Originally Posted by
lwahonen
Seven years later, and I have this exact same problem. How did you solve it in the end?
this is the MOST detailed exploded view i could find on that twist shifter...
http://si.shimano.com/pdfs/ev/EV-SL-8S20-A-3279.pdf
the springs are not shown... i'd think they may be part of a pawl/detent system inside the shift mech. itself, and Shimano considers that part un-serviceable?... frankly, the one i've got here(7sp. model) is not quite the same, but feels like a normal "flexing finger of the housing" type detent...the DIFFERENCE between your 8 sp, and my 7 sp, appears to mostly be the INDICATOR, not the shifter itself... is it now loose, or not precisely located when you shift?
if it works ok on the bench, go test ride, and be aware of ANY unusual operation... or, if it really bugs you, or doesn't work correctly, a new one is about 25 bucks, on Ebay...
but.... if you're like me.... you'll still want to know WHERE they fell out of, right?
look in the twister detent area... The COVER should not be a factor in their staying put, so.... they came loose on their own... i've changed a couple cables in that style twist shifter, and no small springs fell out.... so far....