mech clutch adjustm...
 

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mech clutch adjustment - stop me ####ing this up

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I have a shimano mech (slx, maybe M7000) and the clutch is pretty much all or nothing.  If I try to even marginally lighten the action, it loses all effectiiveness within a single short ride.

I'm wondering about putting some threadlock on the adjustment screw which I imagine will require full removal.

1) Is this a remotely sensible idea or is all/nothing just how it is ?

2) When I remove the screw, is there a danger of bits flying out of the mechanism, never to be repacked or even found ?

TVM, as ever

(Ooops, didn't know that the swear filter ignores titles)


 
Posted : 04/07/2025 9:25 pm
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I've had a few apart, it all goes back together. Mind and grease it. 


 
Posted : 04/07/2025 9:56 pm
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Rather than grease I found I had more consistent clutch sensitivity with park tools anti-seize compound when stripping them down and applying to the roller/clamp mechanism 


 
Posted : 04/07/2025 10:08 pm
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Topic starter
 

OK, thanks both - as long as I can take it out I'll do a bit of mucking about to see what might be achievable. 

No love for my threadlock idea then ??


 
Posted : 04/07/2025 10:26 pm
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Check the plastic tab the screw goes through isn’t snapped - any pressure on the screw makes it pop out and the clutch is useless. 


 
Posted : 04/07/2025 10:28 pm
 bens
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I don't think you'll need threadlock. Strip it down and make sure there's grease on the bits that need it and make doubly sure that there not grease on the bits that shouldn't be greased. 

Last time mine was playing up, it turned out that it was a horrible rusty mess inside. The big spring and the 'plate axle' (pin thing) were badly rusted. Left them to soak in some vinegar over night which brought them back to life and it's been fine ever since. 

There's a good guide here https://nsmb.com/articles/shimano-derailleur-clutch-service/ it's pretty straight forward. 

 


 
Posted : 05/07/2025 5:28 am
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Check the plastic tab the screw goes through isn’t snapped - any pressure on the screw makes it pop out and the clutch is useless. 

This. Don’t get grease on the rollers either. 


 
Posted : 05/07/2025 9:21 am
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it's pretty straight forward.

It is, although that pictorial guide makes it look terrifying....there are good YouTube videos that are easy to follow. I think this is the one I watched first time I stripped down a mech:


 
Posted : 05/07/2025 10:55 am
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Video above also helps you repair broken mechs. Hence I now have 3 m8000 spare. 


 
Posted : 05/07/2025 11:43 am
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just done mine  axle was rusty and prevented smooth rotation I destroyed the thin plastic seal thing when tensioning the main spring with the cage🤯 working ok now  another fine bodge 


 
Posted : 07/07/2025 8:43 am
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In a purely guesstimated number, 90% of the mechs I see at work aren't working correctly because of this: 

just done mine  axle was rusty and prevented smooth rotation

So don't just clean and grease the clutch. Take the axle out and clean, wet n dry( if needed) and grease the axle as well.

 

Follow the instructions out you'll: 

I destroyed the thin plastic seal thing when tensioning the main spring with the cage

Did that a few times myself as well at first.

 

 

 

 

 


 
Posted : 07/07/2025 9:22 am
Posts: 1141
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In a purely guesstimated number, 90% of the mechs I see at work aren't working correctly because of this: 

just done mine  axle was rusty and prevented smooth rotation

So don't just clean and grease the clutch. Take the axle out and clean, wet n dry( if needed) and grease the axle as well.

 

Follow the instructions or you'll: 

I destroyed the thin plastic seal thing when tensioning the main spring with the cage

Did that a few times myself as well at first.

 


 
Posted : 07/07/2025 9:23 am

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