Anyone opened up a Di2 Front mech for servicing?

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WeightySteve
Posts: 291
Joined: Wed Jun 09, 2010 10:44 am

by WeightySteve

So one of my Di2 Front mechs has become noisy, shifting a bit sluggish and has a developed a bit of an annoying clicking when auto-trimming.

Bearing in mind its had about 10,000miles over 18 months in the worst kind of weather the UK has experienced in a century! So its well used and I'm not too upset if it needs replacing.

A fix may be possible, but I don't want to destroy it trying, as its currently working and usable.

There's a couple screws that seem to hold the casing for the motor internals on, indicating it could be possible to open this up, clean/lube it, work out what that click is (sounds like the motor is just trying to over trim and hitting a stopper or dropping of the end of a thread and looping round again. Or could be that its all one common problem and a motor mounting point has broke off, which would explain all of the symptoms.

Anyone took one apart before?

by Weenie


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WeightySteve
Posts: 291
Joined: Wed Jun 09, 2010 10:44 am

by WeightySteve

Ok,

So temptation got the better of me.

First, 2 mini screws and the biggie out, allows the cover to be gently seperated from the main body...

1.jpg


Next, slide off the clip-rings from both ends of the "push-rod" (for want of a better name)

2.jpg



Now, the motor body can be rotated around the motor end of said push rod...

3.jpg


Here all my problems are revealed. The click is not a click, its a dry creak. This rod end hinge joint has become practically seized. The motor is having a devilish time trying to force the rod around this joint, its dry creaking when attempting micro-steps, and is causing the motor to whine under extra load.

Lubed up this joint (and the lower one).

Slid the clips back on, rotate the motor body back into place. Case back on, 3 screws in.

Back on the bike and it sounds like new :)
Last edited by WeightySteve on Wed Sep 12, 2012 3:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.

goodboyr
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Location: Canada

by goodboyr

Chapeau to you!!!

This should be a sticky!!

SDP
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Location: uk
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by SDP

great work ..agree needs to be stickied

Snicks
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Joined: Sat Nov 12, 2011 8:33 am

by Snicks

you sir, have some serious b@11s

thisisatest
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Location: NoVA/DC

by thisisatest

i like how it took you all of an hour and one minute to post the first query, sit around waiting for nobody to reply, get antsy, take the der off your bike, take it apart, take pics, post all this new info. you and i must be related!

Doolop
Posts: 550
Joined: Wed Jul 08, 2009 9:19 pm

by Doolop

OP has all the traits I like in a cyclist.

1) Mechanical aptitude.

2) Understanding that certain components need to be maintained and replaced.

3) Ability to document what they did to fix an issue so that others can do the same.

A+

gregalfa
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Joined: Tue May 10, 2005 4:59 am

by gregalfa

:thumbup:
The Great CarboniO

natiedean24
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Location: Austin, Texas
Contact:

by natiedean24

Very good work!! Thanks for posting with pictures as I'm sure someone along the way will benefit.

bm0p700f
in the industry
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by bm0p700f

Well done sir :thumbup:

shadwell
Posts: 575
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2009 1:25 am
Location: Gold Coast Australia

by shadwell

Now forward to Shimano, and suggest they add a lube port to the external case...

Now do the rear mech... :thumbup:

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Powerful Pete
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Location: Lima, Peru and the Washington DC area - it's complicated.

by Powerful Pete

Stickied, at users' requests, and given the courage of the OP and the success in the "operation".

Nice work!
Road bike: Cervelo R3, Campagnolo Chorus/Record mix...
Supercommuter: Jamis Renegade...
Oldie but goodie: De Rosa Professional Slx, Campagnolo C-Record...
And you can call me Macktastik Honey Pete Kicks, thank you.

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sled driver
Posts: 18
Joined: Thu Jan 20, 2005 1:05 am
Location: Seattle, Washington

by sled driver

I had the chrome peel/flack off a section of my Di2 front derailleur cage. Called the Shimano rep & they sent me an advanced replacement.

All Di2 products are designed not be serviced in any way (no lube or solvent cleaning recommended)

Shimano offers a 3 year warranty on all Dura Ace components.

You definitely got your monies worth in miles & conditions used. Plus did a great job of troubleshooting & fixing the problem

As the years add up & the warranty is long expired I would diffidently take mine apart to see what makes it “tick” if it gave me problems.
2018 BMC Teammachine SLR01 DISC, R9170 Di2, Dura Ace R9170-C40-TL
2017 BMC R01 RoadMachine, R9170 Di2, Reynolds Attack
2015 GT Grade, Ultegra Di2, Reynolds ATR
2010 S Works Epic, Sram XX1, Carbon Roval Control SL

borja
Posts: 50
Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2012 1:36 am

by borja

well done!

btw, how far you have to dig to reach the electronics? Or is it sealed in plastic?

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
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maxxevv
Posts: 2012
Joined: Wed Feb 09, 2005 4:51 am

by maxxevv

That's something not many would venture into. Thanks for sharing. :thumbup:

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