Clean, Lube & Repair Shimano Integrated Brake Shifters (Brifters)

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

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[@sobrevida157]

Thanks! I was just about to spend $150 to replace my shifters. Tried your method and BAM! works perfectly again. Thanks for sharing your expertise with us.

[@FGvici]

Its funny that bike shops i went to they told me that they dont service shifters they suggest get new ones but when i tried this my old shifters were like new again👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@jasonburgroff6893]

RJ - perfect video 7 years later. Got my shifter working again!

[@ricric9521]

I restore vintage bikes. Non-shifting STI shifters from the 90s is very common because, as shown here, the old lube has dirt build up and gummed up from many many years. IMPORTANT: Patience is key. Usually doesn't clear up instantly . WD40 is a great degreaser, but takes some time to break down gummed up dirty grease. Shoot tons of WD40 in there and let it sit for 20-30min and if doesn't work shoot more and let sit for day or two and shoot more in there to clean out. Works every time. It is not necessary to use PBblaster or similar which is too strong and can be damaging to some materials (plastics) and surfaces.

[@bicyleman514]

Just finished cleaning both my Dura Ace 10 speed 7800 shifters. Both failed after about 5 years. Used liquid wrench as degreaser, ran under hot water , the. Rinsed with rubbing alcohol to displace water and used compressed air it blow out and let dry. Ran to bike shop, purchased tri- flow and both shifters operating like new. (Did have to disasemble one, and watched your video on this to)Thanks... Great video and tips . Going to buy all new brake and shift cables now...

[@yuppyprolepaste4926]

I have these exact ones and HAD this exact problem with no idea what to do to fix... THANK YOU. Awesome instructional.

[@christiansmyth1466]

Thanks, RJ, for a very clear and useful video. I am about to do this on a friend's bike that shifts very poorly (along with re-cabling the bike and degreasing the derailleurs). This video helps immensely. I am now a subscriber.

[@joshkinnee8815]

Thank you! This helped me unstick my old Shimano 600 shifters! I was able to leave them on the bike as well, which is a big plus. I'm a big fan of your videos.

[@ArtzFenix]

Same here. Old school 600s still work great.

[@woofwoofdoggo]

Thank you! You're the King of bicycles on KZbin!

[@Ucceah]

proper methods, well explained, not too rambly. you're doing it right! i love using motorcycle chain lubricant spray after solvent-cleaning mechanics, and on my bicycle drive train. it's a super runny naphta-like solvent that spreads like crazy over any surface, leaving a very thin and superbly long lasting conserving film of semi dry fat, that runs as smoothly as thin oil. it smells a bit, but who cares, it's cheap and works incredibly well! i use it on anything from mechanical typewriters to creaking doors

[@prat8596]

Thanks for saving me 150 bucks! Was getting ready to buy a new set of sora shifters.

[@electriccircus9793]

Thanks! You saved my shifters (same model as yours)! I followed your advice and they are working again.

[@stardust6773]

Thanks to your tips my ultegra 6700 left shifter seems to be working again!! It's been on the blink for a long time, sometimes working properly, sometimes not (it seemed to work better in summer time, now in winter it was a nightmare). After all this piece of equipment needs some maintenance too. Thanks RJ

[@cmyotte1475]

Just cleaned and lubed my Shimano RSX STI per this video. Got my right shifter working again. Thanks Bike Guy!

[@stephentayles3229]

So happy I found your video. The only thing I did differently was to soak each lever in a jam jar of white spirit instead of the WD40. Brought 2 pairs of levers back to life. Thank you!

[@IanLoughead]

Excellent video, thanks. My shifter just started to act up a few days ago, not shifting down. Some liberal sprayings of WD40 lead to much black gunk running out, and eventually the shifter seemed to loosen right up. So far so good.

[@jetjazz05]

It's amazing the things you can fix with a little patience and some cleaning. :)

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Garrett Oster, this happens on mountain bike trigger shifters as well. It happens on indexed shifters with pawls in them.

[@johnmcclellan5552]

A friend had a cable break on a century ride. I was able to tie off the cable and she got home. The Ultegra shifter mechanism seemed all messed up when i tried to replace the cable and was wishing she had a Campy, which i've rebuilt. I'm sure the gummed up shifters caused the cable to wear out over time. Found your video, got out the WD-40 and 20 minutes later the bike was shifting perfectly. Thanks!

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

That is why I replace cables in many of my videos. Cables wear out.

[@johnmcclellan5552]

@@RJTheBikeGuy Agreed! I read in some cycling newsletter decades ago to buy something, either a tube or cable, whenever you go into your LBS to look at eye candy. Because you will always need a tube or cable.

[@jeeping32810]

DUDE! Loved the theory. I have totally different groupsets, but your theory helped me understand that I need to do what you did to my own shifters. And I bet half the shifting problems go away! #STOKED!

[@notomtom]

Thanks, you kept it simple and I appreciate simple...but you were thorough...and I appreciate thorough !

[@millanza]

Exactly what I needed. The old Giant CFR1 rolls on.

[@Sooperhans3636]

Can't wait to try this with an old pair of Shimano 105's I got on a very dirty Raleigh Technium. They're doing exactly the same thing as this pair was in the beginning.

[@thewidesight]

Hey, thanks very much for that advice. It saved my day. I had exact the same problem with my 20 years old muesing race bike. I thought the shifters are completely broken. With your help they work again!

[@jonathantoews4612]

Thanks for the video. Worked well on my bike! didn't even have to remove from bike itself, just flood with WD40 and keep clicking.

[@jeffandersen6233]

Wish I'd seen before thing some 105 levers we're shot. Found this worked great on my old Shimano LX thumb shifters too. Thanks.

[@roncooke2188]

Your finger will never go rusty good job done

[@tclem44]

Great video! I'm glad someone is showing people how to free up shifters. My experience is that Tri-Flow is an even better penetrant and solvent than WD-40. Try it on an old gummed up bolt or other part and you'll see that Tri-Flow cleans it right up!

[@DarxusC]

I'm researching this stuff for touring, and I was just going to ask if that was an option, to reduce hauled gear. That's great, thanks.

[@gmquiroa]

Thank you, I was having issues shifting with my Ultegra's. This video should help me fix the problem.

[@kawasakikx12593]

glad you are around I got a 98 trek that Ben stored for a long time it was ridden hard before it got stored I'm trying to make it run good again it's going well ! the shifters were similar to those they worked ok but I did this anyways and they work alot better than before!

[@mortenhartvigsen]

That trick worked nicely for shifters that was unused for 12-15 years

[@karlInSanDiego]

You nailed my problem. Now I have to return that replacement cable that I was sure must be the problem. Work like new now. BTW, the LBS quoted $220 for a set of replacement Brifters!!!

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

karlInSanDiego Awesome. Feel free to send me part of the $220 that you saved. LOL

[@alexloh1483]

thankyou for sharing this, ur video safed my bike! I just pump WD40 into my 1980 105STI and shift d levers numerous times and wala.

[@schuylerbos3818]

Hey, thanks for this video. I had these exact shifters and thought they were broken and was looking to buy new shifters. I used my Deep Creep oil after watching and got the old ones working again.

[@ArtzFenix]

FYI everyone tried using WD-40 on the left brifter. Soaked it several times but wasn't getting any movement. Then I tried one solid squirt of PB Blaster and within seconds got all the clicks/trim back. No more cross-chaining so the drive train lasts that much longer.

[@nohandleforme....]

Thanks for the video. I just started using STI shifters, and this info will help me to take care of them.

[@nadja3125]

Thanks! Six years ago, but just what I needed

[@allanwilliams1325]

Great Video, Will really help me with my 600 brifters. Have watched many of your vids, and always been impressed. Keep up the good work

[@viviangirard5075]

Thanks a lot for posting this video; you are a national treasure!

[@SuraiaFattah]

I have a cannondale t400. Bike mechanic just told me to get rid of it because shifters were all gummed up. Can I leave the shifters on the bike and clean it like you did in the video?

[@emilram]

I did the same procedure on my shimano 600 shifters and it worked. I doubt I 'll be using them , they are quiet heavy .

[@jetjazz05]

I've read before that WD-40 can actually gum up over time if it's used as a lubricant. I should buy a can of Tri-Flow, reading about it I think it'd definitely be useful to me. I actually got myself my first tube of Super Lube because I've seen you use it so often, I'll start using that instead of just regular grease when I service my tools.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I have never seen wd-40 gum up.

[@jetjazz05]

shyflirt1 I haven't either, but I try to avoid it if I can anyways since it's not technically a lubricant. That's why I'd like to get the Tri-Flow, for times when I need an aerosol spray to lubricate something I can't take apart easily.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Jesse Crandle I often use WD-40, but more like I used it here.

[@hjacobsen9306]

WD-40 itself doesn't gum up but if you miss use it to say "lubricate" your chain it actually attracts dirt which can then gum things up;-)

[@skurrio4027]

rj you are the best! thank you so much for your content you helped me out many times

[@antoniobenavides2127]

Will WD40 react to the plastic parts inside the STI or just the rubber?

[@michaelangelos5117]

Damn, bro. I was always told that you just have to buy new ones. I got a couple I can fix right up. Thanks

[@guidocaparra425]

Muchas gracias. Me sirvió para reparar mis Shimano 600.

[@pettifogger20850]

Great video and very helpful. I have found using a hot hairdryer melts the gunk inside and the shifter begins to work. Usually I will follow up with tri flow after the hairdryer.

[@hjacobsen9306]

Plastic parts inside could potentially be damaged with the heat. Use caution

[@benspeeder]

Nice - going to try that on my Shimano 105 shifters

[@axeldeker1260]

Thk U very much, you save my 6400 STI today

[@tonypower8364]

Hi love your videos. I have a right hand Dura Ace 7700 with an issue. When I move the small lever it drags the large leaver across slightly and it doesn't shift. If i hold the large leaver in place the small leaver will work . I've tried the wd40 to no avail, any suggestions would be appreciated

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Sorry, I can't tell you. Could be broken.

[@204514602]

Great video! I'm got two Shimano rsx brifters working (when I got them, they weren't shifting at all). The one however shifts 2-3 gears at one time (just the one way). Any ideas why??

[@204514602]

So it changes 3 gears at once with a full swipe of the shifter. You can swipe the shifter less and I can make it only change 1 gear. But if I push the shifter further, it changes a 2nd and even further it changes a 3rd gear. So one full swipe = 3 gear changes. Any ideas why?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

+itsjustnothappening Some shifters are designed to do that for faster changes.

[@9scrummy9]

Great video, quick fix for my shifters

[@sadygambarazi6951]

obrigado me ajudou muito meu sti 600 e rsx100 estão funcionando de novo

[@petergledhill8994]

Hi, got these shifters. RH will shift up full 7 clicks smoothly, but is rough shifting down. What could that be? Cheers

[@jogman7876]

Will something like pb blaster silicone based spray lube work?

[@KeesFluitman]

could I also soak them in paint thinner followed by the air compressor and some chain lubricant? (just thinking out load with the things i have at my disposal)

[@williamssesti5477]

hello could you make a video disassemble it and assemble it again it¨s the same shifters on the front derailleur side, thanks

[@ryanshuck6940]

Thanks for posting this. Just help my buddy buy a Trek 2300, great bike BUT, the Shifters don't click. So I hope this fix the problem. The cables and chain are gummed up with White Lightning so hoping this will fix the shifting problem. Bike bike is older and has been sitting in a garage for years it sounded like from the owner. Crossing my fingers.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I am guessing a good clean and lube with work wonders. You will probably want to replace the cables/housings. Cables don't need to be lubed since they adding the plastic lining. The lube with actually cause problems.

[@giantan7796]

Hi RJ, wonderful video. Was wondering though if this method can be done on more recent versions of Shimano STIs, like say, 5700, 5800 models. Thanks!

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

+Gian Tan Yeah. Though some of the newer shifters I have seen haven't been gunked up, but actually broken. Especially the 5600s (left shifter).

[@giantan7796]

+RJ The Bike Guy Thank you for the prompt reply. I will surely do this maybe once a year. Re: broken shifters, being less durable seem to be the new standard for most recent component now. I use a Miyata Alfrex Alu as my beater bike and its Biopace crank with a squared tapered BB seems to spin better than the BB30 on my Caad10, despite the former having no maintenance at all.

[@christopher5087]

Thanks! Exactly what I was looking for!

[@garrettoster7513]

Is this a common problem on road bike shifters? I just got my first road bike, I've had plenty of mountain bikes and never had shifter problems

[@DeepakKumar-lv4te]

HI RJ, just to say this didn't work for my Ultegra (6800) shifter. It seems that while I got the clicking working again, it doesn't seem to affect the rear derailleur cable tension. Can you suggest a further step to check that the gear cable is being properly effected please? Love your vids btw. cheers & peace.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nailgquej81-pKc

[@hjacobsen9306]

Mmhh hhmm had the same exact thought when I saw the video. If you are someone who does this regularly I recommend actually getting thicker chemical gloves from the hardware store. Both sprays are very toxic and will be absorbed readily through the skin & into your system regardless of any cuts.

[@gardnercalibuso]

Wow! Thanks for teaching us noobs 🙏🙏🙏

[@WalkingMichael]

Please wear latex or neoprene gloves when handling wd-40, lubricants, and rubbing alcohol. All of these will have some kind of penetration into your skin and blood stream. Even if it is a trace, but especially if you have a cut or scrape.

[@magdisssssss]

Thank You very much, great and helpful video!! I had exactly the same problem and resolved with your help :-) !

[@paulgomez3815]

You are the man! Any chance you use these on a Kestrel 200 sci? cheers.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Paul Gomez I have never owned a Kestrel...yet.

[@akisan9]

Cool, I didn't know it could be such an easy fix. Now I understand why people don't recommend WD-40 as chain lube.

[@BlackFreenky]

Thank you! Awesome help!

[@RjRocker80]

Would you recommend any further grease after the tri flow? I'm seeing some other people using Buzzy's Slick Honey after a few shots of spray lube. I think that is what my bike came with. After 20 years it was like wax. I would prefer to save money and just use tri flow. The slick honey is on the expensive side. Thanks RJ! ~RJ

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I just use the TriFlow.

[@seanbediako08]

I can't get the damn cable out! I tried WD-40 to get the gear catching which help them back to life, great. But this cable is still stuck. Using STI RX100 right shifter. Any tips apart from disassemble??? THX

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I am assuming it's a brifter like in the video. The cable needs to be lined up with the exit hole to come out. To line up the hole, press the small lever repeatedly. The cable should push out through the hole. If the shifter isn't shifting, follow this video. If the cable is lined with the hole and not coming out, you may need to spin it a little and push it. If the cable head is stuck, push it from the back side with a fine point dental tool.

[@LeoInterHyenaem]

Please, do a video instructional on how to repair current iteration Ultegra shifters (R8020) that don't engage the gearwheel when shifting, because the pawl that is supposed to catch the notches on the gearwheel, is loose. I don't see how it can be tightened.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

*shrug* this method works on most shifters with pawls.

[@alisdairpert1074]

Hi there. Thanks for video. Do u know if this would work on ultegra 6700 shifters too?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Should work on most mechanical STI shifters unless they are physically broken

[@gardnercalibuso]

Shifting is not the problem on my 7801 Dura Ace, the brake lever don't go back...thanks for your help

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

The spring in the brake pulls the cable that pulls the lever back. So isolate the issue. Brake, or cable/housing, or lever.

[@gardnercalibuso]

@@RJTheBikeGuy thank you

[@gardnercalibuso]

@@RJTheBikeGuy I found the issue, small part of the return spring broke.... Did some DIY and road bike going nice again..

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

@@gardnercalibuso On the brake?

[@chrisantoskow1360]

Thanks a million...!!! I just had my shifters malfunction...

[@weedfoxs]

extremely helpful!

[@robotennis61]

awesome!

[@ianfortuna6099]

Hey, I'm from Brazil and we don't have triflow lubricants over here. Do you know if spray grease is a good option besides triflow?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Find out what your local bike shops use.

[@ianfortuna6099]

RJ The Bike Guy ok, thanks for the advice ;)

[@williamssesti5477]

hola porque no haces un video desarmar y armar ese mismo shifter

[@GRaVeL_aNd_TRaiL]

if in any case this rubber hood was in bad shape like cracked or just incomplete, is there any replacement for it?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Maybe. Check ebay/amazon.

[@bicyleman514]

After cleaning, will white lithium spray lube work?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

+Bicyle Man I think there is potential that it can damage plastic parts in there. Most shops seem to use TriFlow, so that is what I use.

[@tibiolah]

And if I used 2 big cans of WD-40 and it still doesn't click? New shifters or should I try some more?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

They could be broken then. Depending on the shifters, you might be able to open them up and manually move the pawls while spraying.

[@nobodysbusinessnowinnit3272]

Thanks RJ, will try this on my st 5500. P.s any chance that you would know where to get new hoods for st 5500? absolutely impossible to get them anywhere. Thanks!

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

+Tomas Pasvenskas Maybe ebay.

[@nobodysbusinessnowinnit3272]

What a fast response, Tried all of the known sites, even searching japanese sites with the part number, but nothing unfortunately. There seems to be quit a few people hunting. Maybe you know some "secret" source? They fit ST 5500/1 and 6500/1. Thanks for your vids, rebuilding my first bike now, just fixed my STI shifters with degreasing.They were sorta working, but never made the proper mechanical sound:) After that comes the front derailer, changing all the cables, but I am backed up by your videos for all of that. Cheers!

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

No, no secret source. Just keep watching ebay and see if some show up.

[@bicyleman514]

I think 105 & 6500 Hoods will fit the 5500.... don't know for sure, but maybe someone at Shimano can confirm... just a thought

[@nobodysbusinessnowinnit3272]

Hey, 105 is the overall group "family name" 6500/01/R600 also fit, but that does not make it easier to find unfortunately.

[@murmamirrmohaimen2271]

would finish line chain lube or multipurpose grease work?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

+murmamirr mohaimen Finish Line chain lube might work. The multi purpose grease probably not a good idea.

[@AllesFahrrad]

Great advice, thank's a lot! keep up the good work! :-)

[@kennethhowell5291]

Thank you! The front shift works perfectly now!

[@HappyHusbandnWife]

Thanks for the informative vid, i have a different shifter and cant find a vid anywhere :(

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

KM Ly This works on most types of indexed shifters that have pawls in them (unless the shifter is physically broken)

[@HappyHusbandnWife]

Hmm good hint, my shimano look very similar to that, the ting is slightly open and i can get it to close tight again....

[@NoFear4XJs]

I`m under the impression lithium spray grease is best since it dries and bonds as where the tri flow spray is more sticky ????

[@NoFear4XJs]

NoFear4XJs A friend suggested a dry spray lube, I went to my locate auto parts store and bought some Dry Graphite spray. Dry Graphite spray: Dries fast. None sticky. Lubricates multiple surfaces : plastic, rubber, wood, metals... Cheers

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

NoFear4XJs I recommend Tri Flow as that is what many bike shops use.

[@Stoffendous]

"Itll slide right on HNNNNNGHHHHHHH"

[@adriancastaneda9969]

Hey there, do you have a pair of this to sell? I've been looking for a pair to install in my old road bicycle but those are pretty expensive everywhere

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

No, but keep en eye out on ebay. Sometimes you can find a pair of non-working shifters for cheaper, and all they need is cleaned and lubed. Or...they may actually be broken...

[@hardToSignUpHere]

Is there an alternative to WD40 that is more specific to the task? Because this product sounds like a bit like a 'Jack of all trades' to me.

[@jimminniehan2548]

Thank you. I took my bike to the shop and they told me I needed to buy new shift levers. I'll do this instead.

[@nirniro1]

Thanks you save me

[@soundautomatic1]

Pb blaster works even faster, if you happen to already have some

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I have it and other stuff. I just want to dissolve the grease and not hurt the plastics. WD-40 works well enough.

[@Normalhowaboutyou]

very cool thanks. I've been racing around an a Dahon Matrix and finally added a road bike with Shimano 600 all around. This really helps. I'll send you one million in cash. Small bills ok? - JOKE

[@Bryrup88]

I have tried to use this method on a shimano rx 100 shifter that didn't Work properly. Now it sheem like it is shifter up 2 gears instead of one. Do you know how i can fix this problem?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Flush it out more. There is a pawl that helps limit how much it goes up. But I think some STI shifters allow you to shift up two at a time depending on how far you push it.

[@BeauIXI]

shyflirt1 Actually, my Dura Ace 7400's shift three at a time. It might be the case that the pawl has broken, depending upon whether the shifter shifts up or down too much..

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Might still be stuck pawls. There are multiple pawls in there. Pawls that shift it up, and pawls that limit how far it shifts.

[@BeauIXI]

shyflirt1 True. I rebuilt mine and needed a new pawl, but after that experience, I'd agree with your philosophy: always best to use a can of degreaser and lubricant cleaning it out rather than attempt a rebuild. Not worth the tears or the callouses.

[@Rome.]

So don't replace the old grease with new grease just use a very light lube?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Yep.

[@Rome.]

@@RJTheBikeGuy cheers ;)

[@berthuitsing8875]

super

[@annasoucek416]

Interesting

[@ElMartillo666]

How can I install the cables in the shifter!!!!????

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

It's different for different shifters. I don't know what kind of shifters you have.