Bicycle Mechanics - Greasing STI Shifters After Rain

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sharkey00
06-10-09, 09:55 AM
After riding in the rain all winter my shifters have become squeaky. Is there a method to greasing these things? I was going to shoot some triflow in the general area of the internals of the shifter but was wondering if there was a proper method to this sort of thing.

Sci-Fi
06-10-09, 11:14 AM
Triflow works. Boeshield or Dupont Teflon spray is better, IMHO, it leaves a waxy coating after the carrier dries/evaporates.

Disassembly to properly service and grease the internals is "NOT" recommended. May not be able to reassemble correctly or lose/misplace some parts. In any case, here's a few links if you are curious (may be dated or out-of-date):
Dura-Ace STI:
http://www.norvil.net/pedal/service/shimanosti/duraace9sti/strip.php
Ultegra STI:
http://www.nitrodyno.com/Ultegra-STI/
Al1943
06-10-09, 02:55 PM
Shoot WD40 in the shifters first, then follow with oil based chain lube.

Wordbiker
06-10-09, 03:03 PM
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/314AGAJMVTL._SL500_AA260_.jpg

That's my preference, but whatever you use, be sure it's not something that becomes sticky in time. The inside of the shifters is like a watch: any thing sticky can gum up the works...sometimes permanently.
operator
06-10-09, 09:44 PM
Shoot WD40 in the shifters first, then follow with oil based chain lube.

If you can't displace the WD in time to lube it don't wd it.
Al1943
06-11-09, 01:56 PM
If you can't displace the WD in time to lube it don't wd it.

Since it has been proven many many times that WD40 works very well to restore STI shifters, I'll stick with my previous post.
After some rainy rides I started having serious problems with my 9-speed Dura-Ace shifters. After shooting them full of WD40 they have worked perfectly. That was 8-years ago and they're still going strong.