Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Bicycle Mechanics
Reload this Page >

Good tutorial for Shimano hydraulic brake flush and replace?

Notices
Bicycle Mechanics Broken bottom bracket? Tacoed wheel? If you're having problems with your bicycle, or just need help fixing a flat, drop in here for the latest on bicycle mechanics & bicycle maintenance.

Good tutorial for Shimano hydraulic brake flush and replace?

Old 03-29-23, 07:22 PM
  #1  
Wattsup
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 580
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 324 Post(s)
Liked 26 Times in 23 Posts
Good tutorial for Shimano hydraulic brake flush and replace?

My XT brakes haven't had the fluid replaced in like 5 years. I think it's time. 😵‍💫 Can someone link to a really good tutorial with video and/or pics? I can do most everything else on the bike, but I'm kind of intimated by this one.

Thanks...
Wattsup is offline  
Old 03-29-23, 07:37 PM
  #2  
Polaris OBark
ignominious poltroon
 
Polaris OBark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 2,773
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1594 Post(s)
Liked 2,399 Times in 1,265 Posts
Park Tool's website has what you need.

It is a pretty easy procedure, but you need to have some tubing and Shimano's bleed funnel or a syringe with the correct fitting. You don't need the expensive kits, just the $12 funnel and some tubing will work fine.

Last edited by Polaris OBark; 03-29-23 at 07:45 PM. Reason: added link
Polaris OBark is offline  
Old 03-29-23, 09:24 PM
  #3  
Wattsup
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 580
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 324 Post(s)
Liked 26 Times in 23 Posts
Originally Posted by Polaris OBark View Post
Park Tool's website has what you need.

It is a pretty easy procedure, but you need to have some tubing and Shimano's bleed funnel or a syringe with the correct fitting. You don't need the expensive kits, just the $12 funnel and some tubing will work fine.
Thanks. I also found a great video that illustrates the gravity bleed too. The gravity bleed seems so simple. Why do some use the syringe and push fluid in through the caliper?
Wattsup is offline  
Old 03-29-23, 09:42 PM
  #4  
Polaris OBark
ignominious poltroon
 
Polaris OBark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 2,773
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1594 Post(s)
Liked 2,399 Times in 1,265 Posts
Sometimes air bubbles are hard to dislodge, and a syringe can work better. You can also create negative pressure easily with a syringe, which is a simple way to remove gas (air) from a fluid.
Polaris OBark is offline  
Old 03-29-23, 10:00 PM
  #5  
Wattsup
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 580
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 324 Post(s)
Liked 26 Times in 23 Posts
Originally Posted by Polaris OBark View Post
Sometimes air bubbles are hard to dislodge, and a syringe can work better. You can also create negative pressure easily with a syringe, which is a simple way to remove gas (air) from a fluid.
What is meant by "negative pressure?"
Wattsup is offline  
Old 03-29-23, 10:10 PM
  #6  
MarcusT
Senior Member
 
MarcusT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: NE Italy
Posts: 1,443
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 667 Post(s)
Liked 468 Times in 269 Posts
The videos make it look simple, but it's very messy the first few times. Have plenty of rags and rubbing alcohol available
MarcusT is offline  
Old 03-29-23, 10:11 PM
  #7  
jimc101
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: West Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Posts: 5,769
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 450 Post(s)
Liked 102 Times in 85 Posts
What brakes do you have?

Shimano XT has been through multiple versions (3 major and several more minor) which require different processes.

A little more detail would be useful!
jimc101 is offline  
Old 03-29-23, 10:20 PM
  #8  
Polaris OBark
ignominious poltroon
 
Polaris OBark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 2,773
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1594 Post(s)
Liked 2,399 Times in 1,265 Posts
Originally Posted by Wattsup View Post
What is meant by "negative pressure?"
Less than one atmosphere.

If you have fluid with gas dissolved in it in a syringe, you close the tip, and then start to pull out the stopper, it will create a partial vacuum above the fluid, and pull out air bubbles. It is a useful trick if the brakes feel too mushy.

But don't worry about it unless you have to.
Polaris OBark is offline  
Old 03-31-23, 08:06 PM
  #9  
sjanzeir
BF's Resident Dumbass
 
sjanzeir's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Posts: 1,488

Bikes: 1990 Raleigh Flyer (size 21"); 2014 Trek 7.6 FX (size 15"); 2014 Trek 7.6 FX (size 17.5"); 2019 Dahon Mu D9; 2020 Dahon Hemingway D9

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 742 Post(s)
Liked 1,402 Times in 466 Posts
sjanzeir is offline  
Old 03-31-23, 08:08 PM
  #10  
sjanzeir
BF's Resident Dumbass
 
sjanzeir's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Posts: 1,488

Bikes: 1990 Raleigh Flyer (size 21"); 2014 Trek 7.6 FX (size 15"); 2014 Trek 7.6 FX (size 17.5"); 2019 Dahon Mu D9; 2020 Dahon Hemingway D9

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 742 Post(s)
Liked 1,402 Times in 466 Posts
sjanzeir is offline  
Old 03-31-23, 10:01 PM
  #11  
t2p
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2022
Location: USA
Posts: 1,777

Bikes: Cannondale - Gary Fisher - Giant - Litespeed - Schwinn Paramount - Schwinn (lugged steel) - Trek OCLV

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 812 Post(s)
Liked 817 Times in 526 Posts
bbinfinite

hydraulic disc brake bleeding done right (Shimano)



.
t2p is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -

Copyright © 2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.