Hydro brake bleeding, When?

[JOx2]

When would you bleed your hydraulic brake? or How often should you bleed your brake? And how would you know the brakes needs bleeding?

Thank you.

[Padre]

When it's time, you'll know.

[2wheel_lee]

As Padre said.

Either when the lever action feels mushy, or something else isn't right. Although, ideally, systems using DOT brake fluid should be bled every couple years or so. Because of the pistons sticking in the calipers, I recently had to bleed my oldest set of Hayes Mags - 7 or 8 years after first bleeding them (I wanted to find out how long they would go without maintenance).

[JOx2]

but what if you just changed your brake pads? does it need bleeding?

[project_d]

Not necessarily. Like Padre said, you'll know. ie: still mushy, not getting power, or they're constantly rubbing, a bleed will likely fix that right up.

[SAR_boats]

If you pull the lever and nothing happens, it is a good indication.

[2wheel_lee]

Originally Posted by JOx2

but what if you just changed your brake pads? does it need bleeding?

No.
Unless you squeezed the lever while the wheel was out causing the pistons to pop out and spew fluid everywhere. But in that case, see Padre's post.

[Padre]

I've squeezed the lever with the rotor/wheel out... was able to push the pistons back out with a flathead screwdriver. No bleed neccessary.

The only time I've ever bled any of our 6 sets of hydros, is on a new set of Juicy Ultimates. They "didn't feel right." A bleed later, all is well. I just knew.

[JOx2]

i did experience one time, the lever is a little slow going back to its original position after a squeeze.

[2wheel_lee]

Originally Posted by Padre

I've squeezed the lever with the rotor/wheel out... was able to push the pistons back out with a flathead screwdriver. No bleed neccessary.

Padre,
Squeeze the lever a few times with the wheel and pads removed and tell me what happens.

[SAR_boats]

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

Squeeze the lever a few times with the wheel and pads removed and tell me what happens.

Don't do this JoJo!!!!!

[JOx2]

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

Padre,
Squeeze the lever a few times with the wheel and pads removed and tell me what happens.

common sense dictates something like a spew of fluid.