Folding Bikes - Chain tensioner on Brompton not spring-loaded anymore?

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carfreephilly
12-25-10, 12:02 PM
I took apart the chain tensioner/derailleur on my Brompton today for a full cleaning. When I went to put the tensioner arm back on, the spring no longer loaded--it just kind of sat there. I made sure the ends of the spring were inserted into the little slots in the plastic housing, checked to be sure the bolt wasn't on too tight...still nothing. So now I have no chain tension at all. How the heck do I get this thing back on so it's spring-loaded?! I have no idea what I did wrong.

Naturally, the LBS that services my Brompton is closed until the new year, so if I really broke something then I'm stuck until then. :(

fietsbob
12-25-10, 12:18 PM
Maybe the spring broke, unscrew the one screw in the center and look.
If you didn't touch that, already it may be the case.

you may be able to find someone to ship a replacement chain tensioner over the web,
but that may take the Week to ship it.
carfreephilly
12-25-10, 01:53 PM
Thanks, I figured it out--the spring was slightly bent. It must have been pushed in the wrong direction at some point, but I managed to get it working again. Whew!

Now if I could just get the top gear working...the chain pusher doesn't seem to be adjusted correctly. But this is what days off are for, right? :)