Shifters won't work

hodge68
hodge68 Posts: 162
edited March 2012 in Workshop
Hi, ive been adj my 105 front mech, as it struggled to move from the 34 into 50. Now the shifters won't release the cable to allow the mech to move the chain back down to the 34 chainring. Not sure if ive brocken the shifter as there is no clicking noise when trying to move down the chainring. Can anyone help, i did have a long ride planned for tomorrow.
Ridley Boreas
Spesh RockHopper pro
Boardman cx comp

Comments

  • rake
    rake Posts: 3,204
    di2 for you then.
  • wishitwasallflat
    wishitwasallflat Posts: 2,927
    Have you checked that the inner cable is moving freely through the outers and not frayed or in poor condition anywhere?
  • tackleberry
    tackleberry Posts: 82
    Looking at it logically the action of shifting the chain from the large to the small chainring is to release tension. If this does not happen then either the cable end has become unshipped from inside the shifter(re-install?) or the shifter is indeed u/s. Other possibilities include overstretched inner cable or a gummed up FD spring/arm (lubricate). I would suspect cables/FD before writing off the shifter.

    Bit more use than some eh!

    T
  • wishitwasallflat
    wishitwasallflat Posts: 2,927
    tackleberry wrote:
    Looking at it logically the action of shifting the chain from the large to the small chainring is to release tension. If this does not happen then either the cable end has become unshipped from inside the shifter(re-install?) or the shifter is indeed u/s. Other possibilities include overstretched inner cable or a gummed up FD spring/arm (lubricate). I would suspect cables/FD before writing off the shifter.

    I had exactly that problem and it was the inner (new) binding as it travelled through the outer (old) - new outer fitted and it was sorted. When I peeled back the hood cover I could see as I clicked the end of the cable moved out of the body of the brifter rather than the cable releasing down the outer so FD wouldn't release.
  • hodge68
    hodge68 Posts: 162
    All sounds possible, will have a go at it in the morning. Starting with the cable then the shifter arm/spring. Have to say the cable felt under more tension than i thought it would be. Was worried about the shifter as that nice click sound of the cable releasing had gone but if the cable was not moving or had become unseated it would be quiet i suppose.Thank you for the advise, i will let you know how it goes tomorrow.
    Ridley Boreas
    Spesh RockHopper pro
    Boardman cx comp
  • wishitwasallflat
    wishitwasallflat Posts: 2,927
    Good luck hodge - the key obvious sign for me was when I clicked to release cable nowt happened but when I pulled the inner - as it emerged from the outer - it came through and when I let go of the inner it then ran the rest of the way to derailleur. So I new it was sticking in that bit of outer - if you check that way you can work through every point of contact in the route and see it it's sticking.

    PS - I was praying it was a £10 outer and not a shifter when I had that issue and I shall say one for you tonight if I may :D
  • hodge68
    hodge68 Posts: 162
    you can(thank you) and thanks for the advise, had been thinking how on earth to check in a logical order. I need all the luck i can get as it started out as a simple cable tension issue.
    Ridley Boreas
    Spesh RockHopper pro
    Boardman cx comp
  • hodge68
    hodge68 Posts: 162
    Right then, ive had a mess and although its now working, its not as slick as it has been. I believe the problem is the cable not running through the outer. Ive lubed it and its a little better, but will need replacing.Still going for my ride. Thanks all, will let you know how the ride went
    Ridley Boreas
    Spesh RockHopper pro
    Boardman cx comp
  • wishitwasallflat
    wishitwasallflat Posts: 2,927
    hodge68 wrote:
    Right then, ive had a mess and although its now working, its not as slick as it has been. I believe the problem is the cable not running through the outer. Ive lubed it and its a little better, but will need replacing

    Sounds like you had the same issue as I did - new inner and outers should hopefully sort it.
  • hodge68
    hodge68 Posts: 162
    Thank you all so much for your help. My sunday ride was great :) . Changing gear was not slick, but worked. Definately the cable. Will change it next weekend( on holiday in Hereford during this week 8) ) at the same time i fit my new bars.
    Ridley Boreas
    Spesh RockHopper pro
    Boardman cx comp
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    I'd check the condition of the cable at the shifter end ASAP. Release the cable at the mech clamp, pull the brake lever and peer inside where the end of the cable sits. Push the cable to see if moves freely, make sure the cable isn't fraying inside the shifter (mine was :shock: ), and check if the cable end is sitting snugly where it should in the shifter. Then apply a bit of tension to the cable and check that the shifter produces the required number of clicks in both directions. If all is well, reattach the cable at the clamp and set up from scratch following the instructions on Shimano TechDocs.

Categories