Amateur to working on bikes and this is my first full build. I’ve been able to trouble shoot everything up until this point, but I’m running into an issue I can’t seem to figure out myself or find the answer to online.
What I’m working with: 91 Marin palisades frame that I’m running as 1×7 with a new 40t narrow wide chainring, an older 28-12t Shimano cassette, a refurbished Shimano Deore DX derailleur, new SRAM pc971 chain, new Sunrace thumbie friction shifters, and new cables and housing.
Okay, so as I was setting up the derailleur and shift cables, I noticed the chain making a clicking sound as I pedaled forward. Doesn’t do it when pedaling backwards. Slowed down the revs and realized the chain is shifting slightly inward on the lower jockey every time it runs over. It’s more pronounced on the largest cog but does it a bit on the smallest as well.
I tried messing with the limit screws and the b screw on the derailleur and that didn’t help.
If I move the cage by hand it doesn’t do much either for the sound. The only thing that seems to work is if I put pressure on the chain with my finger toward the spokes as I turn forward, then it quiets down.
It shifts through the gears perfectly, and the alignment seems right with the limit screws and chain position everywhere else, it’s just the bottom jockey that’s having the issue.
I also tried to see if it looked like the cage is bent in any way, but it doesn’t seem to be (I definitely could be wrong about that).
The teeth on the cassette I think are fine, and the jockey wheel teeth look less dull than on my other bike which rides fine.
I’ve heard some people say with a clicking noise that they ended up with a fake chain or one with problems with the power link, but I don’t feel that that’s the issue (again could be wrong there).
Not sure what else to try to get the chain position into the right place so it doesn’t have to shift/jump a little when going through the lower jockey.
Any help you’d be greatly appreciated!!
Chain shifts and clicks on lower jockey
byu/dizzee_b inbikewrench
by dizzee_b
2 Comments
From the video it seems you jockey wheels in the derailleur seem to have too much play. They’re either missing spacers/bushings or too used up to work properly. You can buy pulley wheels separately and they’re not that expensive so i would try that first. Count how many teeth they have and how many speeds your cassette has to find the right ones.
Is it possible that the lower part of your derailleur is bent towards the wheel?