Rear Derailleur - Lower Jockey Wheel Screw Loose

[Deleted member 35268]

I have a rather high mileage 9 speed Shimano Ultegra Rear Derailleur and the Lower Jockey Wheel retaining screw will not tighten or bite.

As a result, the jockey wheel was only held by the one (outer) side and was not locked in to the inner side.

It had worked loose.

If I remove the lower jockey wheel altogether (for the purposes of seeing what is wrong) I can tighten the screw, but with the jockey wheel in place - the first few turns of the thread have worn down and stripped.

I've tried different screws.

Should I just replace the mech, or just the side of the cage - or is it scrap ?

We are only talking a tenner for a replacement.

thanks

 

[vickster]

I’d get a new one if it’s done good service and there’s little price difference

 

[Brandane]

My suggestion, as a short term bodge (or leave it as long term depending how anal about your bike you might be) would be to use a self locking nut and bolt of a suitable diameter and length. Effectively you are using the nut as a replacement for the threads on the cage, and the bolt will need to be slightly longer than the existing one to reach the nut threads. Not too long of course, or it might foul the spokes in the bigger sprockets!
Edit - or put the nut to the outside, away from the wheel....

 

[fossyant]

See what the thread is like on the inner cage. You can buy longer Jockey wheel bolts. Had this issue with a SRAM mech - the lower jockey bolt wasn't long enough for my liking - never went all the way through the inner cage, so ordered longer ones off SJS Cycles - now sorted.

 

[Deleted member 35268]

I did think about adding a nut the other side. I will give it a go, failing that I will replace the whole mech

 

[Ajax Bay]

Replacing the screw with a bolt 3mm longer and, as @Brandane said, a self-locking (ie nyloc or similar) nut will do in the short term. Have a care not to compress the cage plates against the tension jockey wheel bushings/side. The nut will not threaten the spokes since it's at the bottom of the cage. There's been a recent thread on here on replacing a cage, if that's the OP's preferred way to go rather than taking @vickster's advice to replace the RD.

 

[Colin Grigson]

For the sake of £10 just buy a new one .... your time messing about with it must be worth more than that, if it fails subsequently while you’re out you’ll be spitting blood - I know I would.

 

[Ajax Bay]

Link to a Shimano 9sp road RD for £10 please, @Colin Grigson
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-sora-r3000-9-speed-rear-derailleur
My experience is that you'll do well to get one off the bay for less than £20
https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/1008066557?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/shimano-105-rear-derailleur-9-Speed-RD-5501/265071016365?
Can't tell want length cage either of those have.
This is a SS: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Shimano-...ar-road-mech-Cycling-Bikes-Road/164731714502?

 

[Ajax Bay]

Sorry, @Colin Grigson . I now see the OP suggested 'a tenner' for a replacement. Make that 'vingt+'.

 

[Colin Grigson]

Sorry, @Colin Grigson . I now see the OP suggested 'a tenner' for a replacement. Make that 'vingt+'.

Yeah, that was my understanding ..... I thought ‘wow - that’s cheap’

 

[Deleted member 35268]

Link to a Shimano 9sp road RD for £10 please, @Colin Grigson
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-sora-r3000-9-speed-rear-derailleur
My experience is that you'll do well to get one off the bay for less than £20
https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/1008066557?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/shimano-105-rear-derailleur-9-Speed-RD-5501/265071016365?
Can't tell want length cage either of those have.
This is a SS: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Shimano-...ar-road-mech-Cycling-Bikes-Road/164731714502?

Lets see how I get on.

 

[si_c]

You could just get these no?

 

[Ajax Bay]

I believe part/most of the thread has 'gone' in the inner cage plate(?<1.5mm thick) @si_c .

 

[si_c]

I believe part/most of the thread has 'gone' in the inner cage plate(?<1.5mm thick) @si_c .

Ah ok i misunderstood and thought the bolt had gone - there is very little thread on the cage itself.

 

[Deleted member 35268]

You could just get these no?

I tried another bolt, it is the cage thread that is toast