Installing Jab Ball Bearing Links
1. Preparation
Video
Video installation guide is here.
If you follow the video, make sure you have the items listed below.
Safety
- Safety glasses
- Recommended: Nitrile gloves
Tools
- Torque screwdriver
- 5.5mm socket
- Metric hex keys
Torque and Threadlocker
All fasteners require threadlocker and proper torque.
Torque and threadlocker specs are on this page.
Parts
- Ball bearing linkage update kit for Jab derailleur
Supplies
- Loctite 277 (or Loctite 263)
- Marine grease
- High strength threadlocker for pivot nuts (Red Loctite 277 or 263)
- Gummy threadlocker for limit screws, such as Wheel Fanatyk FIX
- Small brush
- Acetone (or isopropyl alcohol)
- Citrus degreaser
- Clean rags
Diagram
2. Remove Old Links
Remove Derailleur
Remove the Jab derailleur from the bike.
No need to break the chain. Remove the upper chain pulley and lower cage spacer, and the chain will come out of the derailleur.
Clean all dirt off the links, pivots, and surrounding areas.
Prepare Derailleur
Set the cage lock with a tool as shown.
Back the 2 limit screws out so the linkage can move through its full range. This makes disassembly and reassembly easier.
Remove Links
Remove the 4 M3 nuts from the link pivots.
Remove the 4 M3 screws from the link pivots.
Note: many torque screwdrivers aren't meant to be used in reverse. Use a regular screwdriver to remove the nuts.
Remove the links and all bushing parts from the 2 links.
3. Prepare New Links
Lay Out Parts
Locate the new links with ball bearings installed.
Lay out the new screws, nuts, top caps, and spacers.
Don't reuse the aluminum top caps. They will stop the ball bearing links from rotating freely. Use the stainless steel top caps included with the kit.
Grease Bearings & Add Spacers
Apply marine grease to each bearing shield.
2 links × 4 bearings × 2 sides per bearing = 16 shields.
Stick one stainless steel spacer to the inside of each bearing shield. The grease will hold them in place.
2 links × 4 locations per link = 8 locations.
4. Check Springs
Make sure the 2 linkage springs are still nested, and hooked completely through the holes on the derailleur.
If they are not hooked completely, these steps will help reinstall them.
Note: the springs don't take much force to install if held at the right orientation.
Nest the 2 springs, with hooks aligned.
Install the spring to the mounting bracket by holding it in the orientation shown. Then push the hooks through the hole.
The hooks should go all the way through the hole, ending as shown.
Install the spring to the clutch housing by holding it in the orientation shown. Then push the hooks through the hole.
The hooks should go all the way through the hole, ending as shown.
Make sure all 4 hooks are all the way through the holes, or the M3 screws can't be installed.
5. Install Links
Prepare Screws
Slide the stainless steel top caps onto each of the 4 screws.
There are three 30mm long screws and one 40mm long screw.
Inner Link, Rear Pivot
Begin on the inner link, in the rear pivot.
Locate the triangle-shaped protrusion (for the limit screw) on the inner link. It faces the rear, not the front.
Newer Jab (Raised Machined Areas)
In the next steps you will see spacers slid in between parts. If you have a newer Jab, you don't need these spacers. Newer Jabs have parts with raised machined areas, so the spacers aren't necessary. They look like this:
Slide the 30mm screw (with top cap) into the bearing, flush with the spacer. This holds the spacer in position.
Place the link over the hole and slide the screw partway into the hole.
Place a spacer on the tip of the screw.
With a 2nd M3 screw, position the screws in the bearings, flush with the spacers.
Then slide the link over the hole. The 2 screws hold the spacers in place.
Slide the pivot screw all the way in, capturing both spacers, and pushing the spare screw out.
Remaining Pivots
Repeat these steps for the other pivot of the inner link, using a 30mm screw with top cap.
Make sure the spring hooks stay fully engaged.
Repeat these steps for the rear pivot of the outer link, using the 40mm screw with top cap.
Repeat the steps for the last pivot.
6. Install Nuts
Add Outer Spacers
Make sure there is grease on the remaining bearing shields.
Place spacers over each of the 4 screw tips and seat them down to the bearings.
Clean Threads
Important: Use acetone (or IPA) and a clean rag. Clean the exposed threads and spacers completely to remove all grease and oil.
This is critical for threadlocker curing and for pivot reliability when the derailleur is in use.
Saturate the rag with acetone, then press it over the threads and rotate back and forth until all grease is removed. Do this for all 4 threads.
Apply Threadlocker
Important: Use a strong threadlocker for the nuts. We recommend Red Loctite 277 or 263, for the most reliable nut retention.
Apply threadlocker to all 4 screw threads in the amount shown.
Install Nuts
Install the 4 nuts with your fingers.
Tighten to the recommended torque for the most reliable nut retention. Tighter is not better.
Torque: 10 in-lb (1.1 Nm)
Wipe all excess threadlocker off the 4 locations with a rag.
Make sure no threadlocker is in contact with the aluminum link.
A bit of threadlocker visible under the nut is OK.
Wipe all excess grease off the pivots.
7. Install Limit Screws & Cam
Threadlock Limit Screws
Now is a good time to re-apply threadlocker to the 2 limit screws, so they stay in place but still allow adjustment.
We recommend Wheel Fanatyk FIX. Apply a light coat to the limit screw threaded holes or threads of the screws.
Let it dry overnight, then install.
You can also use boiled linseed oil, waiting for it to dry overnight, and then installing the 2 limit screws.
Install Limit Screws
Install the 2 limit screws.
Set the inner limit screw so the cage has clearance to the B screw, as shown.
Install Cam
Install the cam.
Reinstall Derailleur
You can now reinstall the derailleur.
Installation and adjustment instructions are here.
Done!
