105 STI RH shifter issue, cant get it working - help...

[TonyEnjoyD]

Hi all,

I am upgrading my groupset using a mix of new and used 105 5600/5700 parts.
The 105 right hand shifter is giving me loadsa grief insofar as...
It is fitted fine and the brake operates no problem at all, and when trying to shift/setup, when no gear cable is connected, it shifts up and down no problem at all - can hear it clicking away merrily.

Under load it seems very odd... I fit and clamp the cable no problem after aligning the rear mech onto the smallest cog on the cassette, ensuring that there is no slack in the cable.
Trying to shift, the lever clicks up merrily but the rear mech does not budge, then the shifter will not shift back down with either the cable taut or slack.
The other odd thing is that although the shifter clicks up, the rear mech doesn't budge, but when I am eventually able to tease the shifter back down a few clicks, the cable goes slack!

I took the existing cable out and put a new one in and it's the same except I now cant get the beggar out due to insufficient number of hands (need to aske the wife to help tonight!)

As far as I can see the cable nipple is correctly positioned and it's a brand new cable
The rear mech - when actuated by hand - shifts across the cassette no problem at all.

So...is it something I have missed, or do I need to replace the shifter or is it worth stripping and rebuilding it?

Thanks for any constructive responses
Tony.
p.s. - I have used the Sora Flightdeck STI's and been able to remove & replace them no problem.

 

[martint235]

Does the rear mech have on of those little grooves for the cable to run along? I had a similar problem to this setting up my SRAM Red cos I'd missed the groove out so everything was clicking but nothing was moving

 

[smutchin]

Yeah, sounds like the problem is more likely to be in the rear mech than the shifter. Is it clean? Could be sticking due to being clogged with dirt.

d.

 

[accountantpete]

That sounds as though you haven't tightened the cable at the rear mech end properly and you are pulling the cable through.

 

[TonyEnjoyD]

The rear mech and chain are brand spankin and the cassette was completely cleaned and de-greased.
The rear cable runs through a guide under the BB then into an outer cable on the chainstay looping over to the mech through another outer.
The odd one though as I mentioned, was that the shifter was doing the same thing even after disconnecting the cable at he mech and even pulling it completely out of the outers and guides so hanging loose.
I can only think it's the shifter itself which was used but fully operational and ratchets fine when no cable is inserted into the mech.

Tony

 

[smutchin]

OK, yes, it does sound like the shifter is the problem...

Is the ratchet working in both directions? My 105 front shifter (5601) went kaput recently. It wasn't clicking when shifting up but was clicking when shifting down. I dismantled it to investigate and discovered that a pawl had snapped so it wasn't ratcheting when shifting up...

Unfortunately, the part isn't replaceable, AFAICT. It still works as a brake lever, but not a gear lever.

d.

 

[martint235]

The rear mech and chain are brand spankin and the cassette was completely cleaned and de-greased.
The rear cable runs through a guide under the BB then into an outer cable on the chainstay looping over to the mech through another outer.
The odd one though as I mentioned, was that the shifter was doing the same thing even after disconnecting the cable at he mech and even pulling it completely out of the outers and guides so hanging loose.
I can only think it's the shifter itself which was used but fully operational and ratchets fine when no cable is inserted into the mech.

Tony

There's another guide groove on the under side of the mech, sorry if you are running the cable through this but you didn't mention it.

 

[martint235]

OK, yes, it does sound like the shifter is the problem...

Is the ratchet working in both directions? My 105 front shifter (5601) went kaput recently. It wasn't clicking when shifting up but was clicking when shifting down. I dismantled it to investigate and discovered that a pawl had snapped so it wasn't ratcheting when shifting up...

Unfortunately, the part isn't replaceable, AFAICT. It still works as a brake lever, but not a gear lever.

d.

Which side smutchin? As left hand 105 shifters have a tendency to break, I have a spare 10 speed right side one.

 

[smutchin]

Which side smutchin? As left hand 105 shifters have a tendency to break, I have a spare 10 speed right side one.

It's the left (front) shifter. Luckily, a cycling friend happened to be selling off a left-hand Ultegra shifter, so I've got a replacement - had my first ride since installing it yesterday and it works like a dream, really crisp, sharp shifting. Tempted to upgrade the right hand shifter to Ultegra now as well. Or would, if I had any money...

d.

 

[TonyEnjoyD]

There's another guide groove on the under side of the mech, sorry if you are running the cable through this but you didn't mention it.

I am not, to my knowledge the cable comes from the chainstay cable buide through the outer/noodle and into the mech.
Time to investigate

Tony

 

[TonyEnjoyD]

Which side smutchin? As left hand 105 shifters have a tendency to break, I have a spare 10 speed right side one.

It's the right hand main shifter.
If you can think of a price just in case...
Cheers
Tony

 

[Dave Davenport]

Have you tried just holding the cable under slight tension (not connected to the mech) and trying the shifter, it should obviously pull in / release as you operate it. If it doesn't, sounds like the shifter is U.S.

 

[martint235]

Sorry just been to check. There is no groove on the 105 mech, it's straight from the adjuster to the clamp that holds the cable.

I've never had to change the 105 cable and I just remembered screwing up the SRAM on by missing the groove. Apologies.

I'll have a look what condition the lever is in. I know it's fully working but it may be scraped and scratched.

 

[screenman]

Are you sure you have the cable through the correct hole in the gear selector on the brake lever? It is possible to miss this when fitting but still get the cable into the outer cable and run it.

 

[martint235]

Lever is missing some of the shiny plastic stuff that covers the silver bit where my fingers have rubbed it off. There's also a couple of scuffs.

If you want it PM me with what you think is a reasonable offer (I'm useless at putting a price on things!)