I took the cage off my rear derailleur (Shimano Deore DX RD-M650) and the washers that provided the proper spacing between the pulleys and cage went flying everywhere. I’m not sure how they were positioned originally and now that it’s time to reassemble I want to make sure that I get it put back together correctly and am therefore looking for some input.

I found seven washers. I think I may have lost one but I had a suitable replacement laying around. So I reassembled the derailleur with eight washers: two washers on each side of each pulley. Here’s the result.



I’m concerned because there is a section on the bottom inside of the rear derailleur (bottom right in pic) where the cage is curved in towards the pulley that ever so slightly rubs against the chain. My inclination is to move the washer so that there are three on the inside of the pulley and one on the outside of the pulley to provide some more space. Is this how it should be done? Alternatively, it looks like there’s possibly room to add another washer. Would that be preferable?

Lastly, I noticed one of the pulleys doesn’t turn as smoothly as the other. I cleaned and greased the bearings but that didn’t seem to do the trick so I’m thinking of buying new ones… anything I should look for or avoid in new pulleys?

Thanks in advance!