Screw and Snap Ring Reliability

Reliability is critical on a derailleur assembly, and there are 2 types of fasteners to give care to during your rebuild.

Threaded fasteners. Always use threadlocking compound (such as blue loctite) on the threads of every threaded fastener. Always use the proper torque specs, which we include in the assembly diagrams that ship with the product. You can also find the PDF versions of the diagrams on the product pages.

The SRAM B screw on their derailleurs is notorious for coming loose and allowing the adjustment to go out. For this, we recommend to back the fastener almost completely out, apply threadlocker to the length of the threads, and let it dry. Then thread it back in and make the adjustment. We do not recommend setting the adjustment with wet threadlocking compound, because some threadlocking compounds can degrade the some types of plastic, and there is a plastic threadlocking part inside the thread (as well as aluminum threads). You could argue that the plastic material is not doing its job anyway so why bother, but we want to at least share the concern.

Snap rings. Do not over stretch snap rings when removing or installing them. If they are deformed even a little bit, they will not fit tight and reliable when they are reinstalled. We recommend re-using the SRAM snap rings if possible, but only if they are un-damaged and un-deformed after you remove them. The Madrone snap rings work fine too, but the SRAM ones are slightly thicker and therefore slightly stronger. If they are over stretched or deformed when they are reinstalled, they will not be as reliable, and this can lead to bushings coming out and the links not shifting properly. We provide extra snap rings with our kits in case a couple are damaged or lost.

Lastly, make sure the snap rings are fully seated in the grooves during installation, and not resting on the slightly larger OD of the pins. Again, they will not be as reliable, and could come off the pins.