RD not "springing" back...

[GuruAtma]

My XT rear derailleur is no longer "springing" back to take up the slack in the chain. I'm guessing there's an internal spring or something that pulls the bottom pulley towards the back of the bike, right?

Is this something I can easily adjust or fix, or is it time for a new RD? It's just over a year old...

Advice appreciated.

[dlacourse]

parktool.com/blog/repair-help/rear-derailler-adjustments-derailleur

I think you are interested in the B screw adjustment.

[AlexRandall]

There is a spring that pulls the cage backwards and keeps tension on the chain. This is kept in the bulge at the top jockey wheel. The spring either broken or has been dislodged from its pretensioning slots by the sounds of it. You'll need to take it back to where you got it from for fixing/warranty/or replacement depending on what the cause seems to be. If it was an online purchase you'd better just replace it as warranty is hard to get in those cases.

[jeffscott]

My XT rear derailleur is no longer "springing" back to take up the slack in the chain. I'm guessing there's an internal spring or something that pulls the bottom pulley towards the back of the bike, right?

Is this something I can easily adjust or fix, or is it time for a new RD? It's just over a year old...

Advice appreciated.

You can buy replacement spring kits...check Jensons....

Also if you ride in salt (winter or sea) it builds up in the spring and slows them down...

Grit can get in there also.

Although one year is not the likely time frame....I ride in very difficult conditions winter etc....My RD is 5 years old (I replaced one spring at 3 years and the other one at 4 years.

[shiggy]

My XT rear derailleur is no longer "springing" back to take up the slack in the chain. I'm guessing there's an internal spring or something that pulls the bottom pulley towards the back of the bike, right?

Is this something I can easily adjust or fix, or is it time for a new RD? It's just over a year old...

Advice appreciated.

Is it a Shadow version? They can get "sprung" and lock in a pulled back position. Just pull it forward again and you would be fine.

[GuruAtma]

It is a shadow version, but it's shot. I took it to the LBS, and they'll do a warranty replacement for free

So for today it's the commuter bike and a family bike ride with trailer and tag-a-long

Thanks for the info

[Dirty Bastard]

did you recently put a new chain on and forget to cut it??