Replacing 12-speed XT derailleur (with broken clutch lever) with SLX

I’m trying to help my friend to find a replacement rear derailleur for her broken ‘Shimano XT RD-M8100-SGS, ShadowPlus, 12-Speed’ that came fitted new on her 2020 Cube Sting WS 140 HPC Race.

The clutch lever on the derailleur no longer engages (it just flops around loosely), so I presume that there’s no economic fix for it other than a replacement (please correct me if I’m wrong!!!).

I don’t see any point wasting money on another XT derailleur, so I figured that an SLX replacement would do the job.

I presume that the ‘Shimano SLX RD-M7100-SGS’ model should be compatible. However, going through different online shops, I’ve noticed that two different photos come up for this specific model:

This is the first (which is consistent with the picture on the Shimano website):

…and this is the other picture (maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t see a clutch lever on this one and the cage appears to be suspiciously short for an SGS – on top of that, I can’t reconcile it with anything in the SLX line-up on the Shimano website):

What’s the difference between the two?

Appreciate your thoughts on the matter – thanks in advance!

YouTube service – take it apart and have a look. Personally I often don’t bother having the clutch on, it seems the NW chainring does the heavy lifting when it comes to chain retention. Give it to me rather than bin it!

The clutch is adjustable, serviceable and replaceable. Unless you need a spare that’s unavailable, you shouldn’t need to replace it.

instructions here:-https://si.shimano.com/api/publish/storage/pdf/en/dm/MARD001/DM-MARD001-04-ENG.pdf

exploded diagram with part nos here:-https://si.shimano.com/api/publish/storage/pdf/en/ev/RD-M8100/EV-RD-M8100-4518A.pdf

That second picture looks like it’s been taken from a higher angle, also could be a bad photoshop and has cut the clutch lever out?

Like @montgomery has said, undo the screws on the clutch cover and have a gander at the internals. 12spd Clutch Service

You can buy a whole new clutch for 15-20 quid (“Chain stabiliser” is what Shimano call them), so even if it’s completely borked that’s cheaper than a new mech.

The second one is for a double ring setup, (remember them?) and has no clutch because double ring.

This one

The second one is for a double ring setup, (remember them?) and has no clutch because double ring.

That’s what I also thought at first, but it looks very different to the one in the link that you shared…

If the lever is loose then it’s possible that the plastic mounting where the adjustment screw is held in place has come away. If so that is a warranty issue potentially depending on how long she’s had it. The plastic is part of the mech and not replaceable but as above though, the rest of it is replaceable. Take the top off carefully so no broken bits fall out and get lost and have a look. Post pics of the insides….

Shimano mech clutches are very easy to adjust, service and replace.