Overhauling Derailleur Innards
 

I've got a rear derailleur here that I want to clean up pretty well. I took the anodization off and buffed it up all pretty, and now I want to make sure that the internals are still OK. There are a couple pivots plus the paralellagram part (this is an abnormal design... Suntour LePree (think suntour cyclone mkII)), and I opened one of the pivot parts up a little with an allen wrench and inside was a wound up coil. I'm thinking if I shoot something in there to clean it up I could then use some oil in there to smooth things up. Is there anything in particular I can shoot in there? Where should I be focusing on when I'm cleaning and adding oil?

Clean it easily with any pressure spray product like brake kleen, lube the pivot points with light oil.

When you're cleaning you should focus on the dirt (:rolleyes: ); when you're adding oil do so (sparingly) to moving parts where they connect.

I'm a little concerned over the smut that is the residue from removing the anodization, so I want to make sure I don't damage the inner working parts over my desire to have bling blang shiny bike parts.

Pressurized spray, eh? Is brake kleen some kind of degreaser?

It'll dissolve anything not metallic in nature.

I think I've seen Brake Kleen in Advance Auto Parts and if it what I think it is, it will destroy everything but the metal. I think it is used to clean disc brakes on cars.

Cars: It is safe to spray on brake pads and shoes, and it leaves no residue so it won't hurt your braking, so it won't destroy everything.

The brand I've been using is Pyroil. Ingredients: Xylene, Methyl Alcohol, Acetone, Heptane, Carbon Dioxide. Mixture of quick drying ingredients.

Description of Use: Removes brake fluid, oil, grease and brake dust instantly
Use directly on pads, linings, and other friction parts......

You might also want to try a water based solvent like Simple Green, and or soaking the der in a bucket of soapy warm water.

I have run mine in the dishwasher with great success. Just be sure to lube everywhere that needs it really good when done. I did take off the cage and clean the pulleys by hand (no bearings in the dishwasher! Also worked well on the FD and brakes.