable passes through.


    Recently I've been using cables that have the ends as a solid piece - so it can't fray until you cut it. That solves all problems.

    You're working with a new shifter so it should be OK.

    Tips include: feed it through slowly (if you jam it in there it will fray the cable and jam up). If you have ANY problems, try taking the little "door" off the the side of the shifter so you can see what you are doing. I've found that makes it easier too.

    Good luck and let us know how you got on!
  • Yossie
    Yossie Posts: 2,600
    Smashing - thankyou very much for all your help.

    Will do - I'll send a pic of it as the lump hammer smashes it into a million smithereens.

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