Installing Jab Ball Bearing Links

Remove the Jab derailleur from the bike. There is no need to break the chain. You can 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.

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 will make disassembly and re-assembly easier.

Remove the four M3 nuts from the link pivots.

Remove four M3 screws from from the link pivots.

Note: Many torque screwdrivers are not intended to be used in reverse. To remove the nuts, we recommend to use a regular screwdriver.

Layout the new screws, nuts, top caps, and spacers.

Do not re-use the aluminum top caps. They will prevent the ball bearing links from rotating freely. You need to use the stainless steel ones included with the kit.

Locate the new links with ball bearings installed.

Make sure the 2 linkage springs are still nested, and hooked completely though the holes on the derailleur.

If they are not hooked completely, the following steps will help re-install them. Note: The springs do not take much force to install if they are held at the right orientation during the installation.

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 though the holes, or it will not be possible to install the M3 screws.

Slide the stainless steel top caps on each of the 4 screws.

There are three 30mm long screws and one 40mm long screw.

Begin on the inner link, in the rear pivot.

Locate the triangle shaped protrusion (for the limit screw) on the inner link. This is positioned to the rear, not the front.

Slide the 30mm screw (with stainless steel top cap installed) into the bearing and make it flush with the spacer. This will hold the spacer in position.

Place the link over the hole and slide the screw partially into the hole.

The other spacer might slide out of position so it is not centered in the hole, and you cannot slide the M3 screw all the way though the 2nd bearing.

Use a pick to re-center it as shown.

If the spacers will not fit easily in the gap, you can use another technique. (You can use this technique for all 4 pivots).

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 will hold the spacers in place, and allow you to apply a bit more force to position the link correctly.

Slide the pivot screw all the way in.

Repeat these steps for the other pivot of the inner link using a 30mm long screw with top cap installed.

Make sure the spring hooks remain fully engaged.

Repeat these steps for the rear pivot of the outer link using the 40mm long screw with top cap installed.

Now repeat the steps for the last pivot.

Make sure there is grease on the remaining bearing shields.

Place spacers over each of the 4 screws tips and seat them down to the bearings.

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 proper threadlocking compound curing and for reliability of the pivots when the derailleur is in use.

Saturate the rag with acetone, then press it over the threads and rotate back and forth until you are certain all grease is removed. Do this for all 4 threads.

Important:

Use a strong threadlocking compound for the nuts. We recommend Red Loctite 277, or 263. This will provide the most reliable retention of the nuts.

Apply the threadlocking compound to all 4 screw threads in the amount shown here.

Install the 4 nuts with your fingers.

We recommend to follow the torque setting of 8 in-lb (0.9 Nm) for the most reliable retention of the nuts. Tighter is not better.

Using a rag, wipe off all excess threadlocking compound from the 4 locations.

Make sure no threadlocking compound is in contact with the aluminum link. 

It is OK to have a bit of threadlocking compound visible under the nut.

Now is a good opportunity to re-apply threadlocking compound to the 2 limit screws so they stay in place, but allow adjustment.

We recommend Wheel Fanatyk FIX. Apply a light coating to the threads of the limit screws and let it dry overnight, then install it. Do not install the screws right away, or it will not dry.

You can also use boiled linseed oil and follow the same process. Do not install the screws right away, or it will not dry.

You can now re-install the derailleur.

Installation and adjustment instructions are here.

Done!