Front-shifter adjuster screw won't shift

[swee'pea99]

Trying to adjust my front mech, but one of the two adjuster screws just won't turn.

The mech is a 105 unit on a little-used bike I got off ebay. I suspect it's never been adjusted since it was originally fitted. I'm trying to dribble Plus-Gas into it, but so far no joy. Just wondered if anyone out there might have any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[Born2die]

Don't leave it outside all alone for a week . Soak it in wd40 overnight if that fails apply some heat to it

 

[Tim Hall]

Is it under load? If so, is it possible to move the mech cage away from it by hand/yanking on the cable?

Give the Plus Gas lots of time to seep in. Make sure you have a correctly fitting screw driver - beware the Philips/cross head confusion.

 

[swee'pea99]

"the Philips/cross head confusion"? Aren't they the same thing?

 

[Tim Hall]

"the Philips/cross head confusion"? Aren't they the same thing?

No. See this article for more info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_screw_drives

 

[migrantwing]

Cross, Philips and Pozi are all different. Similar, but different.

 

[swee'pea99]

Blimey, that's complicated. Anyone know what type a 105 has?

 

[migrantwing]

Looks like my 105 is Philips, but it's slotted, too, so you can use a slotted driver if need be. The Screws are called Dual or Combination screws.

I always used to look at screws and drivers as Slotted and Cross, I endlessly chewed both screws and drivers up. Also, different size/thickness of heads of drivers makes a difference.

You can get decent sets from Aldi for around a fiver with all the Driver bits you'll ever need.

 

[swee'pea99]

'tis free! I think the PlusGas certainly helped, and with a larger slotted I managed to just break the lock...then it was of course plain sailing. Thanks all.

 

[HLaB]

I was going to suggest WD40 and leave overnight and unload the mech before trying again but you've sorted it

 

[swee'pea99]

Thanks but yup, it's sorted.