Fix Bike Rear Derailleur That Won't Shift Into Highest Gear/Small Cog

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

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[@romanmentor9238]

Can one disassemble rear derailleur to clean and grease? Are there bearings inside pulley jockey wheels?

[@Jouco]

Watching this on the couch with a cup of coffee.. now it's time to head on down to the garage and tackle the problem, Thanks a lot!

[@daskrahennest2856]

yes

[@madgav935]

Fr

[@Ali-Rida]

After a lot of research on YT to fix my bike's rear derailleur shifting issue I finally found the issue and solution! Couldn't find a YT video on this matter! I explain it below: 1) The most common type of housing has an inner thin wires tube and an outer plastic covering tube. Apparently after a while because of pressure the outer plastic tube jams and the inner tube wires are exposed that can get crushed by pressure on ferrels! This causes a serious metal-metal fraction between the cable and thin wires of housing, worse than any dirt or rust can do! 2) Loosen the shifter cable and release the cable at the derailleur (watch YT guides) and through all housings to free all housing parts. 3) You have to cleanly cut the exposed thin wires of housing to align it with plastic cover tube. Be careful not to block inner empty hole (where the cable passes) by crushing the wires. You need a sharp wire cutter (or a specialized tool from bike shop!) Then clean up both ends of housing and lube a bit. 4) Insert the cable in all housing parts and through the derailleur cable clamp. Since you lost some housing length, to have the same tension on the cable at a particular gear you need to pull the cable out of derailleur cable clamp a bit compared to what it was before. This needs to be fine tuned to have perfect correspondence between shifter and derailleur for all gear range (watch YT guides). Hope it helps someone.

[@OjStudios]

This was just the issue today with one MTB. Whole derailleur was bent so I just bent it straight. Worked like a charm after that. Thanks for informative and clear videos!

[@abosworth]

Thank you for this video! My rear derailleur was simply gunked up! Spraying it out and lubing solved it. I had been fiddling with the high limit screw and cable tension. I could tell that the spring wasn't able to push it to the final position bit my thought was that I needed a new spring. I didn't even think of simply lubing the joints in the derailleur. Sometimes, the simplest solution is the answer. Thanks so much for the video!

[@davogladwin]

Legend, was stuck after putting in a new gear cable in a Trek Domane 5.9, and even the limit screws had all lined up. Even with no cable screwed in, the chain would not drop to the smallest cog. After just releasing the limit screws (even though they lined up ok) the spring in the derailleur allowed the chain to drop again, and, all 11 gears came back! Slight adjustment on the H/L screws and an index and shazaam. Thanks mate.

[@TheFlyingScotsman777]

LEGEND ! I watched 3 or 4 of these type videos which went over my head. Followed this, and I have all my gears back. It was the limiting screws that seemed to do the trick ! Cheers

[@Apexiar]

I never comment on videos, but oh my goodness was this video a lifesaver... a combination of tip 1 & 2 immediately fixed my issue. After reindexing my gears my bike has never shifted so smoothly and consistently. Thank you!!!

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Glad it helped!

[@MikeBear1231]

My bike fell over the other day, and messed up something in the derailleur. It was "hunting" between several higher gears. After watching this, I went out and checked it, and noticed that the single set screw that presses against the frame of the bike had jumped under the little stub somehow. I unscrewed the large hanger mounting screw almost all the way out. I then spun the internal part of the derailleur, to get the screw back on the frame stub. Then while holding that with one hand against the spring tension, I screwed the mounting screw back in all the way. Now it all looks ok, and properly shifts and indexes between the gears up and down! Thanks!

[@lekobiashvili945]

Here are two more hints from my experience: 1. Once a customer came to me with the washer on the cable clamping bolt turned 180-degree. The anti-rotation protrusion of the washer was touching the derailleur body on the next to the last gear, and so the derailleur couldn't get to the highest gear. 2. This one is about certain specific combinations of frame / hub / derailleur. A friend had an old steel road frame (126mm spacing) with applicable hub (don't remember model) and a 9-speed MTB derailleur (XTR RD-M952). All working well, except lazy shifting to the highest gear only. After checking all and all, I realized that the last cog is right on the edge of the derailleur range of possible movement. This 9-speed mech was expecting the whole cogset to be positioned a bit more to the right (closer to the dropout). Additional factor was the steel hanger which is a bit thinner than an alloy one. Simple solution - add a washer to space out the derailleur. Just 1mm might be enough. Cheers!

[@heydrrob]

Great video! Thank you. Straight to the point to fix the EXACT issue I was having! 🙌🏻🙏

[@ducksnack4119]

Helped me so much thanks

[@MrMorvar]

After 9 years this was still helpful :) Thank you!

[@William_fal08]

thank you for the help, honestly the most helpful tutorial i’ve ever watched on youtube 👍

[@ianmachin5945]

Thanks for the video, easy fix to a problem that has been bugging me for weeks, and as usual, not difficult to remedy. Gear change works perfectly now.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Glad it helped

[@NexaYa]

Thanks! I could shift to highest gear when bike is on bike stand but not when i cycle regularly outside. Fixed issue by unscrewing H limiting screw a little bit as you mentioned in the video. Great tips, keep up the good work!

[@fbombtehgr3at]

Finally... My problem was fixed by the WD40 + wet lube. Thanks for the great video, The RJ Bike Guy!

[@joecenturion]

Same here !!

[@conorjmoran]

I had same problem. Even though there was no tension in the cable when I shifted to smallest cog, the cable itself was a old and a little rusty. Tried everything here. I noticed that if I helped the cable back through the last housing (nearest the derailleur) it then shifted to the small cog. What solved it for me was oiling all the cable housings and channels that the cable slides through. Think it was probably not travelling freely near the derailleur end. Works like a dream now, perfick! Probably a good idea to oil all grooves and housings when you replace a derailleur. Thanks for the vid.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

You should probably replace the cables and housings then.

[@samson2143]

You fixed my issue! Thank you! HL screw was 2 full revolutions off , backed it out and good to go 😊

[@Pachoslavus]

I keep coming back to this video :) thank you RJ

[@teacfan1080]

Had the same problem! Turned out to be a bent derailleur. Did a little straightening, readjust the cable and now I've got 8th gear back! Thanks for the tips!

[@liutang]

You have a video for every conceivable issue that I may encounter in my bike repair and maintenance journey.

[@joecenturion]

i had been adjusting the hi limit screw, b-screw, and cable tension for hours and hours with no luck....your wd-40 suggestion fixed it. Thanks.

[@thisisbob1001]

I think you have best bike mech vids on youtube

[@RussellHonnor]

Fantastic video. Very clear and analytical. Just what I needed Thanks RJ !!!

[@jeremiahvillareal4834]

damn bro this is very helpful i tried to search some videos on yt and i wont find any till i found your video men you are a lifesaver

[@BikesandGuitars]

Thanks for this video. I just fixed my gravel bike shifting with your help.

[@bobshitgazillion3612]

Thanks dude now i save money because of this video

[@glimpsedmedia]

Nice. Got my problem fixed after watching 5 different videos.the Bike mechanic here in the area cant properly tune my rd. Thanks alot

[@NigelHeath-gi7xg]

Fixed, thanks. Loosened H screw in increments of a quarter turn and tested again. Three quarter turns fixed it.

[@steve.o33]

Ive always replaced my derailleur after so many miles cause this happens, but now parts are getting so expensive, I cant just throw $300 to a new derailleur. This helped alot, thank you.

[@felixbennhagen9455]

Great tips! Hopefully this helps me clear up my shifting problems!

[@SMB_gg]

Thanks for the great tutorial. Tried everything and it finally started working after I WD40'd the spring. Thanks a bunch!

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

SombreroLDN WD-40 is not a good long term lubricant. I would get some chain oil on the spring to keep it lubricated.

[@SMB_gg]

RJ The Bike Guy Thanks. I only used the WD-40 to clean it out. compressed air cleaned it and then applied chain oil. Thanks again.

[@petermilenkovic3058]

Legend mate, twice you have been spot on with my shifting problems thanks heaps!

[@calebcohen1355]

Many thanks! Spring was gummed up, some WD-40 and compressed air and working it out and all is, finally, well again! Will be nice to have top gear back finally! Many thanks. Next ride, to get proper chain lube as you state WD-40 is not long term good for the chain and derailer assembly.

[@rojoreno]

excellent video, especially good that you addressed multiple issues why the derailleur may not be functioning correctly.

[@Floresnegras68]

Thank you for all your work in uploading these very very informative videos! Thank you. I do have a problem tho..I have a vintage stem shifter, and when I try and shift through any gears it wants to pull the cable housing with it. What Am I doing wrong? IS my stem shifter assembly to worn out so it isn't holding well enough? I tried loosing the tension in the cable but then it won't shift. Not sure what i should be looking for or what is expected from the stem shifter. Thank you!

[@kevinmcauliffe2831]

That era of Shimano 600 derailleur was so pretty. The whole group set was sleek and easy on the eyes.

[@johndef5075]

I think its their best looking group ever. Love the gray color too.

[@kevintanner7932]

Appreciate the video, fixed my problem

[@BRICEN18]

Thank you hope all is well!!

[@dridgelazatin5851]

Thanks for this information , this is my problem on my rear delailleur , it doesnt shift on the largest cogs .. i tried to go on bike shops then the bike mechanic says that the spring on my rear deralleur is already soft and need a nee Rd .. after i watch thsi video i tried it immediately and perfectly work , i also use wd40 on springs then oil after that it shifts smoothly in all gears thanksss man

[@Blades-fm6ck]

Great clear explanation. Subscribed

[@mattheywood360]

Excellent video, this did the trick for me. Cheers

[@jeloneq7]

Always brilliant stuff. Thanks.

[@abdulhaleemabbas59]

Did what you said and worked prefectly sir .Thank you 😊

[@StevenWyman]

Very helpful guide, got my gunked up Shimano altus unstuck from first gear. Thank you!

[@larksbikeblankets]

Great help, thank you

[@string15276]

Nice clear vid. Got a n Orange cloth the same as yours. Where'd we be without terrytowling. Cheers

[@Vega_-bc2vq]

Thanks for sharing!! 🙏🏼

[@justintrinidad9118]

Thank you!! Very helpful!!

[@dannyshick5853]

Thank you! Screw was my issue and its now fixed!

[@stevetaylor5269]

Thanks can now get into top gear (the only one I use tbh) on my folding electric bike, dirty derailleur all clean and lubricated now

[@JcIngal03]

hello, Im currently working on my bike, how do i know if the tension my cable is right?

[@TheSamwhyte]

Thank you so much for your clear video imagery and clear instructions - you helped me finally solve this problem that has annoyed me for months! (I actually had to increase cable tension AND my H limiting screw but it’s now worked!) Much obliged!

[@rnssandhu]

Thanks for the video, fixed my shifting problems!

[@tiamoire]

Thank you. This helped.

[@retrobicyclejunkie]

These tips helped out a lot😎👍 U the man RJ 🚴‍♂️🔥

[@matthewharvey3556]

I watched a bunch of videos about fixing/adjusting the rear derailleur, but none covered this issue -- where the limit screws are fine, the tension is loose enough, but the derailleur still won't pull the chain over there to the small cog(s) (even though you can easily do so manually with light pressure. I'm going to go spray that thing with some WD-40 like crazy and see if I can get it going. Thanks so much!!!

[@StuWright]

+Matthew Harvey did it work?

[@matthewharvey3556]

Not exactly, but a significant improvement. It's a 5-speed kids bike that would only run in the lowest two gears before doing this operation on it. I got it to where it will go from highest to lowest, but it still skips over two of the intervening gears.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

+Matthew Harvey Could be cables, shifters, or other things. If it's a 5 speed kid's bike, could be cheap components.

[@stevenjennings233]

No matter how much I loosen the barrel adjuster or tighten it, or mess with the hi and low limit screws, I can't get the derailleur to shift to top gear on the front sprocket. Would loosening the bolt that keeps the cable attached to the derailleur and tightening the cable make any difference?

[@nehmebilal3580]

For me it ended up being the derailleur hanger screw was totally loose :D I was following the steps and tried to move the derailleur to shift down and bingo.. Thanks for the great video!

[@cansurmeli]

Perfectly explained!

[@Randum_Gornutt]

Fantastic- exactly what I was looking for when troubleshooting!

[@mauricioacuna3746]

You 're videos rock thanks !

[@Subariblet]

Thank you

[@scotthermes]

Thanks! This is a great troubleshooting guide

[@mattcarpenter3243]

What would suddenly cause tension on the shifter of a 12 speed not letting you shift into high gear only low? Working on mine now. Mines just stuck on the lowest clog and I have to hold the shifter down manually. It's fairly new with no damage.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nailgquej81-pKc

[@future62]

Thanks!!! Took tension out of the cable... shifts great now

[@taffbonning1118]

I had to fit a new rear derailleur and to my amazement it was almost perfect in gear changes except for the two bottom cogs. With this video i had the problem solved within minutes by pausing the video after each of your steps - the limiter screw solved the problem so thanks very much!

[@donofthestates]

Hi shyflirt this questions unrelated to the video as I didn't know where to post it. I have a cheap department bike with no suspension and wondered psi should the tyres be?I've got it 55 back and 50 front but as there's no suspension the slightest bump vibrates the whole bike,thanks.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

The PSI range is determined by the tires. It should be written on the sidewall somewhere. The probably with cheap department store bikes is that they are cheap. They are made of cheap metals with cheap components. There is a reason Walmart an sell them for $100. You would be better off buying a used quality bike. Come visit my facebook page at facebook.com/RJTheBikeGuy

[@jonathantorok2165]

Thanks very very much RJ for this brilliant video. I had to watch it a few times to properly understand what the issues were but finally got the adjustments right for getting back into top gear ! nothing more annoying than the high gear not working when commuting to work ! thanks !!

[@hikotee]

Exactly the problem I'm facing on my new bike. looks promising. will try and see Thanks very much

[@ndretheruler]

Thank you, solved my problem!

[@legoinzynier]

Regards from Poland!

[@johndef5075]

I really thought my springs were worn out but after thorough cleaning and a squirt of wd40 into the shifters its working great!

[@adamkuriadagg7233]

It worked thanks

[@-Drebin-]

Hi thank you for the video! I have recently upgraded my hybrid bike from Shimano Sora to SHIMANO 11V 105 5800 - 11/32 rear mech. I purchased the rear mech new. My rear casette is only a 9 speed but even so, I'm having the same problem you described in this video. Any ideas? Thank you! Keep up the great work!

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

+DrebinCH Maybe cable adjustment or limiting screws would be my first guesses.

[@-Drebin-]

+RJ The Bike Guy - I tried, but it still wont... Almost as if the spring is not strong enough.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I don't know then.

[@-Drebin-]

+RJ The Bike Guy - Thanks anyway. I'll let you know if I find out.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

It's hard to diagnose issues without having hands on the bike.

[@seemasonar4261]

Thank you so much RJ i fixed it ,when i took my cycle to cycle service center he told me it costs 1$dollar for this small thing.thanks

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Charged you a dollar to adjust your derailleur?

[@seemasonar4261]

Yes

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

@@seemasonar4261 Glad they could help you and and only charge a nominal amount!

[@seemasonar4261]

Thanks RJ

[@seemasonar4261]

@@RJTheBikeGuy Thanks

[@brothaman1312]

Great video!

[@0utriderzero]

Great tutorial

[@Tjs_powersports]

My suntour cyclone is doing the same thing it was caked in grease i also replaced the little gears in it cus they were completely shot

[@gabriel_1151]

Thank you i solved the problem

[@_shahbaz_shaz]

Very helpful video

[@nappyboi312]

Thanks!! I just assumed my bike was super slow until I realized it wasn't even reaching the top gear lol. Turns out I had to loosen the screw like you said!

[@billmacrae1924]

Riding over bumpy ground can sometimes shake a stiff derailleur into the small cog. Interesting spoke pattern on the rear wheel.

[@fupayme2171]

thanks had 2 gears not working for some time. The wire was tight so i pulled the allen keys out and gave it a lil slack and my 2 gears came back . Thanks

[@roberts1159]

Nice straight forward video. Tried what was mentioned and still did not help chain going to high gears (small cassette teeth). Turned out cable was frayed inside shifter on the right hand shifter. Replaced cable and all is good now.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nailgquej81-pKc

[@harriwilson4462]

Great video, thanks so much!

[@ScoutJoe]

Thanks RJ you're the best!

[@kerryemmerson8954]

You forgot some other minor issues. Which is understandable for anyone not having other issues that need finding like I did. The cable could be catching inside the shifter, on the bars, or catching inside the housings by not being straight and smooth in there somewhere, our the small plate that clamps the cable end could be in the way and holding the spring loaded mech from easing across but does when you assist it with pressure. All kinds of funny shit can drive someone nuts with these things. The cable should be clean and kink free from end to end with nothing inhibiting total freedom of smooth movement.

[@M00x10]

Yup, just fixed this problem on an old Raleigh. The cable had just enough drag for its end to pop out of its hole in the shift-lever when shifting up, then catch in that position preventing high gear. A drop of glue to hold the cable end into the shifter lever fixed that.

[@angeldustfather]

+RJ The Bike Guy Hello, I have an issue with my mountai bike. When I shift to a smaller gear it shifts nicely but when I pedal really hard the chain tries to go on a lower gear (without me touching the gear shifter) Please help, and great video:)

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

+Henris Ivaskevicius Sounds like the derailleur is of adjustment, or a bent derailleur/hanger. But it could be that the derailleur is not actually trying to shift. It could be skipping, which would be caused by a worn chain/cassette.

[@theBarefoot]

Super helpful.

[@stephenmelville7181]

Thanks. After watching this I tried the limit screws to no avail, then when checking the derailleur movement I found that there was some movement in the pivor of the hanger screw. It wasn't too loose but I managed to tighten the screw a bit and it fixed the issue. This is a fairly new bike using shimano tiagra components, do you think that I should get it checked out? Cheers

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nailgquej81-pKc If the bike continues to have problems, try to figure them out or have it checked out.

[@roncooke2188]

Where are your gloves.? Great video interesting

[@fruitcake4t]

thank you, that was a great help

[@DMW2000]

Good vid. Thanks.

[@CarsonBarnhardt]

Not a single video on KZbin on how to adjust all gears properly, this is ridiculous

[@Kursell]

What if it doesn't change down at all? Even from the slowest cog to the second slowest or from any to a smallest cog? It shifts to up to bigger cogs with no problem though.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nailgquej81-pKc

[@tmayberry7559]

So am I to understand that you used liquid wrench relube the rd. What about using PB blaster. I sure enjoy your video

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I used Liquid Wrench LUBRICATING OIL. PB Blaster is mainly a penetrating oil for breaking parts loose.

[@tmayberry7559]

@@RJTheBikeGuy thanks I needed that

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

@@tmayberry7559 You can use wet chain lube.

[@_--____--______--___]

I've had a brand new bike delivered today and the rear wheel and derailleur were already installed out of the box. It's a Shimano set with 18 gears, but it won't go into gears 9 or 18 on the smallest cog. I'll have to check the limiting screw first to see if that's the issue. Hopefully it won't be a cable issue because it's all pretty tight, unless the cable needs to slackened off in the higher gears?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Dunno. Go through the stuff in the video.

[@_--____--______--___]

Will do. Hopefully it should be an easy fix in the morning 👍

[@johnpaulharveyc.delrosario1268]

thanks it helped me

[@TFro3]

Thanks! This helped troubleshoot my issue. Turns out my derailler has a protective "cage" around it, which was bent, pushing against the derailler preventing up shifting into the 6th (highest) gear. Thanks again!