I'm convinced that a significant portion of the shifting problems we read about on these forums are caused by aggressive cleaning and spraying the derailleur with solvents. It drives the grease out of the pivot points and is overkill.

Aggressive degreasing is only needed when the derailleur is overhauled. They also don't need to be lubricated apart from overhaul.

Just clean and lube the pulleys and leave the rest of the derailleur alone.


-Tim-