STI Downshifts Unreliably

In article <3F93292A.6000502@removethis_bell-labs.com>, G Huang

gang@removethis_bell-labs.com said:

Problem: The left STI shifter does not always release the cable when I push in the small lever. It
requires several tries before it can click. It's a 105 double with the matching 8sp right lever. Is
this a indication of something worn out or it just requires flush and lube?

I thought I should ask before I start to taking things apart.

Usually liberal application of WD-40 and then operating the shifter 100 times with cable removed
will improve it if it's gummy. Repeat again the next day if necessary. In the most extreme case you
can take the lever off, take the hood off, and soak it in gasoline. Lube it later if it comes back
to life. Taking the lever apart is mostly a waste of time. You can't obtain parts for anything
inside the pod without gravedigging.

--Paul

again the next day if necessary. In the most extreme case you can

Quoted message said:

take the lever off, take the hood off, and soak it in gasoline.

Is there no plastic in the shifter at all??? No wonder they're so expensive...

--
Phil, Squid-in-Training

In article <[email hidden]>, Phil, Squid-in-Training

Quoted message said:

again the next day if necessary. In the most extreme case you can

Quoted message said:

take the lever off, take the hood off, and soak it in gasoline.

Is there no plastic in the shifter at all??? No wonder they're so expensive...

It apparently doesn't hurt it - but like I said that is last resort before it goes in the trash,
after you've already soaked the hell out of it with WD-40 a couple days in a row and worked the
action a zillion times. There are probably kinder solvents one could use, but citrus degreaser isn't
good enough in my experience.

Paul Southworth said:

Usually liberal application of WD-40 and then operating the shifter 100 times with cable removed
will improve it if it's gummy. Repeat again the next day if necessary. In the most extreme case
you can take the lever off, take the hood off, and soak it in gasoline. Lube it later if it comes
back to life. Taking the lever apart is mostly a waste of time. You can't obtain parts for
anything inside the pod without gravedigging.

Thanks. I will try the WD40 first. I wasn't thinking of replacing any parts but thought it might be
easier to spray and clean if I take the front piece off.

G Huang <gang@removethis_bell-labs.com> wrote in message
news:<3F93292A.6000502@removethis_bell-labs.com>...

Quoted message said:

Problem: The left STI shifter does not always release the cable when I push in the small lever. It
requires several tries before it can click. It's a 105 double with the matching 8sp right lever.
Is this a indication of something worn out or it just requires flush and lube?

I thought I should ask before I start to taking things apart.
---------------

DONT take the lever apart.... it has lots of pring-loaded guts that are just about impossible to
re-assemble. You SHOULD check your cables and lube or replace cable/housings.

d

"G. Huang" <gang@removethis_bell-labs.com> wrote in message
news:<3F941C77.1060701@removethis_bell-labs.com>...

Quoted message said:

Paul Southworth said:

Usually liberal application of WD-40 and then operating the shifter 100 times with cable removed
will improve it if it's gummy. Repeat again the next day if necessary. In the most extreme case
you can take the lever off, take the hood off, and soak it in gasoline. Lube it later if it
comes back to life. Taking the lever apart is mostly a waste of time. You can't obtain parts for
anything inside the pod without gravedigging.

Thanks. I will try the WD40 first. I wasn't thinking of replacing any parts but thought it might
be easier to spray and clean if I take the front piece off.

Here's some instructions on spraying your levers:

chainreaction.comnoisystilevers.htmOpen ↗

Some "repair" instructions:

Bill Cotton's STI repair: billcotton.comsti shifter repair.htmOpen ↗

Steve Alkire's 105/8spd disassembly/assembly
cyclingforum.comSTIdisDetail.docOpen ↗

Be careful and good luck....

[email hidden] (dan baker) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

G Huang <gang@removethis_bell-labs.com> wrote in message
news:<3F93292A.6000502@removethis_bell-labs.com>...

Quoted message said:

Problem: The left STI shifter does not always release the cable when I push in the small lever.
It requires several tries before it can click. It's a 105 double with the matching 8sp right
lever. Is this a indication of something worn out or it just requires flush and lube?

I thought I should ask before I start to taking things apart.
---------------

DONT take the lever apart.... it has lots of pring-loaded guts that are just about impossible to
re-assemble. You SHOULD check your cables and lube or replace cable/housings.

billcotton.comsti shifter repair.htmOpen ↗ My homepage says just for fun, the new fun thing is
a video of our independence pedaling tandem. billcotton.comtandemb.htmOpen ↗

Clean the cable guide on the bottom bracket. Sports drinks and such can gumm the cable up there.

Mark

Paul Southworth said:

In article <[email hidden]>, Phil, Squid-in-Training

Quoted message said:

again the next day if necessary. In the most extreme case you can

Quoted message said:

take the lever off, take the hood off, and soak it in gasoline.

Is there no plastic in the shifter at all??? No wonder they're so expensive...

It apparently doesn't hurt it - but like I said that is last resort before it goes in the trash,
after you've already soaked the hell out of it with WD-40 a couple days in a row and worked the
action a zillion times. There are probably kinder solvents one could use, but citrus degreaser
isn't good enough in my experience.

--
Mark Wolfe wolfenet.orgwolfenet.orgOpen ↗ gpg fingerprint = 42B6 EFEB 5414 AA18 01B7 64AC EF46 F7E6 82F6
8C71 A 32-bit patch for a 16-bit GUI shell running on top of an 8-bit operating system written for a
4-bit processor by a 2-bit company who cannot stand 1 bit of competition. -Rev. Pee Kitty, on
Windows 95

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

DONT take the lever apart.... it has lots of pring-loaded guts that are just about impossible to
re-assemble. You SHOULD check your cables and lube or replace cable/housings.

billcotton.comsti shifter repair.htmOpen ↗ My homepage says just for fun, the new fun thing
is a video of our independence pedaling tandem. billcotton.comtandemb.htmOpen ↗

Over 2700 hits on the repair web page, billcotton.comsti shifter repair.htmOpen ↗ As the STI
ages maybe we could mass numbers enough to get a production run of the spring, since the spring
isn't available. Previously I requested email for more information, I have since posted full
instructions on the page. By all means do the flush thing and check for cable binding ect. After
that and you are up to the task. Consider the repair that I was able to do. All of the parts must be
replaced in the reverse order of removal. A clamp is made from a hacksaw blade, bent as a open box,
to hold the spring while assembling the unit. The arms are partly assembled and a loop turner,
purchase from a sewing and fabric store is used to pull the spring tail into the hole.