Front Shifter problems on Shimano Deore LX

[PeteMCornwall]

Hi
I wonder if I could have some advice, please? My bike's Shimano Deore LX front shifter will move the chain from the smallest to the middle ring, but when trying to move to the outside ring there is no pressure or movement unless I apply pressure to the leaver pushing it towards the handlebars as well as the normal push movent. Is this repairable, adjustment or do I need to replace the shifter?

Thank you in advance for opinions and help

 

[hookooekoo]

Need to take the dust cover off, and see if the pawl on the lever is engaging properly with the ratchet teeth.

Try looking at my shifter rebuild thread for an idea how it goes together and works, although yours might be different as it's LX not XT.

 

[kingbling]

Also check centre shifter bolt is tight LX and XT pretty similar internals

 

[hookooekoo]

Yep. If the nut is loose (underneath the dust cover), then there could be two problems.
1. The pawl on the shift lever/button won't engage the ratchet properly.
2. If the nut totally loosens and comes off, the entire shifter mechanism will come apart.

A loose nut might explain why it only works when the lever is pushed upwards towards the handlebar.

Best thing is to take off the dust cover, take some pictures, and myself or someone will show you what to look at and check over.

 

[PeteMCornwall]

Thank you both.
The centre bolt is tight and there is little play. Although when the bike is upside down and the dust cover is off, it seems to engage more.

Here are some photos:

 

[hookooekoo]

It's hard to see where the pawl and ratchet is on those pictures. Possibly it's a different design to my XT shifters.

I will post a picture of my shifter later, without any of the housing, so that all the parts can be seen.

 

[hookooekoo]

Check that the pawl moves freely on its pivot, and that the pawl spring is pushing against the teeth on the ratchet when you push the button. The picture shows the ratchet in the big-ring position (rotated as far anti-clockwise as it will go).

 

[hookooekoo]

 

[BrushedAluminium]

couple of youtube videos out there that show how to fix this, usually an easy fix

 

[PeteMCornwall]

Thank you both that is really useful I will have a go as soon as I get a spare moment.