Question about LX rear der.

[benb]

I have a 2001 ( I think) LX Rear deraiuller on my Giant iguana. It has XT shifters if that matters, cables have been on since 2001 as well but I don't think the cables are the problem here.

The barrel adjuster where the cable enters the rear deraiuller has become corroded, it can be turned with pliers but I can't turn it with my fingers anymore. It's basically so hard to turn I can't adjust the deraiuller anymore.

I loosened the cable and sprayed the adjuster with WD40 and other assorted chemicals but it doesn't seem to have loosened it up.

The bike shop says they can fix it (without seeing the bike yet) but I'm wondering if I should just get a new deraiuller online and do it myself.

Anyone seen this before or have a tip? Other than the adjuster the deraiuller still works just fine.

Ben

[bike187]

the adjuster bolts sometime rust on certain models cause the design. it should be an easy fix. see how much the shop is gonna charge. then check and see how much a new drlr would cost. things like these give yourself a good excuse to upgrade if you want (if you wanted to upgrade and are getting a new drlr, might as well upgrade at the same time right?) personally, i would just get the drlr fixed, lx drlrs work pretty well. if they're gonna charge you more then $10 for it though, i might look into getting a new drlr unless the old one was in perfectly good condition. also, you cna adjust the tension at the shifter very easy as well. just screw in the adjust all the way then back out 3/4 a turn, unbolt the drlr cable anchor bolt at the drlr, pull hand tight, tighten anchor bolt, then adjust tension at the shifter pod.

note: if your cables are 2 or more years old, you should consider changing them at the same time.

[sizlinseagulsoup]

Give it to the bike shop.

I assume your shifting sucks. It's likely the cable (if your deraileur is corroded, then your cable probably has a lot of unnecessary friction going through the housing. They can take care of it, also for a lot cheaper than doing it online.

take out the old barrell adjuster and go to the LBS and buy a new one....Some shops keep old derailleurs for parts and probably can set you up with a used adjuster.....Get some new cables as well.....
SUPPORT YOUR LBS!!

[sizlinseagulsoup]

On a side note, you should lube up your deraileur using an aerosol every few rides (I'm assuming you don't do this already, and use something like Pedro's Extra Dry as opposed to WD40).

[splat]

Go down to your LBS.

Last time I need a part like this , they handed me a handfull of Broken Derailers ( for Free) , so Of course I took the part I needed off of the XTR one ;D

Thank you Landry's

[benb]

Hmm... I actually have been using Pedros Ultra dry lube for the last 2-3 years, bike got new cables last spring, shifting was fine, it got a little off and that's when I noticed the adjuster was freezing up.

I don't MTB as much as most of you guys cause I ride road mostly, but the derailluer has been through an awful lot of snow/salt/mud and I guess I just didn't do a good enough job cleaning it.

Guess the consensus is let the bike shop fix it.

Ben

[splat]

No I wouldn't say that , for the price the bike shop will charge you can buy a New derailler ( which they will tell you, you need ) and do it your self.

[benb]

I got a new cable/housing + barrel adjuster yesterday. I called around to bike shops and no one said they had the adjusters, but once I went in one of the mechanics said, "Oh, we're swimming in those" and gave me one.

I took it partly apart but haven't finished it yet.

Ben

[sizlinseagulsoup]

No I wouldn't say that , for the price the bike shop will charge you can buy a New derailler ( which they will tell you, you need ) and do it your self.


Being a mechanic, I never tell someone to buy something I know they don't need. Sounds like someone had a bad bike shop experience.

[benb]

Thanks for the help...

I put it together last night. It was pretty easy. Other than the fact that it was freezing in my garage. And it works great. It did really need the new cable. :)

Now that I've done it once I'm not going to pay to get it done anymore... now I just need to figure out how to do it on my road bike. The STI shifters don't look as easy as the mountain bike ones.

Ben