this gear shift (?) is supposed to go from 1 to 7 but for some reason it's only go from 5 to 7 and stuck there. Does anyone know how to fix this? I'm trying to not buy a new gear shift but if it comes to that I will.
Bought a used bike, I'm new to cycling and I'm trying to fix it
byu/Repulsive-Honey2211 inbikewrench
by Repulsive-Honey2211
14 Comments
https://preview.redd.it/k7soequnvdrd1.jpeg?width=3456&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c48a13118d47fa1bb2f8ef2ec4408c35b325b634
this is what it looks like outside if anyone is wondering
I have had good luck spraying some wd40 or pb blaster into shifters to loosen up the gunk and get thinks lubricated again
it can only shift properly when the cable is clean and not damaged, the bowden cable isn’t gunked up, the derailleur is clean and oiled.
Seems like the cable battles through tons of gunk.
To reach “1” you loosen the pulling tension in the shifter and the spring in the derailleur pulls the cable back to the end of the bike and it “relaxes”. if there’s to much dirt around it can’t relax properly.
usually due to dirt buildup preventing the pawl from catching.
– see if a cleaning will get the gunk out, saturate it with WD-40 or simple green, then hit it with compressed air. relube with something light
– if that doesn’t work, you dismantle and clean out each part, its pretty straightforward, I think only 2 bolts? but take a lot of photos so you can reassemble it.
Wd 40 will work in the short term. If you can use some degreaser/chain cleaner and then add some new grease after cleaning it out, that will be best. Will probably work like new
Wd40 is awesome but is likely what caused this problem. It’s really good at collecting dust over time and becoming gummed up. Made the mistake of using it on my MTB once.. tough to clean after that
You need a shifter flush. Once it’s cleaned up it should work like new. Just be sure to add some lube once you’ve cleaned it
Check out 1-Step from Finish Line. I’ve been using the aerosol for years to bring stuck shifters back to life
Non chlorinated brake clean to remove as much gunk as possible then silicone spray has worked for me, I’ve taken them apart before but it’s really not worth the hassle. There’s a little paw around the 6 o’clock position in the little cutout which is usually what causes this issue, it gums up and the tiny spring that moves it can’t over power the gunk.
Classic case of original Shimano grease gumming up.
Spray of wd40 or similar reactivates the grease and your good to go.
The first thing I do before working on any bike is clean it thoroughly.
“1 step”, spray clean lube. Check on Amazon
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkZxPIZ1ngY](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkZxPIZ1ngY)
That style of shifter usually has 2 or more spring-loaded pawls that need to move freely in order for the shifting to work properly. Over time the pawls can get gummed up from old grease, which I think is the issue you are having. You need to identify the sticky pawl, and then hit it with some lube such as Tri-Flow and then work the pawl back-and-forth with a pokey tool (small pick) until it starts moving freely again.
You have to clean that stuck up grease. Best bet is carefully dissasembling while keeping track of how each part goes. Then clean them with normal dishwasher detergent, and finally after reassembling putting new grease. Vasseline should do the work.