Originally Posted by
Kimmo
These old 8s STIs are very durable, but they have tiny pawls inside which pivot on little pins about 1.5mm thick, and are actuated by hair springs. The grease gums up over time and seizes these little pivots.
In case it might matter at all the faulty shifter is a Shimano 105 3 speed from about 2002 and not an STI model. I have been using WD40 for a few days.... ( I am riding the bike
but I just cant get the front ring gears to change) I think I will switch over to Brake Cleaner which will act more of a solvent than WD40 which I think is more of a lubricant.
Id say for what these shifters cost, they could use a more long lasting synthetic grease that doesnt get thick and hard with time... or maybe some other formulation. There are many kinds of grease.