KevinF

Pushing the "big" shift lever (i.e., the brake lever) gives me nine audible "clicks" as I move towards the larger cogs.

However, pushing the small shift lever only gives me eight audible clicks as I move back down towards the smaller cogs. I can push the lever all I want and the chain won't move into the smallest cog.

I took the chain off and disconnected the shift cable to verify that the limit screws are still set correctly.

I've seen some suggestions about blasting WD-40 into the shift lever to "un sticky" it. Do you just squeeze the brake lever, point WD-40 in there and unload? "Too much is never enough" or should I be conservative?

Any other suggestions?

Homebrew01

I assume you still only get 8 clicks with the cable disconnected ?

Bjforrestal

Your ratchet is gumming up. See if you can get a light lubricant in there without disassembly. I just did it last night to my mtb was only givin me 5 clicks instead of 7 and each one I had to travel further and further to make the click. I used 3 in 1, now it works like a champ. I may be ostracized for using 3 in 1 but it worked very well. If it gums up again I will disassemble, clean and lubricate but no issues yet!

FBinNY 

First of all, I assume form the 9 clicks that you have a 10 speed system. If not, remember that there are always 1 fewer clicks than shift positions. (4 knuclels on your hand, 3 spaces between them). Otherwise read on.

Forget the derailleur for the moment, and shift the lever back and forth through it's range providing tension by drawing the wire away from the down tube like a bowstring. This will give you an instant read as to whether the lever is working right.

If the mechanism is right, and you have the right number of speeds, then odds are that you have the cable adjusted one position over. Shift back to high, and turn the adjuster inward (or reset cable at pinch bolt) until the RD shifts to high, then a bit more for a starting place. Shift the lever one position, and adjust the barrel until the RD shifts and fine tune the trim. It should shift correctly when you shift one more position, and so on down the line. Finally fine tune the trim for best shifting up and down among all sprockets except the inner and outermost, which are affected by limit screw settings.

KevinF

Thanks for the suggestions. Turns out that the cable was fraying inside the shifter. Once I managed to pull that out and put a new cable in, all was good again.

Bjforrestal

That'll do it too! Glad it all worked out

Kimmo

Yeah, from your description I didn't think it was gummy pawls; that'll consistently affect one lever or the other (or both), but in that case which clicks are affected is random.

Consistently failing to make a particular click is a clear indication it's something else, and if I'd pondered it long enough I probably would have guessed the frayed cable; it's a common enough issue.