Rear mech fell apart!!??

bompington
bompington Posts: 7,674
edited September 2011 in Workshop
Put new rear mech on. Pedalled home yesterday, 20 odd miles & all was fine except it sounded just a hint noisy.
Set off to work this morning, all fine for 10 miles or so then the noise got worse. Stopped & looked to find the lower jockey wheel had disappeared & the cage was flapping loose.
Removed derailleur, shortened chain to single speed.
Backtracked to try and find any bits on the road, didn't see any so went on.
Had to fiddle with the chain a few times to get it in a stable set-up that didn't jump, jam etc; opted for a flat route to work rather than the 240m climb up Kilspindie that I was just about to turn up when it blew.

Has anyone else had this happen? This has never occurred to me before, but are you supposed to check the pulley bolts are tightened properly?

Comments

  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,325
    No, it's not normal... generally the bolts are loctite-ed in place...

    You should get a new one under warranty, no problem, or at least the spare.
    left the forum March 2023
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Bloody hell! Brand new rear mech?? I'd have thought the pulley bolts would be secured by some sort of threadlock from new (I may be wrong; never taken mine apart in 3 years)

    Can you name and shame so that fellow forumites can avoid buying the self-dismantling model?
  • centimani
    centimani Posts: 467
    Ive had exactly the same, but on an old Sora mech. Jockey wheel bolt fell out...bobs your uncle.
    I seem to remember i used a 5mm stainless bolt (from the bottle cage) to 'temporarily' replace the missing bolt, that temp repair became permanant. I just made sure the bolt didnt protrude beyong the side plates (which would foul the spokes of course)
  • ratsbeyfus
    ratsbeyfus Posts: 2,841
    I've had this happen with a campag xenon rear mech.

    I had one of them red bikes but I don't any more. Sad face.

    @ratsbey
  • ChrisSA
    ChrisSA Posts: 455
    Had this on an LX on my MTB. I hadn't rebuilt it properly. Then when it fell apart I bodged the fix again and forgot to solve it long term.

    It happened again!

    Second fix was done properly!
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  • pete.whelan
    pete.whelan Posts: 788
    go to your LBS and see if they have a gash rear mech you can use for parts.
    Recipe: shave legs sparingly, rub in embrocation and drizzle with freshly squeezed baby oil.
  • bompington
    bompington Posts: 7,674
    And now the shop gets back to me...
    well known online retailer wrote:
    Unfortunately this will not be covered under warranty as it looks like the derailleur has not been set up properly and has hit the spokes or it has taken a knock and the jockey wheel has came off.

    We will not be bale to replace it but what we could do is offer discount on a new one.

    I really, really cannot see how they can tell that from this picture...
    5817915973_5be3156bfb.jpg
    ...although, as I have just replied to them, it is of course possible that the inside of the cage fouled a fair few things as it flapped about.

    Looks like another of those customer service tests that are such a fun part of modern life......
  • bompington
    bompington Posts: 7,674
    Update: after a lot of delay (most of it my fault - on holiday, CBA etc.) the Well Known Online Retailer (large one based in a small village in NI :wink: ) has agreed to replace it.

    On balance I would say fair enough - they have a right to be a bit suspicious when a part gets returned with a rarely-heard-of problem. They refunded me the postage first without letting me know what they were doing - I sent them a strongly worded email complaining about only getting £2 refund! :oops:

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