Paniolo

I've got the Dura Ace bar end shifters on my CX bike. I'm trying to replace the shift cable for the rear D. I cannot get the crimped stop end out of the shifter. It has been ridden in the elements and there is corrosion/gunk on the shift lever. Despite cleaning and dousing with penetrating oil the crimped end will not budge out of the shifter. My next step was to try and drill a hole down the middle of the crimp.

Any other suggestions before I take a drill to my shifter? Help, I want to ride tomorrow!

juicemouse

Clamp a set of vise grips on the cable just below the shifter on the side that the cable comes out of and then give the vise grips a solid whack with a hammer. B'laster PB (available at your local hardware shop) is the nuts for unsticking seized parts.

juicemouse

Another idea is to cut the cable short and put a 90° bend in it. Then clamp a regular pair of pliers across the bend and use them to twist the cable to try unseizing it.

Paniolo

Thanks for the suggestions ... The cable is already cut off an inch or so below the shifter and I tried twisting it, but all it did was shear off about 1/2 the wire strands and not budge the crimp. PB Blaster is the spray I already used (it IS the best).

I'll try soaking some more PB Blaster in it and the vice grips ... though it's pulling the wrong way, it may break it loose.

I was thinking more about my drill method ... I think I'll try drilling a small hole and use an ez out (for backing out sheared bolts) to see if I can break it loose.

Any other thoughts?

DocRay

Yes,

Put the entire shifter in the freezer for an hour, they try to release the stuck part. If that doesn't work, dip the whole thing in warm water and try again. Af ew freeze/warm cycles may be necessary.

Paniolo

Thanks DocRay! A few freeze/warm cycles did the trick.

Of course a little bike work led to more ... chain was at .75 so replaced that, then noticed the front brakes needed some adjustment which then led to truing the front wheel

DocRay

well, my job is done here...

Jupestar

15 years later and this thread is still very useful!!!