Jockey wheels squiffy!

[DWiggy]

Hi guys was giving my bike the Sunday once over and noticed my chain is rubbing the jockey wheel cage
There is quite a bit of side to side play in the lower jockey wheel, is this normal or is it time to get some new jockey wheels?

Thanks is advanced

 

[e-rider]

the upper jockey wheel should have side-to-side play in it, the bottom one shouldn't.
have you accidently swapped them around? perhaps 2 uppers were wrongly fitted in the factory?
has the lower one come loose - check the allen bolt?
Otherwise probably it's just broken!

 

[lpretro1]

Just replace jockey wheels - the bearings do wear out - prob £10-12 for new set

 

[zacklaws]

Sounds worn out to me, simple job to replace. I've just replaced one of mine (again), I noticed whilst cleaning my mech that the hole in the middle of the jockey wheel had enlarged in size somehow and half the bearings were missing.

 

[DWiggy]

Thanks for the advise, I have also contacted a local shop that seem to think they just need replacing as badly worn!

 

[e-rider]

Thanks for the advise, I have also contacted a local shop that seem to think they just need replacing as badly worn!

they don't look worn from the pics? In principal the lower jockey wheel (tension pulley) shouldn't be able to move from side to side if it is done up tight - it simply isn't possible the way it is manufactured. You either have a guide pully (upper jockey) in there by mistake or the plastic centre of the jockey wheel has broken (all Shimano jockey wheels are 'plastic' not metal and most don't have 'real' bearings in either!)

 

[DWiggy]

The top jockey wheel has G pulley guide stamped on to it and has left to right float as expected, the bottom pulley has shimano stamped onto it but has more play than the top one, so much so that the chain rubs the cage in certain gears. I have taken it off and re-fitted and its as tight as it can go but no difference. The Derailleur has done about 5500miles on it so I have presumed that they are just worn out although the teeth are still ok.

The play is coming from the metal washers that go either side they are about 5mm smaller that the indentation on the actual wheel causing the side to side play so I'm guessing they are just worn, just ordered a set of replacements.

 

[DWiggy]

All sorted, just changed the chain, cassette and jockey wheels, and it's like a new bike, the jockey wheels have made a massive difference with indexing!!
Indexing is smooth and precise and the whole running gear is smooth and quiet....I'm very happy!