Fixing Another "Broken" Shifter That Won't Shift - Simple Easy Fix

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

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[@Patstar777]

RJ The Bike Guy so who are the buttheads that give you thumbs down on these videos? Geez.....

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

@@Patstar777 I think I have a few people who have sub'd JUST to thumbs down my videos.

[@bob-ny6kn]

So many shifters in the hot south suffer "stuck" shifters (grease gets baked and dried, becoming tacky like glue) and this procedure works 100%. Convincing the owner/customer (co-op DIY shop) to continue trying more than one squirt and longer than the RJ video is the hard part. I like early Saturdays... Thank you, RJ.

[@jamiealcorn1370]

Had the same problem after a long hot ride here in the south. Upshift on the rear was almost locked completely, was taking an awful amount of force to shift it just once. Blasted it with PB Blaster and then some silicone lube spray and it freed up immediately. It took me longer to get the bike up and put on gloves than it did for the fix. Thank you and @rjthebikeguy

[@grooveseeker6269]

I think this is one of the most useful tricks I've ever learnt. My friend was charged 150€ to change his "broken" shifters... If only I had known this before. I performed this succesfully on 3-4 shifters already, saving hundreds of euros and giving old parts a new life. Thank you so much. You and ParkTool channel are everything I've always expected bike mechanics to be like. You'll always be my references. Here in Spain bike shops are so lazy... they will replace absolutely everything... No bearing overhauling, no adjusting no nothing, they will only replace everything with a new part... Thank you for sharing your knoweledge with us, you made me have love for well done mechanics, I can only say thank you again and again. Greeting from Spain :)

[@Patstar777]

I’ve bought some really nice shifters on eBay that have been “broken” exactly like this. Your videos taught me how!!

[@ralphpannone3391]

The 10 people who disliked this video must like to spend big $$$ at the LBS on parts they do not need. Just think of how many ppl have replaced their shifters thinking they were "broken". RJ the bike guy has saved me hundreds of dollars in labor and parts with these videos and I have put multiple dozens of bikes back in use (with the help of these videos) Thanks RJ for the best bike repair videos on KZbin. They are straight to the point with clear,easy to follow instructions!

[@ceilingphan8575]

I love how specific each video is. I'll have an issue with my bike and I'll find a video you made specifically addressing that issue. This one happens often (I'd like to think) but its just crazy how on the dot you are with every other issue I and many others have had. You're amazing.

[@oldshovel]

Awesome tutorial. I’ve had to do this a few times. I’ve even upended up the shifters before to get the gunk off.

[@raulmarquez5485]

Thank you for the very helpful video! I had tried cleaning my Dura Ace 10 speed shifter using non solvent based cleaners as recommended by other bike repair videos, but did not fix the shifter. Low and behold I tried the WD-40 and my shifter is now working. Thank you; keep up the informative videos. Now I can get back to cycling. ❤🚴🏻‍♂️

[@SixStringRacer]

Took my Proflex 757 Mountain bike outta the attic and used your guide to get it working again. Gotta beat this covid 19 lockdown boredom......thanks dude from Maui!

[@bainesfamily5309]

This has saved my life, I bought an avanti monza for the tip shop from all places. and this was the only problem minus the tires might need replacing thats wrong with it. Your vid marks out everything that you might come across whereas other vids just talk about general things.

[@summerease]

Found a pristine pre-Trek Lemond for $200 but the seller knocked off another $20 because the shifter wasn't working. Wham! Now it's working and everyone whistles softly as I ride by. Thanks!

[@meadows408]

Thanks for the video, keeping old bikes back on the road.

[@LauriAP]

I try to rise quality. I grind bearings and they are a bit rough. Maybe few years can have extra.

[@chvckfventes]

I bought an old Cannondale R600 with Shimano 105 brifters that had this problem of not catching on the ratchets. I just wanna say this is such a godsend of a vid (the previous vid about a similar problem) and I did the same thing to mine. Lo and behold, it started working perfectly again. I just flooded it with WD-40 and worked the levers. Took me maybe 10 minutes or so and if worked again. This is such a good help. And it saved me a whole lotta cash. Thanks for this!

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Be sure to follow up with Tri-Flow.

[@walterpickard5284]

I was skeptical, but this worked very well on a triathlon bike that was sitting in a shed for about ten years. Took more like four days of daily treatment to loosen things up, but it does beat taking the whole assembly apart , I imagine. Thanks for the tip!

[@Nzwinemaker]

Thanks so much for this video. I thought my cable must have snapped as the shifters were not doing anything, no ratchet noise no nothing. Went to change the cable and found it still intact so thought my 20 month old GRX RX810 shifter must have broken - not a happy camper. Searched online and found your video - short spray with WD40and a couple of actuations and full functionality returned to my lever. Have now subscribed for more great info like this.

[@florascent9ts]

already seen this years ago, but it's always nice to see a video for the new viewers!

[@Desi365]

First time I ever see this first name, Othera. Very rare and very beautiful. I suspect you originate from Central/South America but even with this lead I can’t find any info related to it. I’m passionate about genealogy, i have to tell you.

[@Desi365]

The grave accent makes it intriguing, also. If that’s a pure creation, please congratulate the author.

[@mybrotherisnotapig6750]

Once again I gotta thank ya so much RJ , my old Tiagra 4700 rear shifter suddenly stopped shifting down and I was stuck on the 34t. I went back and took it apart and it was caked with dirt all over inside. And a couple of spray of wd40 the blasted shift down paddle started catching again!

[@lizm422]

Just want to come and say thanks! Bought a used road bike online and this did the trick!

[@OLinUnix188]

Just found this video… I did what you suggested and voila, my shifters are working again! Thank you, sir!

[@johndef5075]

My Shimano 600 rear derailleur wasnt shifting into the 2 highest gears. Cleaned rear derailleur and sprayed each shifter like this and its working great now! Thank you! I was actually considering a new drivetrain. No reason now!❤

[@PanoramicIreland]

100% this worked, a bike that hadn't been used for 10 years with Shimano RSX. It took a lot of spray (WD40) and a few days in total to get them fully loosened, gripping and some spray oil to make sure they stayed working. Top video, thank you.

[@Sindi446]

Thanks! I had non-working Deore-LX-Shifters on my old MTB. Tried this method a few weeks ago (had the same idea as you), and it worked. At the beginning I had some problems at downshifting - flooded the Cables too - works as new.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Sounds like it's time to replace the cables and housings...

[@Sindi446]

@@RJTheBikeGuy oh yes :-)

[@SignorLuigi]

Super nice RJ! I have found that sometimes a heat gun, used judiciously, is an effective added weapon to remove old, dried grease as the higher temperature liquifies the old grease and helps to remove it.

[@pgmurray76]

Hell yeah

[@Stoney3K]

Just be careful if the shifter has internal plastic parts.

[@euromobile900]

Nice Terry! A (very short) friend of mine just bought one just like this (with a bad shifter) on my suggestion and I'm going to try your technique out pretty soon.

[@peterc302]

Thanks for the great tip. I had this problem on my MTB shifter and Tried this fix and worked perfectly! Keep up the great videos.

[@mikeo1567]

Took one apart years ago, parts went flying everywhere. Never did get it back together. That's when I learned this trick. Has worked every time for me. Much easier then dissembling a shifter.

[@pgmurray76]

I still take them apart, but make sure NO ONE else comes near the parts and have four plastic pill containers. I used the top of a white freezer in my sister's garage one time and my brother in law needed hamburger rolls. I had one shifter partially assembled on top - like 5 pieces total. I grabbed all the parts, I thought, he got the bag and I went back. Oh crap. The only screw in the assembly (M2 phillips flathead x 4mm) was missing! I had just taken it out because I indexed something wrong. What a pain. I ordered 10 stainless M2 screws from an east coast company and never ever work on a surface touched by others anymore. It really is a pain in the butt, even after doing three sets. I think I'll blast them from now on. But, the feeling when those are torn down cleaned under a microscope and lubed up is incredible. Like a precision machine gun.

[@shelbye1199]

THANK YOU!! This fixed my "broke" shifters. Excellent video!!

[@stevenash3949]

Great video! This just allowed me to fix my bike that I’d had in storage and go out on a ride that I’ve been wanting to do for a while. Thanks for the awesome instruction!

[@OldschoolDT]

Yesterday I bought a pair of 2 by 8 105 brifters and will test your method today.

[@gritlog]

You just saved me time and money from going to the repair shop! Subbed!

[@enizicanovic428]

Both of my shimano 105 shifters were broken i thought something serious is broken and ill have to buy new ones ,ive done this and both shifters work perfectly now.Thanks man!

[@ГородБаку-е8щ]

The bike looks in excellent condition, congratulations RJ💪👍

[@tremodian]

This almost immediately fixed my shifter. Very clear and easy. Thanks!

[@mackybmx]

This is Alway's worth a try... I've brought back many a shifter back from the dead doing this!! :)

[@brasstinmancrazy]

awesome, heading straight to the garage to fix those shifters

[@brasstinmancrazy]

It worked nicely, thank you

[@hereismyusername007]

Breakfree CLP works good for flushing out the old grease too, and has better lubrication properties than WD40. I have the same shifters and had to do this to get them working again, thanks for the tip on flicking the shifters, I'll try that next time. Thanks for the videos you post, they are very informative.

[@Ru556]

I've followed this method a few times, particularly during winter when the grease thickens. Eventually, the problem returns. So, if you take off the front cap, being very careful not to be too ambitious about dismantling, you'll find a lump of hardened grease. Pick it out and then re-lube with light oil. Reassemble and 'Bob's your uncle!'. No further problems. I nearly replaced my RSX shifters with downtube shifters because of this repeating problem. In fact, I bought them and then returned for a refund. :) Hope that helps!

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I have never had a reoccurance. Most of the grease is flushed out, and the tri flow is much thinner.

[@JamesJReid]

I used this technique today to fix the shimano lx shifter on my vintage cannondale. thank you so much

[@henryhopkins5261]

This can be done on any Shimano shifter. it is important to use a water-based degreaser, as the plastic components will degrade and crack from exposure to solvent based degreasers. I've had luck with diluting simple green 25/75 with 75% lukewarm to hot water. It's best to remove the mechanism and soak the whole shifter, running it through clicks occasionally. Be sure to flush all the degreaser out, then blow out any grit or moisture with compressed air. dry teflon-based lubricants are the best option for relubricating, as it tends to not draw grit and dust back into the mechanism. I've brought back even the most disgusting shifters (some with both gritty lever feel and stuck pawls) using this. Amazes me every time how well they can respond to some love. Love your vids RJ!

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I have never had any problem with WD-40. I have used citrus degreaser, and it didn't work nearly as well. Beware that simple green can damage any aluminum parts. And most shops use Tri Flow.

[@pete.currie]

Yo RJ! Thanks for the videos, tons of love from Montreal!

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Thanks for watching!

[@arthurschierhoff6485]

I tried this on one of my bikes and it worked 😎

[@aldouztek2784]

How much WD-40 do I need to spray? RJ The Bike Guy: Yes!

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Pretty much. Keep going until it frees up, or you give up. Keep flooding it,

[@tonyconnors1342]

Thank you would never have thought of that a great video again.

[@PaulioMaldinio]

Good info, I have similar shifters, so handy knowledge

[@andyheilmann1656]

Once again you saved the day!

[@Herbybandit]

I’ve come across this loads of times, something that helps is undoing the handlebar clamp and pulling the bars up so the shifters are pointing up 👆 that way the solvent will run down into the mechanism quicker, same with the lube.

[@KarlosEPM]

Good tip!

[@that70sschwinn]

Nice job and great quick fix 👍 A bike shop may have recommended an unnecessary replacement 🙄🚲🔧

[@BastiaaNED590]

You saved me some bucks, thanks!!

[@tonystone3397]

GoodmanI am delighted to have learned this, great work.

[@camperhonsa8633]

Had to leave a disassembled shifter in degreaser for a week and then remove a few parts so I could clean them from the gunk. It was a battle, but the shifter was real nice so it was worth it. Works well now

[@tonyparrish5566]

Mountain shifters are even easier because you can usually open them up enough to reach the pawl with a pick and help work it directly. I've been doing this for years and I've only had 2 shifters not work afterwards. One the spring for the pawl was broken, and another started working again, but the mechanism was so worn that the indexing was bad so it never shifted right. I think it was the plastic piece that held the cable that had worn out. If you're willing to take the shifters off the bike, soaking them in degreaser for a while works beautifully. Even better if you have an ultrasonic wash.

[@jeremyw4858]

Hi RJ. I'm trying to replace the cable on my dad's Cannondale for the rear shifting. It's a triple chain ring. What chainring, real cog and shifter position should I have it in when I install the new shifter cable. Thanks for making such helpful videos!

[@Craigo87]

Great vid. Brākleen brake cleaner works way better than WD40. Triflow makes a great replacement lubricant. 👍

[@michaelp.3080]

I like watching these videos

[@kervilou5905]

rj is the best, and WD 40 ! thanks !!!

[@ryan-ny8fj]

great video

[@we5happy]

Years ago I took an old ~1995 M500 Cannondale to a shop and they said the shifters were dead and tried to sell me new ones. Took it home and did this and it worked. Went back and talked to the owner because the tech clearly knew what he was doing. Never been back.

[@davidlindsay6072]

Super thumbs up!

[@theMosen]

I've got to try this! After the shifter stopped working, I asked in a bike shop and they said there's a plastic cog in there that's probably worn down, so there's nothing I can do. I went and bought new shifters, but I still have the old ones.

[@johndaviscarroll]

Hi RJ, Would you be willing and/or able to show how to replace vintage pads from the mounts. Getting the old ones out is easy with pliers. Not so easy getting new replacements in. Perhaps heating them up?

[@stevekyhon]

A cup of coffee for helping me

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Thank you very much!

[@heislpartie]

Thanks so much for this video!!,

[@cledisonsilva9815]

Great job! Thanks for it!!!!

[@dans_Learning_Curve]

Helped a buddy with a mountain bike he picked up used very cheap. Good quality bike. However, he didn't notice the cage on the front derailer was completely worn through by the chain rubbing. Long story short, turns out, the pawls were stuck in the rapid fire shifter not allowing detailer adjustment. Took the shifter apart. The pawl was stuck solid!

[@bernardogiosd.7031]

Thanks you

[@cusebike5391]

Flushing WD40 is critical. It will eventually set-up just like the old grease that was the problem in the first place. RJ's got the correct approach.

[@joeandtoma2572]

You hero. My cyclocross bike rolls once more

[@JohnHughes2002]

I wonder how many perfectly good components have been junked for this very reason? I'm sure that I must have been guilty of it at some point.

[@twgq]

John Hughes I bought some new Ultegra 6600 STI. There where not use, only stored as a spare part. The owner realised after years that they sometimes won’t shift down. I bought them for about 30$, fluted with some WD40 and then lubricant with white oil. They were working now since 10.000 km.

[@naldyano]

Tomek AusBerlin wow, you’re so lucky my man!

[@twgq]

Nicky Aldyano yeah sometimes you win sometimes you lose. I also bought shitty stuff too. It’s like playing cards. But asking the right question to the seller can help. But for this price you’ve to buy fast.

[@naldyano]

Tomek AusBerlin yep, i bought roadbike only half from brand new price. Apparently seller only using it for about 3-4 times. Even some part still covered with plastic.

[@joekahno]

WD-40 used propane as a propellant years ago. They changed the formula when the enviro-whacko's howled about hydrocarbons escaping into the atmosphere. The old stuff made wonderful starting fluid for two strokes that hadn't been run for a while.

[@fredw3817]

Thanks for your vids! Very helpful. Any chance you could do a video on refurbishment of some bar end shifters? Can’t seem to find anything out there to help me. Best wishes!

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

What is the issue?

[@fredw3817]

Picked up a mid 70’s bike with sun Tour bar end shifters. They are my first so I’m not sure if the stiff shifting is normal or not. Seems to take a lot more force to move the levers than it should.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

@@fredw3817 Could be cables. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmillGOHoNqXjZo

[@marshallcahill4958]

I want to thank U for your guidance. I know where to start now...... Michael

[@alejandroguerrero1912]

I bought a used giant axt 2017, and the lever doesn't work to move up to the bigger ring, the 6 rings works great (up-down), the technician said that i have to buy a new rear derailleur (tourney). I'm going to try WD40 in the shifters. Thank you.

[@cubeman5303]

Worked for me :)

[@JohnHughes2002]

I like your bike stand - I might look for one in the UK.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

It was an indoor trainer missing the resistance unit. Someone threw it out. I claimed it.

[@lekkerbek-em8lq]

I have ptfe spray is good for

[@brettsmith2624]

If you were to take the shifter apart, would you use a grease (like your marine grease) for lubrication instead of the Tri-Flo? Thanks for all the videos!

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I doubt marine grease would be appropriate. Not sure. Would have to research. It would need to be plastic safe. And likely a light grease.

[@airwilliam24]

I personally use silicone grease. Has been working great for all the siezed shifters I have cleaned.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

@@airwilliam24 That was what I was thinking. Not sure what is recommended.

[@njcranes]

Mr. RJ, can I drill into my forks to add water bottle cages? It's a cannondale quick 4

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

No. It will weaken the forks, and they will likely fail and seriously injure you!

[@njcranes]

@@RJTheBikeGuy Mystery solved. Thank you

[@njcranes]

@@RJTheBikeGuy How about a product like JB Weld? Could I use that safely to add the water bottle cages?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

@@njcranes How about these: www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B077S5G4SL/ref=nosim/youtube25-20

[@VideoGameAtlas]

Does anyone know what the white stand in the back is called? I can't seem to find one like it on the web. Wouldn't mind owning one.

[@majkeljaksonofficiall2968]

Hey, can you show how to assemble a mechanical brake y lever?

[@sol029]

I changed to a single speed over a year ago and the shifter never got used. Switched back to cassette and my shifter isn't working. Trying this out. It's resting overnight. Hopefully a few more flushes will clean it out get it working.

[@hl2dus1]

What is the best front/rear hub which you like ??

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

*shrug*

[@andrewallport]

I picked up two mountain bikes recently that both had this problem. One was for free and the other I paid $15 for. I reckon the free one, that I got from the tip shop, was thrown out for that exact reason. The $15 one was advertised with this fault specifically. Both were fixed in less than half an hour each.

[@carbonsuicidemtb1583]

I typically take the lever apart, the pawl needs working quite a bit to get working again, some times the pawl axle base can bend if someone forces the lever when the gear cables are rusted and jammed

[@blex5579]

wd-40 also works on `broken` bicylce-lights as i found out today...the board of my rear light was all rusty and gunky, tried vingegar first and some scratching, no effect- tried WD-40- instant success...

[@TheJenry13]

My upshifter is not working any tips on that?

[@misiekvuychik3768]

I have bought used cyclo cross bike with Dura Ace 10 speed shifters and inside was lot of dirt and sand. I sprayed maybe 2 or 3 containers of lubricant to remove all sand...

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

At that point I probably would have remove the shifters from the bike. Maybe used my ultrasonic cleaner.

[@Djarfur0]

How long would you try this fix before deciding to take the shifters apart and clean them that way?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

A long time. If this doesn't work, I might try an ultrasonic cleaner. These newer shifters are not easy to take apart, and reassemble.

[@asgerjensen4907]

if i want to fix the downshifting, should i spray wd-40 in the same hole? or are there another place that i should spray in, for fixing the downshifting?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Same holes!

[@jonatgree]

Can I do this without the cable installed? The shifter appears to have jammed without a cable in there. Thanks.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Yes.

[@theriver8524]

I have noticed a lot of very sticky left side shimano 6800 brifters lately... any chance I an do this safely to them? Will it negatively effect the hydraulic components in the brake system?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

The brake and shifter are separate parts of the unit. Shouldn't be a problem.

[@krispayne729]

I've been looking for a pair of old school integrated shifters for my 1991 Gardenia Road Bike it's got a 105 groupset 8-speed on the rear double chain rings out front but I'm having a hard time trying to find them shifters cuz mine's downtube shifters and I would like to get the fully integrated ones that would work with my old school groups at they're hard to find here in Canada and if I do find them they're usually like 2 hours from home

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXutqp9mrbWlgJI

[@LauriAP]

I had a bit different problem, the cable was stuck inside the cover. Lots of dirt came out when wiping it clean. I used gun oil. It was recommended by velogi. There is special wire lubricant though. I prefer opening the problematic part for cleaning.

[@zero5uk]

Hi, RJ. Love your videos. I'm getting all the (10) down/up clicks on my DA-9000 but 1 click from the top of the cassette results in 4 shits (gear 1>4). It shifts up the cassette fine but always jumps down. I've rerouted internal cables 3x to make sure there's no crossover (even tried with only the rear cable applied) & the cable pulls through from shifter to rear mech fine. Removed the hood & screw caps to look at the pawls. Look ok. It was working before I changed rear mech (new) & cable so there is no reason for the shifter to be broken but no matter what I try (even a new hanger) I can't solve it. Bike shops have 2-week waiting list here. Any tips?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Sorry, I can't really do any diagnosis without working on it.

[@HellukeLolums]

You linked this video in reply to a guy asking about a shifter going down 2 gears when only clicking once, I have a shimano sora St 3500 9 speed, it's designed to go down 2 gears at a bigger push, but on the first push it always changes 2 gears and then the rest of the time 1, I only had this problem when I attached the cables, before putting it on the bike it seemed to work fine, and I've tried cleaning it out, but I'm still not sure what to do. When I click once on the pull back on the first click it clicks again causing it to change 2 gears but not always changing the derailleur at the back at the same time.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Did you try this?

[@HellukeLolums]

@@RJTheBikeGuy yes I flooded the inside, I've got a degreaser that I used and then a degreaser/lubricant that I followed up with and did it about 4 times, leaving it there to soak for an hour, clicked multiple times and it still changes 2 on the shifter from one click.

[@kg0316]

We have the same sti hahah is that 7 speed too? Coz when im in the lowest gear and keep shifting it still moving but not clicking

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I don't know what you have or how it's set up.

[@mattfoley6082]

What about pouring hot or boiling water on it? Would that work? If so then hit it after with air and WD40 to remove water.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Never done it. Be aware it may damage plastic or rubber parts.

[@HMSITH]

This plastic piece that you spray wd 40 can be remove to clean the mechanism, you need to remove the pin in the base of the lever and then remove the nut in the body of the shifter, you can get a nice clean and is very easy to relube de shifter.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Yes it can. But then it is not no longer an easy fix. This is much easier. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpyqf4GVZ6iZebs

[@jeffrey2839]

I've also done this before but I don't use WD-40, instead I use diesel and put lubricant oil then re-grease them inside, now I have very smooth shifting than I first time buying my STI lever...

[@old_man_white_beard1529]

Would removing bolt help?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

No.

[@old_man_white_beard1529]

Thanks

[@drinkwater3321]

I recently got a bike for cheap and decited to strip everything down to learn fixing parts, there was play in freewheel so i took it apart, cleaned, gresed and put it all back but there still is little play (I can feel and hear it but its bearly seeable) is it good like that?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Probably okay. You can always replace it if it has shifting issues.