Bicycle Mechanics - Record 9-speed rear shifter problem: no "click" into lowest gear

Does my rear Record 9-speed shifter need overhauling?

Bought a pair of carbon Record 9-speed shifters used this past summer for a great deal. I assume they're the circa 2000-2001 model. I just recently put them on a bike, and while they're mostly terrific, I don't seem to have the right number of "clicks" for all nine gears. Specifically, there's no click when I press the paddle to get into the lowest gear, and I have to maintain pressure on the paddle for the shift to happen. Then sometimes on a hill I get a phantom upshift to the second cog.

Additionally, when I hit the thumb lever to upshift it goes directly from the first cog to the third cog--only by pressing ever so slightly without effecting a click can I manage to shift only to the second cog.

Having just typed that out, I'm convinced I do need to overhaul the innards. Right? Questions are: Which innards, exactly? Where can I get them? And also, where can I get the tweezer-like pliers used in this video of a rebuild which I intend to follow?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2t0ttU_Jm0Y

Many thanks for any advice on this.

I think your derailleur and shifter are not set up quite right.
My suggestion is to shift the chain onto the largest chainring and smallest cog. Disconnect the cable from the rear derailleur and push the small shift knob all the way to the bottom while pulling the loose cable out of the shifter. The idea to to make sure the shifter is in its last position and that as much of the cable as possible is out of the shifter. Screw the barrel adjuster about 3/4 of the way in. If needed adjust the high limit screw and attach the cable to the derailleur using care to route it correctly. there should be no slack in the cable. Try shifting through all cogs, you may need to turn the barrel adjuster out (counter-clockwise) adding tension to the cable.

As you probably know, if you have early 9-speed shifters you also need an early 9-speed rear derailleur.

You were absolutely correct. I pulled the cable tighter, and now it works like a charm. I am actually aware of the need to do that, but somehow the cable must have inadvertently slackened in my grip when I set it up the first time. I just assumed that it was already tight enough, and so further assumed that the problem must have been elsewhere.

Thanks!