SRAM X-7 r. der. problems

[Natedogg]

Im a Shimano man, but Im helping my buddy wrench his new (to him) bike that has a SRAM drivetrain. :cool: He is having a problem with the rear derailluer, and I figured Id see if any monkeys have any advice before he takes it to the shop.

When re-installing the RD, there is the derailluer body and a separate spacer (not attached to the RD) for the RD tension. This spacer has a tab that locks into the RD hanger (on the frame), and has a second tab where the RD tension screw locks in (this is all bypassed on a Shimano system by integrating a stop-tab into the RD body).

Is this spacer supposed to be separate? Or is something broken?
Also, when he screws the derailluer/spacer/frame hanger sandwich together, there is a whole lotta slop (ie., there are spaces between each of them that allows significant movement). Is there supposed to be any slop?

[oldfart]

SRAM do not use a spring in the "b" pivot like Shimano so they use a slightly different system. The "b" adjuster is set so that the pulley wheels are the correct distance from the cogs, I don't recall the exact distance but it's on the SRAM site. I have seen a number of SRAM derailleurs which are really sloppy. That has to affect the accuracy of the derailleur but they seem to work well anyway.

[Raacerx]

SRAM do not use a spring in the "b" pivot like Shimano so they use a slightly different system. The "b" adjuster is set so that the pulley wheels are the correct distance from the cogs, I don't recall the exact distance but it's on the SRAM site. I have seen a number of SRAM derailleurs which are really sloppy. That has to affect the accuracy of the derailleur but they seem to work well anyway.

Yeah some X.7 derailleurs just dont have the tolerances of an X.O. Go figure... Ive got a brand new X.7 right here and there is some play between everything. Same thing on my X.9. To be honest, shifts freakin awesome and I dont notice the slop on the bike, only when the derailleur is off.