Hello Folks . So I just received this Deore XT in the mail. To work with my 7-8 speed conversion. Question is, should there be some sort of spacer between the Derailleur and frame? Looks like it would bind in it's present condition.

It appears complete. If your concern is the proximity of the top pulley to the mounting bolt, that will be taken care of when a chain is installed and the cage is in tension.

I'd be more concerned about the really worn guide pulley. Andy

All there. The screw below the mounting bolt "b screw" catches on the step of the derailleur hanger. I'd clean and lube that one before installing it.

the b-screw tab is about to jump the stop on the upper knuckle... you should be more worried about that than an undefined "spacer".

and i agree about that upper roller needing help/cleaned/replaced.

update: after digging out that exact model der. from my vast corporate stockpile of old shimano MTB derailleurs...... there's a black plastic dress cover missing from the b-screw plate area... it does nothing, structurally.

Absolutely! The guy did say the pulleys had to be cleaned up. Think it was a little more than that. I've since dismantled the cage and found the ceramic was damaged as well have to get replacements. off ebay. Hope I can find them.

Not missing washer. Great derailleur.

I don’t know what looks more cruddey the derailleur or the keyboard but both are vintage and should clean up nicely although the jockey wheels look fairly worn.

The B axle pivot is complete as is. The C-clip is recessed below the lip surrounding it, that contacts the hanger face.

The RD appears to be M737/739, these did not have exterior cover around the B-axle mount. Some of the slightly earlier model did (M735...).

Yes now that you mentioned it. Think this derailleur has lived a hard life. I believe I found another problem. I'm not sure it's easily visible in the picture. There is cutout where I guess acts to position the derailleur on the hanger itself. I'll try to post another picture. The hanger is apparently wider than the locating cutout in the derailleur. Could it be due to it's newer 8 speed era..

here's pics of a decently clean/well preserved one...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/30614107297...rchantid=51291

and when right, they work great.
NOS ones, in box, go for $200 smackers!
ours are less than NOS, eh?
and thank you for getting me to search up info on the m732... i realized that i not only have the FD and RD, but a pair of matching thumbies for them!
specs...
https://www.disraeligears.co.uk/site..._m735_sgs.html

maddog, I do seethe problem/damage as well.

Wellp, they got me this time. LOL. So take a look. Kind of hard to see in the pic, hanger is wider than the cutout in derailleur.. Looks like the cutout is designed to locate the derailleur to the hanger

something to be cautious with,,, the pulley Seals.
remember how they mount in... lip out... and they can get BRITTLE if exposed to too much sun or harsh chemicals... they are not easy to find, so, even if you find fresher pulleys, SAVE the Seals!
lettering out, concave pulley is the lower pulley, angle side pulley is the top pulley.

that "cutout" is to allow install/removal of the clip.
the der. seats onto the hanger at the clip surface... you're fine.

IF that cutout was some sort of "locator" the b-screw wouldn't do anything.... and, after looking at my M732... that appears to be a different b-screw plate.. ! that may explain the b-plate stop tab not matching up with the boss on the knuckle.... the B-plate on mine is smaller diameter than the knuckle.... by about 1.5mm, all the way around. the black plastic cover i mentioned earlier is Flush with the knuckle dia.

i bet the plate got damaged and someone found a workable replacement that is, obviously, not stock.

madddog, would you possibly have this derailleur mounted? Maybe a pic?

Many Thanks for the details!!

the links provided have all the pics you need.

they are survivor ders... they outlast most of the bikes they're on.
the M735 is nearly identical, except for some adjustability added.

maddog34 and everyone . A serious shout-out of appreciation for the Help!! .....

Finally installed!! Hopefully I can polish off these deep scratches with a Dremel tool. I also managed to to bend over the B plate tab ever so slightly to prevent the tab from causing any additional damage to the alloy housing. Also before threading in the mounting screw I'll coat the male threads with a dab of blue Loctite both as a little added security , also seems to help protect the threads while installing. (These fine threads feel so prone to cross threading).

The slot is just there to give access to the c-clip that holds the mounting bolt in place.

while overhauling be sure to remove the pivot bolt & regrease.have found that removing the B screw & using a small visegrip on the tab helps to hold the plate when removing the C clip.those scratches can be smoothed over with a small folded piece of 320 emery cloth $ water.a black sharpie on the face plate.

When I reassemble the B pivot, after cleaning and lubing, I'll hold the pivot bolt with a 5mm hex wrench clamped in a bench vise, threaded end up.The hex wrench acts as a third hand while one slides the der over the bolt, confirm the both spring ends are seated in their holes, rotate the der so the anti rotation tab is on the correct side of the der body's nub, press the der completely on the bolt and slide the clip into the bolt's groove.

I've serviced many Shimano B pivots (likely a few dozen by now) and the job is quite easy after one gets the little tricks down. Here in the Rust Belt we see stiff/frozen B pivots routinely. Some shops will just replace the der, I prefer to clean and grease the old as a first choice. Andy