Identify this part
 

So there i was, adjusting my front derailleur cable with a "4th Hand" tool, when all of a sudden out pops this squiggly little spring-type piece.

I examined the front mech and could not readily identify exactly where the piece had sprung from in order to try reinserting it. I then took the next logical step and checked out the exploded view of the F/D on the shimano tech page. It was of no use.

I adjusted the cable anyway, and took the bike outside to check 'er out. Oddly enough, there was no discernible difference in my front shifting. I thought this was strange, and I simply don't trust it to stay that way out on the trail. I figure if parts are jumping out of my derailleur, that's bound to be a bad thing.

Anyway, I've attached a picture of the piece, next to a quarter for scale. Can somebody help me figure out:
a) where does this piece fit back in?
b) can it easily be reinserted, or am i better off just dropping $40 on a new front mech?
c) will it possibly be okay to keep riding without it, and expect nothing bad to come of it?

The derailleur is a Shimano XT top swing front mech. It is a 2003 M750, not a newer M760. I believe that there is little to no difference between the two, but perhaps I am wrong about that.

is it hard? are you sure its not a worm lol

:roflmao:

Might it be from the tool? I looked at my 4th hand and didn't see one of those, but maybe your's is different.

If the FD works properly, along with the rest of the bike, I wouldn't worry about it.

do you like to go fishing?


well...it looks like it has symmetry. is it some type of retaining clip??

That is not from a FD.

if everything still works, then forget about it and keep on riding :)

IT IS FROM THE FRONT DERAILLEUR!!! Here is a pic of it on my Deore.


http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h3...eWind/part.jpg

wow... i gotta check mine when i get home.

Ha of everybody Siu was the one to figure it out ^^ やった　シウ　さん！

Just went to check, and sure enough it wasn't there..... Wait, I hope it isn't there since there is no front deraillieur.

You guys are idiot's. That's a quarter.

It is a spring which that is in the front derailer. It helps keep the derailer aligned properly, I replaced my front after that exact spring popped out on a ride. With out it the derailer would not align and shift properly.

:roflmao: