Ultegra front derailleur problem

XtotheZ

hi, im currently fitting new cables onto my ultegra shifter and on the shifter for the front derailleur the 'ball' at the end of the cable has jammed between the inside and a metal bit that moves when the shifter is shifted up onto the big chainring. Anyone have any ideas about how to fix this? or what I can take off to get it sorted? Ive tried poking it and wiggling it but its fairly well stuck. I understand this is a very vague description but its quite hard to explain
Any advice greatly appeciated
Thanks
Thomas

Mugser

This will sound fairly extreme but I experienced what I think was a similar problem a few weeks back and to free it out I had to drill into the shifter from above where the mechanism is to free the cable i,e give it an alternative exit route . I used a 2.5 or 3mm drill bit and went very gingerly I can assure you. I should have taken a few pics of it at the time.

XtotheZ

thanks, that might just work. Ill give it a try

NeedMoreGears

Could you try

1 - disconnect the inner cable from the derailleur to make sure there is no tension on it.

2 - remove the inner cable from all the outer sheaths except the one that goes into the shifter

3- put the shifter in the big ring position. Then push on the inner cable whilst releasing the shifter to the small ring

4 - If the above fails, in order of increasing potential for cutting yourself (seriously be careful)

(i) long nose pliers - could you grab the ball?

(ii) circlips pliers - could you get the bent end in behind the ball

(iii) tweezers or even a hook of some kind- again try get in behind the ball end

(iv) drilling a hole - http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index.php/t-826356.html

5 - take off the shifter and see can you push it out from the back

XtotheZ

Brilliant, its free again! Only had to drill 2 holes, there goes the 'new' ultegra shifter :S
Thanks for the help!