Bicycle Mechanics - Urgent front der problem

All my fault, I loaded my bike into the back of my car drive train down. I always cause my worst problems, at least I know who to blame. Anyway now my chain touches the cage at either the large or small chain ring, and it even touches the cage on the middle chain ring when on the rear cogs 2 in from the extremes. I tried adjusting the inner & outer limit screws and they don't go far enough and just make it so I can't shift onto the large ring. I've returned them to the original settings & can shift again. So I tried the barrel adjuster with no success. I really want to commute Monday and none of lbs near me are open or have wrenchs on Sunday. Anyone think they can talk me through this?
Please.:o :o

Jean,

Sight unseen I can't be sure. But check: the clamp attaching the derailleur to the frame may have slipped a little, causing the cage to swing like a pivot so that it is no longer parallel to the chain (when the chain is straight, front to back). Another possibility is a bent cage, so you might check that, too.

Play around with it. This is the best way to learn (but not when you're in a hurry! ;) )

Thanks Pete, I was just coming up to say that although it didn't look like the clamp had shifted I'd tried lowering it a tad and that seemed to work. At least it will get me to Tuesday when the wrench stays late at the LBS. Thanks much.:)

Jean;
I found these instructions excellent.
http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/howfix_frontderailleur.shtml
Easy to follow - they took a lot of the terror or screwing up my derailleur. I now adjust both my own and my wifes derailleurs. You might give it a try! They include Pete's tips and other stuff.

Good luck!

Would you believe..."took a lot of the terror out of adjusting..."

Thanks Nobby, not only was that very helpful, but I discovered that a bike shop within an hours drive supposedly has the "Park Tool School" sessions. I've already e-mailed them to see if they are still running them.

Jean -- If your front derailleur is of the bottom-pull (road-bike-style) variety, make sure that the cable is algined properly in its groove in the under-the-bottom-bracket guide.