[RBW] Re: Broken shifters

[Pam Bikes]

Please take pictures next time.  Of the before, during and after and how 
you get the press fit plate back on.  

Next, I'm trying to think of a padded sleeve to slip on the grip over the 
bar end when I put it on the train.  I'm hoping to cushion the blow and 
absorb the impact w/some foam like pipe insulation inside some pvc or 
cardboard tube to cover the bar end and the grip.  On the bright side, my 
XTR rapid rise rear derailer isn't getting broken.

On Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at 4:14:09 PM UTC-4 eric...@gmail.com wrote:

> My drive-side Silver 1 shifter quit holding tension last week. This was 
> after two years of regular use on my most-ridden bike, a Sam Hillborne. I 
> swapped the shifter for a Silver 2 and kept on riding. 
>
> Last night, inspired by this thread, I took my shifter apart. Apologies 
> ahead of time but I didn't take any pictures. The pawl and spring were 
> clogged up with cloudy white corrosion. The corrosion caused the spring to 
> seize and that lead to no movement in the pawl, disabling the ratchet. I 
> removed all the parts, brushed them with a brass parts cleaning brush and 
> rubbed the spring, pawl and inner parts with an oily rag. I haven't 
> re-installed the lever but the clicks have returned and it appears to be 
> working again. 
>
> Today I measured the spring with my calipers and ordered some replacement 
> springs in two different sizes. I had a hard time finding a perfect match 
> for the existing spring which appears to match imperial measurements. OD: 
> 1/8", overall length: 5/16". The wire gauge is 0.3mm. The springs I ordered 
> are very close to my shifter spring, one size is a little shorter, the 
> other is a little longer. I'll report back on which fits best. 
>
> I'm encouraged by my disassembly and feel confident these shifters are 
> repairable. Though I'm unaware of a source for replacement pawls. Are they 
> out there? 
>
> On Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at 8:19:49 PM UTC-4 Pam Bikes wrote:
>
>> [image: IMG_3819.JPG]
>>
>> On Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at 8:05:37 PM UTC-4 Pam Bikes wrote:
>>
>>> I took one apart.  It's missing the little spring.  Not sure where I can 
>>> find one.  If anyone has one, I'd like to try to fix this one.  The other 
>>> one I can't get apart to look at the innards but I think it was missing a 
>>> washer so maybe that was the problem.  I think maybe it needed more 
>>> friction to hold it together maybe?  I've already replaced it so I'll try 
>>> it next time.  
>>> On Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at 7:37:06 PM UTC-4 Pam Bikes wrote:
>>>
 I just want to fix them if possible.  I hate throwing stuff away.  
 These are definitely not set up errors as they were operable then after 
 several falls over the years they broke.  They would work for years then 
 break.  I can replace them and have but now I have several broken ones.  I 
 will take one apart and see what it looks like.  I didn't want to do more 
 damage than already.  I will find someone to help me.  Thanks all!
 On Monday, August 21, 2023 at 4:20:54 PM UTC-4 Bill Lindsay wrote:

> The OP has repeated that they are not mechanical.  The thing that 
> isn't clear to me is whether the OP wants to be mechanical.  If you have 
> a 
> bunch of broken shifters, and want to learn how mechanical people 
> visualize 
> a mechanism working and how they use that knowledge to diagnose and 
> remedy 
> failures, then it sounds like the OP needs a mechanical mentor.  You 
> should 
> find somebody who you trust and who is generous with their time and want 
> to 
> describe their process to you.  Have them take one apart with you 
> watching.  Have them explain what they are seeing and what they think 
> they 
> want to do to fix your shifter(s), or tell you they are all hosed and 
> throw 
> them away.  It's hard to be a mentor over a google group.  Mentorship 
> happens in-person.  
>
> If you can't find or don't want to find a mentor, maybe you want 
> somebody to just try to fix them for you so you don't have to think about 
> it?  Again, that person should be somebody you trust, so if they say 
> "these 
> are hosed" you won't feel like it's a waste throwing them out.  Again, it 
> would be nice if it was somebody who was either generous or owed you a 
> favor so that if they succeed, it's free, and if they fail, it's still 
> free.  People who work on things for a living are usually $50/hr to 
> $100/hr 
> pros and there's no way this project will be worth paying a pro what they 
> deserve to be paid.  Maybe there's a volunteer here who you'd mail your 
> shifters to, and they can mail them back fixed.  
>
> I don't know this for certain, but I think there's a non-zero chance 
> that they are not even broken.  The symptom described could be just a 
> setup 
> issue, as I understand it.  The 

[RBW] Re: Broken shifters

[Eric Marth]

My drive-side Silver 1 shifter quit holding tension last week. This was 
after two years of regular use on my most-ridden bike, a Sam Hillborne. I 
swapped the shifter for a Silver 2 and kept on riding. 

Last night, inspired by this thread, I took my shifter apart. Apologies 
ahead of time but I didn't take any pictures. The pawl and spring were 
clogged up with cloudy white corrosion. The corrosion caused the spring to 
seize and that lead to no movement in the pawl, disabling the ratchet. I 
removed all the parts, brushed them with a brass parts cleaning brush and 
rubbed the spring, pawl and inner parts with an oily rag. I haven't 
re-installed the lever but the clicks have returned and it appears to be 
working again. 

Today I measured the spring with my calipers and ordered some replacement 
springs in two different sizes. I had a hard time finding a perfect match 
for the existing spring which appears to match imperial measurements. OD: 
1/8", overall length: 5/16". The wire gauge is 0.3mm. The springs I ordered 
are very close to my shifter spring, one size is a little shorter, the 
other is a little longer. I'll report back on which fits best. 

I'm encouraged by my disassembly and feel confident these shifters are 
repairable. Though I'm unaware of a source for replacement pawls. Are they 
out there? 

On Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at 8:19:49 PM UTC-4 Pam Bikes wrote:

> [image: IMG_3819.JPG]
>
> On Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at 8:05:37 PM UTC-4 Pam Bikes wrote:
>
>> I took one apart.  It's missing the little spring.  Not sure where I can 
>> find one.  If anyone has one, I'd like to try to fix this one.  The other 
>> one I can't get apart to look at the innards but I think it was missing a 
>> washer so maybe that was the problem.  I think maybe it needed more 
>> friction to hold it together maybe?  I've already replaced it so I'll try 
>> it next time.  
>> On Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at 7:37:06 PM UTC-4 Pam Bikes wrote:
>>
>>> I just want to fix them if possible.  I hate throwing stuff away.  These 
>>> are definitely not set up errors as they were operable then after several 
>>> falls over the years they broke.  They would work for years then break.  I 
>>> can replace them and have but now I have several broken ones.  I will take 
>>> one apart and see what it looks like.  I didn't want to do more damage than 
>>> already.  I will find someone to help me.  Thanks all!
>>> On Monday, August 21, 2023 at 4:20:54 PM UTC-4 Bill Lindsay wrote:
>>>
 The OP has repeated that they are not mechanical.  The thing that isn't 
 clear to me is whether the OP wants to be mechanical.  If you have a bunch 
 of broken shifters, and want to learn how mechanical people visualize a 
 mechanism working and how they use that knowledge to diagnose and remedy 
 failures, then it sounds like the OP needs a mechanical mentor.  You 
 should 
 find somebody who you trust and who is generous with their time and want 
 to 
 describe their process to you.  Have them take one apart with you 
 watching.  Have them explain what they are seeing and what they think they 
 want to do to fix your shifter(s), or tell you they are all hosed and 
 throw 
 them away.  It's hard to be a mentor over a google group.  Mentorship 
 happens in-person.  

 If you can't find or don't want to find a mentor, maybe you want 
 somebody to just try to fix them for you so you don't have to think about 
 it?  Again, that person should be somebody you trust, so if they say 
 "these 
 are hosed" you won't feel like it's a waste throwing them out.  Again, it 
 would be nice if it was somebody who was either generous or owed you a 
 favor so that if they succeed, it's free, and if they fail, it's still 
 free.  People who work on things for a living are usually $50/hr to 
 $100/hr 
 pros and there's no way this project will be worth paying a pro what they 
 deserve to be paid.  Maybe there's a volunteer here who you'd mail your 
 shifters to, and they can mail them back fixed.  

 I don't know this for certain, but I think there's a non-zero chance 
 that they are not even broken.  The symptom described could be just a 
 setup 
 issue, as I understand it.  The mechanic who does the diagnosis would be 
 able to be conclusive on that.  

 If you do decide your shifters are hosed, I recommend you upcycle them 
 into key chains.  Shift levers make great keychains.  

 Bill Lindsay
 El Cerrito, CA

 On Monday, August 21, 2023 at 1:00:15 PM UTC-7 Pam Bikes wrote:

> Thanks all for your comments.  I think it's the press fit thing that 
> holds it together but I haven't gone beyond that.  I'll take one apart 
> and 
> see.  I'm not mechanical so who would be able to put a screw in there for 
> me?  I just need to know what to ask for.  I can see the press fit thing 

[RBW] Re: Broken shifters

[Pam Bikes]

I took one apart.  It's missing the little spring.  Not sure where I can 
find one.  If anyone has one, I'd like to try to fix this one.  The other 
one I can't get apart to look at the innards but I think it was missing a 
washer so maybe that was the problem.  I think maybe it needed more 
friction to hold it together maybe?  I've already replaced it so I'll try 
it next time.  
On Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at 7:37:06 PM UTC-4 Pam Bikes wrote:

> I just want to fix them if possible.  I hate throwing stuff away.  These 
> are definitely not set up errors as they were operable then after several 
> falls over the years they broke.  They would work for years then break.  I 
> can replace them and have but now I have several broken ones.  I will take 
> one apart and see what it looks like.  I didn't want to do more damage than 
> already.  I will find someone to help me.  Thanks all!
> On Monday, August 21, 2023 at 4:20:54 PM UTC-4 Bill Lindsay wrote:
>
>> The OP has repeated that they are not mechanical.  The thing that isn't 
>> clear to me is whether the OP wants to be mechanical.  If you have a bunch 
>> of broken shifters, and want to learn how mechanical people visualize a 
>> mechanism working and how they use that knowledge to diagnose and remedy 
>> failures, then it sounds like the OP needs a mechanical mentor.  You should 
>> find somebody who you trust and who is generous with their time and want to 
>> describe their process to you.  Have them take one apart with you 
>> watching.  Have them explain what they are seeing and what they think they 
>> want to do to fix your shifter(s), or tell you they are all hosed and throw 
>> them away.  It's hard to be a mentor over a google group.  Mentorship 
>> happens in-person.  
>>
>> If you can't find or don't want to find a mentor, maybe you want somebody 
>> to just try to fix them for you so you don't have to think about it?  
>> Again, that person should be somebody you trust, so if they say "these are 
>> hosed" you won't feel like it's a waste throwing them out.  Again, it would 
>> be nice if it was somebody who was either generous or owed you a favor so 
>> that if they succeed, it's free, and if they fail, it's still free.  People 
>> who work on things for a living are usually $50/hr to $100/hr pros and 
>> there's no way this project will be worth paying a pro what they deserve to 
>> be paid.  Maybe there's a volunteer here who you'd mail your shifters to, 
>> and they can mail them back fixed.  
>>
>> I don't know this for certain, but I think there's a non-zero chance that 
>> they are not even broken.  The symptom described could be just a setup 
>> issue, as I understand it.  The mechanic who does the diagnosis would be 
>> able to be conclusive on that.  
>>
>> If you do decide your shifters are hosed, I recommend you upcycle them 
>> into key chains.  Shift levers make great keychains.  
>>
>> Bill Lindsay
>> El Cerrito, CA
>>
>> On Monday, August 21, 2023 at 1:00:15 PM UTC-7 Pam Bikes wrote:
>>
>>> Thanks all for your comments.  I think it's the press fit thing that 
>>> holds it together but I haven't gone beyond that.  I'll take one apart and 
>>> see.  I'm not mechanical so who would be able to put a screw in there for 
>>> me?  I just need to know what to ask for.  I can see the press fit thing 
>>> coming apart.  But maybe the spring is the problem.  I have several so I'll 
>>> sacrifice one.  I'd like to be able to repair them.  Thanks again!
>>>
>>>
>>> On Saturday, August 19, 2023 at 4:31:45 PM UTC-4 maxcr wrote:
>>>
 Take a look at page 61 of the 2006 Rivendell catalog 
 
  - 
 I imagine that spring can give up? If that's the problem, maybe there a 
 way 
 to buy a spare from Grainger or something like that?
 Max
 [image: shifter.jpg]

 On Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at 4:26:45 PM UTC-4 Garth wrote:

> So I watched the video ... too bad they didn't show then removing the 
> cover. If wd-40 doesn't work I'd still remove the cover and inspect the 
> innards. This isn't a jet engine !  The cover may press back in or take a 
> little finagling. The head of the rivet may need sheered off, I can't say 
> for sure what it is as the Suntours I have screws. TMI here but . If 
> you're handy with a drill you could use a drill and drill a small hole in 
> the center of the riven and tap it for a small screw. You'd have to go to 
> hardware store to find one. That may seem like a lot of work for a 
> shifter, 
> maybe not, it depends on how much one likes to monkey around  
> heeheeehee. Gitarzan baby !  If anyone catches what that word refers to 
> word, you get a cookie ! 
>
> I also note that in the video they show the lever being tightened, and 
> tightened again, like really tight. I've never tightened any of these 
> levers 

[RBW] Re: Broken shifters

[Pam Bikes]

I just want to fix them if possible.  I hate throwing stuff away.  These 
are definitely not set up errors as they were operable then after several 
falls over the years they broke.  They would work for years then break.  I 
can replace them and have but now I have several broken ones.  I will take 
one apart and see what it looks like.  I didn't want to do more damage than 
already.  I will find someone to help me.  Thanks all!
On Monday, August 21, 2023 at 4:20:54 PM UTC-4 Bill Lindsay wrote:

> The OP has repeated that they are not mechanical.  The thing that isn't 
> clear to me is whether the OP wants to be mechanical.  If you have a bunch 
> of broken shifters, and want to learn how mechanical people visualize a 
> mechanism working and how they use that knowledge to diagnose and remedy 
> failures, then it sounds like the OP needs a mechanical mentor.  You should 
> find somebody who you trust and who is generous with their time and want to 
> describe their process to you.  Have them take one apart with you 
> watching.  Have them explain what they are seeing and what they think they 
> want to do to fix your shifter(s), or tell you they are all hosed and throw 
> them away.  It's hard to be a mentor over a google group.  Mentorship 
> happens in-person.  
>
> If you can't find or don't want to find a mentor, maybe you want somebody 
> to just try to fix them for you so you don't have to think about it?  
> Again, that person should be somebody you trust, so if they say "these are 
> hosed" you won't feel like it's a waste throwing them out.  Again, it would 
> be nice if it was somebody who was either generous or owed you a favor so 
> that if they succeed, it's free, and if they fail, it's still free.  People 
> who work on things for a living are usually $50/hr to $100/hr pros and 
> there's no way this project will be worth paying a pro what they deserve to 
> be paid.  Maybe there's a volunteer here who you'd mail your shifters to, 
> and they can mail them back fixed.  
>
> I don't know this for certain, but I think there's a non-zero chance that 
> they are not even broken.  The symptom described could be just a setup 
> issue, as I understand it.  The mechanic who does the diagnosis would be 
> able to be conclusive on that.  
>
> If you do decide your shifters are hosed, I recommend you upcycle them 
> into key chains.  Shift levers make great keychains.  
>
> Bill Lindsay
> El Cerrito, CA
>
> On Monday, August 21, 2023 at 1:00:15 PM UTC-7 Pam Bikes wrote:
>
>> Thanks all for your comments.  I think it's the press fit thing that 
>> holds it together but I haven't gone beyond that.  I'll take one apart and 
>> see.  I'm not mechanical so who would be able to put a screw in there for 
>> me?  I just need to know what to ask for.  I can see the press fit thing 
>> coming apart.  But maybe the spring is the problem.  I have several so I'll 
>> sacrifice one.  I'd like to be able to repair them.  Thanks again!
>>
>>
>> On Saturday, August 19, 2023 at 4:31:45 PM UTC-4 maxcr wrote:
>>
>>> Take a look at page 61 of the 2006 Rivendell catalog 
>>> 
>>>  - 
>>> I imagine that spring can give up? If that's the problem, maybe there a way 
>>> to buy a spare from Grainger or something like that?
>>> Max
>>> [image: shifter.jpg]
>>>
>>> On Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at 4:26:45 PM UTC-4 Garth wrote:
>>>
 So I watched the video ... too bad they didn't show then removing the 
 cover. If wd-40 doesn't work I'd still remove the cover and inspect the 
 innards. This isn't a jet engine !  The cover may press back in or take a 
 little finagling. The head of the rivet may need sheered off, I can't say 
 for sure what it is as the Suntours I have screws. TMI here but . If 
 you're handy with a drill you could use a drill and drill a small hole in 
 the center of the riven and tap it for a small screw. You'd have to go to 
 hardware store to find one. That may seem like a lot of work for a 
 shifter, 
 maybe not, it depends on how much one likes to monkey around  
 heeheeehee. Gitarzan baby !  If anyone catches what that word refers to 
 word, you get a cookie ! 

 I also note that in the video they show the lever being tightened, and 
 tightened again, like really tight. I've never tightened any of these 
 levers like that since my first pair in 1983, which I still have and are 
 working. I only tighten them enough to hold the shift, no more.. If it 
 doesn't hold the shift, I don't tighten it more from where it is, I loosen 
 it completely and then tighten it just a bit more than before. It's all by 
 feel, with finesse. 




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[RBW] Re: Broken shifters

[Bill Lindsay]

The OP has repeated that they are not mechanical.  The thing that isn't 
clear to me is whether the OP wants to be mechanical.  If you have a bunch 
of broken shifters, and want to learn how mechanical people visualize a 
mechanism working and how they use that knowledge to diagnose and remedy 
failures, then it sounds like the OP needs a mechanical mentor.  You should 
find somebody who you trust and who is generous with their time and want to 
describe their process to you.  Have them take one apart with you 
watching.  Have them explain what they are seeing and what they think they 
want to do to fix your shifter(s), or tell you they are all hosed and throw 
them away.  It's hard to be a mentor over a google group.  Mentorship 
happens in-person.  

If you can't find or don't want to find a mentor, maybe you want somebody 
to just try to fix them for you so you don't have to think about it?  
Again, that person should be somebody you trust, so if they say "these are 
hosed" you won't feel like it's a waste throwing them out.  Again, it would 
be nice if it was somebody who was either generous or owed you a favor so 
that if they succeed, it's free, and if they fail, it's still free.  People 
who work on things for a living are usually $50/hr to $100/hr pros and 
there's no way this project will be worth paying a pro what they deserve to 
be paid.  Maybe there's a volunteer here who you'd mail your shifters to, 
and they can mail them back fixed.  

I don't know this for certain, but I think there's a non-zero chance that 
they are not even broken.  The symptom described could be just a setup 
issue, as I understand it.  The mechanic who does the diagnosis would be 
able to be conclusive on that.  

If you do decide your shifters are hosed, I recommend you upcycle them into 
key chains.  Shift levers make great keychains.  

Bill Lindsay
El Cerrito, CA

On Monday, August 21, 2023 at 1:00:15 PM UTC-7 Pam Bikes wrote:

> Thanks all for your comments.  I think it's the press fit thing that holds 
> it together but I haven't gone beyond that.  I'll take one apart and see.  
> I'm not mechanical so who would be able to put a screw in there for me?  I 
> just need to know what to ask for.  I can see the press fit thing coming 
> apart.  But maybe the spring is the problem.  I have several so I'll 
> sacrifice one.  I'd like to be able to repair them.  Thanks again!
>
>
> On Saturday, August 19, 2023 at 4:31:45 PM UTC-4 maxcr wrote:
>
>> Take a look at page 61 of the 2006 Rivendell catalog 
>> 
>>  - 
>> I imagine that spring can give up? If that's the problem, maybe there a way 
>> to buy a spare from Grainger or something like that?
>> Max
>> [image: shifter.jpg]
>>
>> On Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at 4:26:45 PM UTC-4 Garth wrote:
>>
>>> So I watched the video ... too bad they didn't show then removing the 
>>> cover. If wd-40 doesn't work I'd still remove the cover and inspect the 
>>> innards. This isn't a jet engine !  The cover may press back in or take a 
>>> little finagling. The head of the rivet may need sheered off, I can't say 
>>> for sure what it is as the Suntours I have screws. TMI here but . If 
>>> you're handy with a drill you could use a drill and drill a small hole in 
>>> the center of the riven and tap it for a small screw. You'd have to go to 
>>> hardware store to find one. That may seem like a lot of work for a shifter, 
>>> maybe not, it depends on how much one likes to monkey around  
>>> heeheeehee. Gitarzan baby !  If anyone catches what that word refers to 
>>> word, you get a cookie ! 
>>>
>>> I also note that in the video they show the lever being tightened, and 
>>> tightened again, like really tight. I've never tightened any of these 
>>> levers like that since my first pair in 1983, which I still have and are 
>>> working. I only tighten them enough to hold the shift, no more.. If it 
>>> doesn't hold the shift, I don't tighten it more from where it is, I loosen 
>>> it completely and then tighten it just a bit more than before. It's all by 
>>> feel, with finesse. 
>>>
>>>
>>>

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[RBW] Re: Broken shifters

[Pam Bikes]

Thanks all for your comments.  I think it's the press fit thing that holds 
it together but I haven't gone beyond that.  I'll take one apart and see.  
I'm not mechanical so who would be able to put a screw in there for me?  I 
just need to know what to ask for.  I can see the press fit thing coming 
apart.  But maybe the spring is the problem.  I have several so I'll 
sacrifice one.  I'd like to be able to repair them.  Thanks again!


On Saturday, August 19, 2023 at 4:31:45 PM UTC-4 maxcr wrote:

> Take a look at page 61 of the 2006 Rivendell catalog 
> 
>  - 
> I imagine that spring can give up? If that's the problem, maybe there a way 
> to buy a spare from Grainger or something like that?
> Max
> [image: shifter.jpg]
>
> On Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at 4:26:45 PM UTC-4 Garth wrote:
>
>> So I watched the video ... too bad they didn't show then removing the 
>> cover. If wd-40 doesn't work I'd still remove the cover and inspect the 
>> innards. This isn't a jet engine !  The cover may press back in or take a 
>> little finagling. The head of the rivet may need sheered off, I can't say 
>> for sure what it is as the Suntours I have screws. TMI here but . If 
>> you're handy with a drill you could use a drill and drill a small hole in 
>> the center of the riven and tap it for a small screw. You'd have to go to 
>> hardware store to find one. That may seem like a lot of work for a shifter, 
>> maybe not, it depends on how much one likes to monkey around  
>> heeheeehee. Gitarzan baby !  If anyone catches what that word refers to 
>> word, you get a cookie ! 
>>
>> I also note that in the video they show the lever being tightened, and 
>> tightened again, like really tight. I've never tightened any of these 
>> levers like that since my first pair in 1983, which I still have and are 
>> working. I only tighten them enough to hold the shift, no more.. If it 
>> doesn't hold the shift, I don't tighten it more from where it is, I loosen 
>> it completely and then tighten it just a bit more than before. It's all by 
>> feel, with finesse. 
>>
>>
>>

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[RBW] Re: Broken shifters

[Garth]

So I watched the video ... too bad they didn't show then removing the 
cover. If wd-40 doesn't work I'd still remove the cover and inspect the 
innards. This isn't a jet engine !  The cover may press back in or take a 
little finagling. The head of the rivet may need sheered off, I can't say 
for sure what it is as the Suntours I have screws. TMI here but . If 
you're handy with a drill you could use a drill and drill a small hole in 
the center of the riven and tap it for a small screw. You'd have to go to 
hardware store to find one. That may seem like a lot of work for a shifter, 
maybe not, it depends on how much one likes to monkey around  
heeheeehee. Gitarzan baby !  If anyone catches what that word refers to 
word, you get a cookie ! 

I also note that in the video they show the lever being tightened, and 
tightened again, like really tight. I've never tightened any of these 
levers like that since my first pair in 1983, which I still have and are 
working. I only tighten them enough to hold the shift, no more.. If it 
doesn't hold the shift, I don't tighten it more from where it is, I loosen 
it completely and then tighten it just a bit more than before. It's all by 
feel, with finesse. 


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[RBW] Re: Broken shifters

[Garth]

Pam, I have lots of Suntour Power shifters, both downtube and thumb 
versions and I've taken them all apart.. Those have a small screw that 
allows the user to get into the ratchet. They aren't replaceable, but like 
John mentioned you can flush and lube them with a light oil. I'm not sure 
if he's referring to just the washers or the ratchet itself, I'm referring 
to the rachet that's underneath the plate. From the photos of Riv versions 
do not have the screw, they seem press fit and where the screw was on the 
Suntour is what looks like a press fit sheered off rivet kind of thing. I'm 
not sure if you can use a screwdriver to pop that off or not, but what the 
heck, if they are unusable there's no harm in trying. I really doubt the 
ratchet mechanism is worn out. Gunked up, quite possibly, but not worn out. 
Even if you can't pop open the cover, you could try squirting some wd-40 in 
the seam and rotate it back and forth. That may be all it needs. Of course 
I'm not seeing and feeling them so all of this is based on my own hands on 
with the Suntour I have and dismantling them to get inside to see what's in 
there. Curiosity ! 

If the shifter is simply not holding a gear, as in not enough 
friction/pressure, you can also try adding another washer, which you'd have 
to go to hardware store with the shifter to find one about right. That may 
or may not help ! 

On Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at 9:05:13 AM UTC-4 JohnS wrote:

> Hello Pam,
>
> I had a problem with Suntour power shifters (ratchet mechanism just like 
> the Silvers) which caused the ratchet to not work, sounded like it was 
> grinding or slipping. I found that by taking the shifter apart, cleaning 
> the washers and applying a thin coat of light oil helped. Worth a try. Not 
> sure if the oil is recommended or not, maybe someone else can chime in.
>
> Good luck,
> JohnS
>
> On Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at 4:29:08 PM UTC-4 Pam Bikes wrote:
>
>> I have several broken Silver shifters.  The power ratchet doesn't work 
>> any more.  My question is if I can get a part to fix the ratchet.  If not, 
>> should I throw them in the metal recycling or is there anything I can use 
>> later?  I'm not a mechanical person.  I just know the ratchet wouldn't hold 
>> after I replaced the plastic washer and when I put a new shifter on, it 
>> worked.  
>
>

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[RBW] Re: Broken shifters

[JohnS]

If that doesn't help, you could repurpose them as key chains. I did that 
with some old Campy down tube shifters recently.

JohnS

On Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at 9:05:13 AM UTC-4 JohnS wrote:

> Hello Pam,
>
> I had a problem with Suntour power shifters (ratchet mechanism just like 
> the Silvers) which caused the ratchet to not work, sounded like it was 
> grinding or slipping. I found that by taking the shifter apart, cleaning 
> the washers and applying a thin coat of light oil helped. Worth a try. Not 
> sure if the oil is recommended or not, maybe someone else can chime in.
>
> Good luck,
> JohnS
>
> On Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at 4:29:08 PM UTC-4 Pam Bikes wrote:
>
>> I have several broken Silver shifters.  The power ratchet doesn't work 
>> any more.  My question is if I can get a part to fix the ratchet.  If not, 
>> should I throw them in the metal recycling or is there anything I can use 
>> later?  I'm not a mechanical person.  I just know the ratchet wouldn't hold 
>> after I replaced the plastic washer and when I put a new shifter on, it 
>> worked.  
>
>

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[RBW] Re: Broken shifters

[JohnS]

Hello Pam,

I had a problem with Suntour power shifters (ratchet mechanism just like 
the Silvers) which caused the ratchet to not work, sounded like it was 
grinding or slipping. I found that by taking the shifter apart, cleaning 
the washers and applying a thin coat of light oil helped. Worth a try. Not 
sure if the oil is recommended or not, maybe someone else can chime in.

Good luck,
JohnS

On Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at 4:29:08 PM UTC-4 Pam Bikes wrote:

> I have several broken Silver shifters.  The power ratchet doesn't work any 
> more.  My question is if I can get a part to fix the ratchet.  If not, 
> should I throw them in the metal recycling or is there anything I can use 
> later?  I'm not a mechanical person.  I just know the ratchet wouldn't hold 
> after I replaced the plastic washer and when I put a new shifter on, it 
> worked.  

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