[Serial Midget]

These are 2001 XT 9sp shifters. The thumb shifter no longer returns on its own – you have to pull it back. Once you pull it back it shifts fine – just no return. The finger lever seems to work fine. What will I need to do to clean this up? Am I correct in thinking the pod is the problem and not the RD? Anyone help or tips would be appreciated… I haven’t opened it up yet, hoping for tips first. I’ve been riding in dusty conditions lately so it has gotten progressively worse.

Thanks – the Midget.

 

[ant:]

carefully disassemble it...

look for anything that seems out of place or broken and clean all the parts... then put it back together again...

Most likely the spring slipped or there is some grit jammign it up...

lay the pieces out on a towel so you dont lose any...

 

[LukeD]

sometimes all you have to do when that happens is lossen up the bolt which clamps the shifter onto the bars and move it slightly away from the brake lever and grip. working in a shop for a few years i have found that sometimes all the tension between the lever and shifter cause this....not sure how exactly, i never see anything forcing the shifter from returning but usually that little trick works most of the time. strange i know but worth a shot before u take the shifter apart (those can be a b!tch)

 

[Serial Midget]

Well I did open it up and look inside - spotless.

I put it back together and now it works great... so moving it from the brake lever must have done the trick...

Thanks - A Greatful Midget.

 

[Merwin5_10]

Chunk it, buy a new one.

Seems overly simple, but hey, you've seen the inside of these things. They're a pain in the arse to reassemble. It sounds like you've broken one o the TIIIIIINNNY pins that holds the spring in place that causes the lever to return.

 

[disclosednot]

also consider replacing the cables. I kinked a cable on a drop and it caused this exact behavior. Adjusting tension fixed it for a while but replacing cables was the long term fix.

 

[JimmyPistons]

Hey I know this is a far fetched Idea and there are probably folks out there who would disagree but, If you have access to some stuff called Bike Aid take off the bottom cap to your shifter and douse the area liberally. It lubricates all of the necessary parts.
Dont forget that when you put that cover back on there may be some of the fluid outside of the shifter make sure to wipe it down and you will be good to go.

 

[rstrange1]

Throw it away and buy a Rocky Mountain Bicycle.

 

[Ranger]

Servus!

Originally posted by Merwin5_10
Chunk it, buy a new one.

Seems overly simple, but hey, you've seen the inside of these things. They're a pain in the arse to reassemble. It sounds like you've broken one o the TIIIIIINNNY pins that holds the spring in place that causes the lever to return.

MERWIN!!!! I thought you were dead?!?!?!?!

 

[The Toninator]

Originally posted by Merwin5_10
Chunk it, buy a new one.

Seems overly simple, but hey, you've seen the inside of these things. They're a pain in the arse to reassemble. It sounds like you've broken one o the TIIIIIINNNY pins that holds the spring in place that causes the lever to return.

Holy crap!! he livesssssssss.

 

[The Toninator]

Oh i see your location now says austin did you move? werent you at RBM or SnS in dallas?

 

[Zonic Man]

Buy new ones, send those in for warranty to your LBS.

If it's a defect, shimano will replace it for you, and you have new shifters.

If it's not a defect, you BOUGHT new shifters and get the old ones back.

 

[thatoneguy]

I have seen this happen many times. It is usually the brake lever, like LukeD said. If you have crashed recently, it is possible that the thumb portion of the shifter gets bent into the release. I see you said it works, thought I would throw that out there just in case...

 

[Serial Midget]

Originally posted by thatoneguy
If you have crashed recently, it is possible that the thumb portion of the shifter gets bent into the release. I see you said it works, thought I would throw that out there just in case...

Recently??? Uh... yeah, but the tree hurt worse!