Replacing rear derailleur cable on Shimano Sora ST-3400
 

Hi,

I have a Jamis Ventura Comp 650c and it badly needs a new rear derailleur cable. I've changed shifter cables on other bikes so I know the basic concept(s), but never on this bike. I've unthreaded the cable up to the shift levers on the handlebar, but I can't figure out how to get the cable out of the box. Will probably need advice on how to insert the new one as well. Fairly sure the shift levers are Shimano Sora ST-3400. Here's a picture: http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=294207

Will be grateful to anyone who can help! Thanks and happy Friday :)

The typical method for STI is to first shift the lever into the high gear position (for the rear lever, for the front it would be the low gear. Either way it's the position that the lever goes to after clicking the release lever all the way). Then the spool inside the lever that holds the cable end should be lined up with the port on the outside of the lever. Then simply push the cable so that the end comes out this port. Sometimes the cable has a little bit of bend in it and a slight twist of the cable will help align the end with the port. Install is the reverse, thread the cable through the port and through the spool's cable head hole. The cable should exit the lever through the casing snout. Andy.

I did that, but the ball at the end of the cable seems to be stuck under something and I can't seem to set it free, no matter how much I wiggle it.

You may be able to tease the cable end out by using a pointed object like a dental pick to guide the ball toward the port as you push and wiggle it. Rotating the wire might also help.

Just be glad that you didn't have the cable itself break inside the shifter. This is often a disaster to fix and is a good reason to inspect your cables frequently for fraying and wear.

It is possible that the cable has begun to fray. STI levers (with the exposed gear cables/origonal style) have this possibility. If so the fraying is inside the lever only a few MMs from the end. The broken strands can cause jamming of the cable.

Or the end did come out of the spool but then the cable was pulled and the end got jammed between the spool and the inside of the lever case.

Either way more "working" at the cable and end is the course. If you can see into the lever and spot the end you might be able to discern what's the problem. Compare to the left side maybe. Andy.

Thanks! Will work on it more tomorrow.