John Damm

I have a Campy Nuovo Record derailleur and am wanting to take the upper pivot bolt out to place in another (better condition) Nuovo Record derailleur. My problem is the upper pivot bolt won't come out (part 166/A). It spins freely but appears to be pressed in or something. I was hesitant to try and hammer it out if it was not intended to come out. I've seen numerous adds for the bolt as a separate piece on ebay so I'm assuming it is interchangeable. Does anyone have insight into this issue.

Thanks,

John Damm

noobinsf 

Pictures are always helpful. I have a 1972 NR rear derailleur that’s unmounted, and I have to use a twist tie to keep the mounting bolt with the unit and make sure it doesn’t get lost. In other words, it floats freely until fastened to the frame. Maybe later ones are different, dunno — I have little first hand experience with Campy.

Spaghetti Legs 

It’s OK to tap it out.

John Damm

Thanks. I'll give it a try. Should it normally just pull out? or is it normal for it to need to be hammered out? Thanks for the replies.

qcpmsame 

@John Damm Stand by one please, we just had a discussion about this a few weeks back. The spring for the two plates (called arms) on some model years, has its pin on the end of the spring that extends into the upper body . Look at this carefully and see if the srms' spring is pinned into the upper body, (that the pivot bolt goes through.) I could well be incorrect, but it is worth checking out first. @Spaghetti Legs, sorry for the interruption, it hit while reading this, the we had just gone over this recently.

Looking at the Campagnolo catalog, part No. 98/A is the spring, and the top upper body is 805/A. @Drillium Dude let someone know that this pin could extend into the upper body and hold the upper pivot bolt (166/A) in place

Bill

Spaghetti Legs 

OK - I based my response on I’ve had one that binds some going in and out but it pivots freely once seated.

John Damm

I think that's it. Looking at the parts diagram that makes perfect sense that the spring is pushing into the notch in the shaft and locking it in place. I'll try working with this information and let you know what happens. Thanks so much vintage bikers.

Otis

I have had them stuck from the galling of the body creating a little ledge that's enough to hold the bolt in place (but turn freely). And it would need to be knocked out with a drift. Then you want to make sure to de-burr the hole before putting a new one in.

I have never heard of the main spring stop going far enough in to contact the bolt, but that does make sense that it could. I guess I would try to remove that spring first and see if the bolt comes right out. At least eliminate the possibility, as you would not want to be hammering it out against that spring stop!

Normal conditions that bolt should slide in and out with ease. It should fall out really once RD is off the bike.

qcpmsame 

Some of the later model year derailleurs had the hole drilled completely through the upper body and into the wall of the upper body where the upper pivot bolt goes through. If I could find the thread where it was pointed out I would post a link, seems that I am poor at search skills here. Most will simply push out, just a few had the hole completely through the upper body and the longer keeper on the spring.

All of the ones I have owned had the loose upper pivot and no hole drilled through, IIRC, DD posted a detailed description with some pictures of how he had to get the spring keeper out enough to pull out the upper pivot bolt. I'd hate it of someone ruined a nice NR rear derailleur because I let it slide. No offense intended to anyone, just being my normally overcautious self I guess.

Bill

T-Mar

Campagnolo Super Record rear derailleur

Drillium Dude 

I'd never heard of this problem until it actually happened to me. I bought a Pat. 78 Super Record RD with the rare alloy pivot bolts - and the top one wouldn't come out of the upper pivot body. I was about to use a drift, but hesitated - the derailleur was NOS, so...

I realized it was moving out about maybe 1/4" but no more. I knew about where the little hole for the spring base was and figured it was probably contacting the rear flange of the upper pivot bolt. I removed the spring from the body and the bolt dropped right out

While the other issue you pointed out could also be the problem, the OP should try removing the spring to just to be sure. There's just not too many ways that upper bolt can be stuck!

DD

John Damm

Thanks for all the suggestions. I did pull the spring out and the bolt still would not come out. Doesn't even budge but spins freely. Sounds like now I'm at the point of having to knock it out with a drift as suggested while the pin is out. I'll let you know what comes about when I finally get it out (if I do).

qcpmsame 

Just try to support the upper body as well as you can. Best of luck with this project.

Bill

SJX426 

@John Damm - Pics would be really useful.

I need two and can't get past the $40+/each prices on 'bay. Less money to buy a complete RD but don't need all the other parts!

Drillium Dude 

I have a spare or two - can't remember if steel or Ti. Hit me up in a PM with what you're looking for and I'll let you know. That way you won't have to even think of spending 40 bones on a bolt!

DD

jimmuller 

There was a guy on eBay in Europe somewhere (I don't recall where) selling machined replacement bolts at a decent price. They don't say Campagnolo but otherwise are very nice. He had steel and aluminum alloy. I have one. I can probably dig up a link if anyone is interested.

Drillium Dude 

I'd be interested. It's always nice to have alloy hot-rod parts on hand

DD

jimmuller 

If I read the details correctly it was entry # 272483852303 and the vendor was opti_softlens. My purchase date was Nov 3, 2017 so he may not have any left by now.