Bicycle Mechanics - Help getting rid of rear derailleur pulley squeak

One (or both) of my pulleys is squeaking in the back of my 22 year old Univega commuter.

Pulled both of them off, cleaned them, put a little grease on the axle, a shot of teflon spray lube still chirping somewhere! :mad:
Solution? Many thanks :)

Maybe it's the chain squeaking as it passes the jockey wheels & not the jockey wheels themselves?

Maybe it's the chain squeaking as it passes the jockey wheels & not the jockey wheels themselves?
Seriously? :eek: How does that happen?

I oiled the crap out the chain, installed new pulleys, and there is still a squeak back there! :mad:

Maybe it's the chain squeaking as it passes the jockey wheels & not the jockey wheels themselves?
+1 on that suggestion, I've been fooled by this before.

Seriously? :eek: How does that happen?

I oiled the crap out the chain, installed new pulleys, and there is still a squeak back there! :mad:

Ah well then maybe it's not the chain. Not many other moving parts now are there? I'm stumped too.

An idea just came to mind.... How about squeaky springs? Try cleaning and lubricating the spring(s) of the derailleur.

Yeah, my money's on the mech spring. As it jogs up and down (emphasised by slightly stiff links in the chain) it will squeak unless there is a LOT of grease on there. You might even look into replacing it if possible - after all, a 22 year old spring can't be owing you any performance, can it?

Yeah, my money's on the mech spring. As it jogs up and down (emphasised by slightly stiff links in the chain) it will squeak unless there is a LOT of grease on there. You might even look into replacing it if possible - after all, a 22 year old spring can't be owing you any performance, can it?


squeaky springs

Ladies and gentlemen! All the way from Nevada! Give it up for "The Squeaky Springs!!!!!"
That's the name of my next band. :D

Seriously, I'll look at the springs. It's maddening because the rear d doesn't seem that complicated and it sounds like there is a little mouse in there gettin' down... :mad:

Definitely a mouse. Lure him out with promises of cheese.

Ladies and gentlemen! All the way from Nevada! Give it up for "The Squeaky Springs!!!!!"
That's the name of my next band. :D :

:D

Next dumb question: How do you grease the springs? Do you have to remove them?

Next dumb question: How do you grease the springs? Do you have to remove them?

A shot of lube on the mounting points; that's the only part that could squeak. You do not have to remove them.

HOWEVER, are you sure you properly lubed the pulley wheels?
Every R derailleur squeak I have ever encountered (and there have been a few) was in the pulley wheels.

If the squeek is constant as the chain is moving, I'll bet it is still the derailleur pulley. Take the pulley off and look at the bushing in the center. If it is worn out or has grooves it needs to be replaced and will squeek even when its lubed. This is from personal experience.

If the squeek is constant as the chain is moving, I'll bet it is still the derailleur pulley. Take the pulley off and look at the bushing in the center. If it is worn out or has grooves it needs to be replaced and will squeek even when its lubed. This is from personal experience.

I installed a set of brand new Shimano pulley and even put a dab of synthetic bearing grease on the axle (bushing) and I am still getting Topo.

It must be something else! :mad:
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0000AZT1S.01._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg

Lame! I hope the pulleys did not set you back too much. Were they worn out? Is the bike shifting well otherwise?

Do you hear this squeak when turning the cranks backwards, forwards, or both?

Do you hear this squeak when turning the cranks backwards, forwards, or both?

Both ways. :(

Good, that eliminates the freehub and the dork disc, assuming there is one. Has to be the derailer.

The jockey pulleys have these stationary discs (one one each side) that press against the bearing bush; if these are bent or misaligned, then the pulley will rub against it and squeak.

Good, that eliminates the freehub and the dork disc, assuming there is one. Has to be the derailer.

The jockey pulleys have these stationary discs (one one each side) that press against the bearing bush; if these are bent or misaligned, then the pulley will rub against it and squeak.

The jock pulleys are new too.

This is very mysterious and annoying malady. :mad:

Lube the bolt that holds each pully on?

Since you are sure it is in the derailleur,have you tried grasping it at the cage & moved it back & forth while holding the body?Maybe also try holding the whole body & rocking it forward & backwards? Isolation is the key.

Perhaps you might remove the chain and move/rotate each moving part to find the culprit.

I got an idea. Try replacing that 22 year-old chain, even though it's probably got no rust and enough oil for a Roman orgy.

Something tells me (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=177287) it'll work. ;)