Shimano Ultegra Shifter Problem

[capesean]

Hi

 

I'm trying out a bit of DIY maintenance on my bike... (please excuse me if I get some terminology wrong)

 

I have Shimano Ultegra shifters, and I have a problem where the (smaller) shifter for the rear derailleur don't "click" easily when trying to shift into a higher gear (the smaller cog for downhills).

 

I've worked out that it's because the larger shifter moves in too much when I press the smaller one. If I hold the larger one (i.e. the brake) still (while stationary!), and click the smaller one, then it works like a dream. But while riding (that's hard to do) when I push the smaller one, the whole thing seems to have a bit of play, and so the shifter doesn't "click".

 

Is this something that I can easily fix?

 

When I last had my bike serviced, I was pretty much told this couldn't be done, it would need a whole new shifter. Which I guess is why I'm trying it myself.

 

Any advice/suggestions?

 

Thanks

Sean

[Malpiet]

I wouldnt advise you to open it yourself if you don't know what's happening,I managed to fix mine which was a 9spd ultegra shifter and the problem was the nut tightening the silver lever to the plastic housing was loose causing it to have some play.I am sure a bike shop can check that out for you.

 

Normally the Ultegra and DA parts are built so solid that they very seldom give any problems.

[Cycling Major]

A friend of mine also had a problem like this... Maybe not for the same reason but give this a try.

 

Take Q20... Pull the brake so that you can see the inside of the shifter and spray the Q20 in there like there is no tomorrow. Then push the shifter to the far right and spray it again (just to make sure it goes to all the small places)

 

You can spray so that it pours onto the floor. Leave it for a day or so and it should be fine.

 

Sometimes the grease in the shifters get a bit clunky. A bike shop asked him R200 to do this and only told him afterwards how easy it is to fix.

 

Not sure if this will help you but good luck!!!

[Maantjie]

I had the same problem with my 10sp Dura-Ace shifters and was also told it can't be fixed. I went on the net and yes Q20, WD40 and any substance of that kind works like a dream like Cycling Major said. You don't even need to loosen any skrews or anything like that. Good luck bru

[Big H*]

Just remember that Q20 is not a lubricant.

[kenj]

Behind the silver lever there is a small screw take a star screwdrifer and chech of it is secured in place to get to it shift to the small gear then push the silver lever to the left hold the black lever let the silver lever return to to the normal positoin if that does not work wil post some more tips i also have some spares for the older 9 speed shifters

[Reg Lizard]

jip you get liquad grease and you might want to check your gear cable first

[RexFuzzle]

Also possible to check the limit screws on the derailer(???) thingy- had a problem where it was on the limit so it couldn't shift...

[Helpmytrap]

Also possible to check the limit screws on the derailer(???) thingy- had a problem where it was on the limit so it couldn't shift...

Had that happen on my front dérailleur when replacing the cable, there is too much tension in the cable to allow the shifter to complete the movement and engage the big blade.

Although I don't think that's the issue here. It sounds like the spring that is meant to keep the brake lever in place has "lost" a bit of its tension? thus not returning or keeping the lever in the appropriate place.

[capesean]

A friend of mine also had a problem like this... Maybe not for the same reason but give this a try.

 

Take Q20... Pull the brake so that you can see the inside of the shifter and spray the Q20 in there like there is no tomorrow. Then push the shifter to the far right and spray it again (just to make sure it goes to all the small places)

 

You can spray so that it pours onto the floor. Leave it for a day or so and it should be fine.

 

Sometimes the grease in the shifters get a bit clunky. A bike shop asked him R200 to do this and only told him afterwards how easy it is to fix.

 

Not sure if this will help you but good luck!!!

 

This sounded so promising. I gave it a good spray, but alas, it hasn't helped. Thanks for the reply, though.

[capesean]

Behind the silver lever there is a small screw take a star screwdrifer and chech of it is secured in place to get to it shift to the small gear then push the silver lever to the left hold the black lever let the silver lever return to to the normal positoin if that does not work wil post some more tips i also have some spares for the older 9 speed shifters

 

So the screw underneath the silver lever? It was pretty tight - I couldn't budge it. Should I loosen it, then do what you say above? At what point do I tighten it?

[capesean]

Also possible to check the limit screws on the derailer(???) thingy- had a problem where it was on the limit so it couldn't shift...

 

I don't think it's that. When I'm in the lowest gear, and I try click up the first one, that's when it's at it's worst - just doesn't go. If I hold the silver lever in place, then there's no problem, and I can usually go through the rest of the gears too. So it's definitely not the limit screws. Thanks, tho.

[capesean]

I wouldnt advise you to open it yourself if you don't know what's happening,I managed to fix mine which was a 9spd ultegra shifter and the problem was the nut tightening the silver lever to the plastic housing was loose causing it to have some play.I am sure a bike shop can check that out for you.

 

Normally the Ultegra and DA parts are built so solid that they very seldom give any problems.

 

Is that the screw under the silver lever? It was pretty tight, I couldn't budge it. Might have to try the shop again...