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Anyone else had the clutch on their XT mech fail over time? Tried to adjust mine (as per Bike Radar guidelines) but it seems the screw is already screwed in as far as it will go, so I can't tighten/stiffen the clutch any more. Or am I being thick and turning the adjuster screw the wrong way? I don't think so. Any tips/advice, or is it new mech time if I want the clutch feature? Ta.
Check the u-shaped bracket that the adjuster screw mounts on. Good chance it's broken in one of the corners
Can someone explain this? My SLX doesn't appear to be working - but its hardly had any use.
I didn't even know you could adjust them?
Take the cover off by removing 3 small screws on the front. You'll see the adjecter screw inside pretty obviously. Give it a wee turn to tighten it up if required. Check clutch function, make sure the seal's in place, cover on, ride.
This has happened to all my Shimano clutch mechs over time.
Have you tried a screw with a bigger head? 😆
Mine's gone the other way, over stiff when 'on', but usable when 'off'. The clutch mechanism is working ok, but something beyond the clutch is restricting the movement. Next thing to replace I guess.
I had an XT fail after approx. 3 months, the metal bar that the adjuster screw fits to snapped where the screw passes through it. CRC refunded it and I replaced it with a Zee which is currently working fine.
@ps44
sounds like what mine did, the main pivot got stiff. It's held in by o-rings and needs to be clean and greased up to turn freely.
Check out the vid on one-up components for opening up the back of the mech.
My adjuster bar thingy snapped after about a month, very poor design, so I fashioned a bit of plastic that wedges in there and does a betterer job. Been fine for the last 2 months+.
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Have you tried a screw with a bigger head?
😆
Phil stop picking on Will.
His head doesn't look that small to me. 😉
My tension spring snapped after about two months.
Not sure how well they test anything these days?
My first one lasted, well, from when XT clutchy mechs were launched up until this August. Got it replaced no bother, they're obviously quite used to it. If I could buy a wee bag of the thingers I would.
Thing is, even when it breaks, the mech still works perfectly well so it's more forgivable to have an extra function which may be delicate, compared to a critical one.
I replaced it with a Zee which is currently working fine.
Give it time, Ive went through 2 in the last 6 month, bending for no apparent reason 🙂
I'm averaging 4-6 months for a clutch mech mechanism. Luckily all my LBS's are aware of the design's shortcomings you you can pick up a replacement 'stabilizer unit' for about $20 (GBP 10).
Cheers all - not just me then. Might try a warranty job, or...
Kiddaclo - looks like a good fix.
Cupid, listen to singlespeed.
Singlespeed - put down the binoculars.
Just had mine in bits to tighten up a bit. Ended up taking the friction band and the cam stabiliser parts right out, giving them a clean, tightening the adjuster while separate from the friction band and putting all back together. Got it wrong for a while as had cam stabiliser bit back to front 😳 but all sorted and working a treat !