Is my front brake lever shifter broken?
01-09-21, 02:44 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 12
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Is my front brake lever shifter broken?
I have a 25 year old Univega road bike with 105 componentry. Bike hasn't been ridden in 10 plus years but was working fine last time it was. I am now investigating using it on a trainer but when I checked it out, the front brake lever shifting apparatus is not working correctly. When I engage either the brake lever or the inner downshift lever, there is no resistance or derailleur movement. The cable is taunt however so I don't think it's become unattached. Does this sound like a common easily repairable failure? I didn't accidently put it some shift lockout mode, did I?
01-09-21, 03:24 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 14,363
Bikes: Stewart S&S coupled sport tourer, Stewart Sunday light, Stewart Commuting, Stewart Touring, Co Motion Tandem, Stewart 3-Spd, Stewart Track, Fuji Finest, Raleigh Pro, Trek Cycle Cross, Mongoose tomac ATB, GT Bravado ATB, JCP Folder
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2705 Post(s)
Liked 884 Times
in
642 Posts
The most common reason for this is that the tiny ratchet pawls are no longer freely pivoting on their little shafts. The grease that was used to lube during the factory assembly has finally become gummy. The usual fix is to soak/flush out the old sticky lube and refresh with new and slippery lube. There are dozens of on line vids as well as threads here on BF that show this process. Andy
__________________
AndrewRStewart
AndrewRStewart
Likes For Andrew R Stewart:
01-09-21, 03:44 PM
#3
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 12
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Please excuse my ignorance as I am not bike mechanic savvy but are these pawls located on the derailleur itself or part of the brake lever shifting system? I would be most appreciative if somebody could link me to an article or youtube video that explains this in more detail.
01-09-21, 04:12 PM
#4
Really Old Senior Member
Blast the shifter innards with a solvent. One of my few uses for WD-40.
01-09-21, 04:13 PM
#5
Mother Nature's Son
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Sussex County, Delaware
Posts: 1,673
Bikes: Early 90's Ochsner road, 2006 Schwinn SS DBX, 2014 Orbea Avant MD30, 2004 Airborne Zeppelin TI, 2003 Lemond Poprad, 1989? Fuji Ace, 2001 Lemond Tourmalet, 2014? Soma Smoothie
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 443 Post(s)
Liked 433 Times
in
261 Posts
Just search youtube for flushing brake/shifters levers. Same for google
01-09-21, 04:13 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 8,416
Mentioned: 45 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 988 Post(s)
Liked 173 Times
in
131 Posts
Originally Posted by geepondy
Please excuse my ignorance as I am not bike mechanic savvy but are these pawls located on the derailleur itself or part of the brake lever shifting system?
A derailer, with very few exceptions, can be moved smoothly through its range of motion once unhooked from the cable. No controls there.
01-09-21, 06:40 PM
#7
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 12
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I think I'm in trouble now. I removed the cap of the hood near where the cable exits the assembly, which was held on by a Hex screw. The cap came off along with a spring and I can't put it back together!
