linkinpark9812
March 29th, 2014, 11:08 PM
Working on the bike the past few days and noticed that my chain adjuster was bent 35 or so degrees outward with the back plate hanging off with one nut barely on. Did not notice this happening while riding a week or so ago.
Upon closer inspection, the lock nut had fallen off. What had happened was it started to loosen, the plate came off and when it rotated must have got caught in the sprocket or hit by a sprocket nut and "BAM". No damage to the rear sprocket. Bent the adjuster back with a rubber mallet and now just have to get a new lock nut.
How I think it happened was when I was aligning the rear tire, I only hand tightened everything to get a near perfect alignment. After tightening the rear axle, I must have forgot to go back and tighten them better. The right side didn't do it, but that one seemed snugger.
Figured I'd post it to warn others to make sure those plates are tight after adjusting your rear tire and tightening the axle. This probably could have turned out worse during my ride, luckily it didn't.
Upon closer inspection, the lock nut had fallen off. What had happened was it started to loosen, the plate came off and when it rotated must have got caught in the sprocket or hit by a sprocket nut and "BAM". No damage to the rear sprocket. Bent the adjuster back with a rubber mallet and now just have to get a new lock nut.
How I think it happened was when I was aligning the rear tire, I only hand tightened everything to get a near perfect alignment. After tightening the rear axle, I must have forgot to go back and tighten them better. The right side didn't do it, but that one seemed snugger.
Figured I'd post it to warn others to make sure those plates are tight after adjusting your rear tire and tightening the axle. This probably could have turned out worse during my ride, luckily it didn't.