Changing and bleeding Shimano brakes.

[TKCastle]

I dont wont to buy the shimano bleed kit($90) to change and bleed my brakes. Does anyone have a different method they use that works just as good.
Thanks Brothers.

[Pho'dUp]

You can just buy the mineral oil from your LBS. They usually have a big jug of the stuff and would be willing to sell you a few mililiters. You should bring a small container. Like 50-100mLs or so. Should only be a couple of bucks.

Other than that, I just use a 30mL plastic syringe and some sillicone tubing from work.

By change? Do you mean just the brake fluid, or are you changing brake lines? What model brakes do you have?

[Marshall Willanholly]

here are Shimano's instructions (no bleed kit needed).

LINK to PDF

[dubjay]

Originally Posted by TKCastle

I dont wont to buy the shimano bleed kit($90) to change and bleed my brakes. Does anyone have a different method they use that works just as good.
Thanks Brothers.

I'm not sure where you're getting the $90 figure from.

$13 from Jenson.

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...Bleed+Kit.aspx

[Marshall Willanholly]

Originally Posted by dubjay

I'm not sure where you're getting the $90 figure from.

$13 from Jenson.

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/BR706Z03-Shimano+Bleed+Kit.aspx

I think he's talking about this one:

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...30&category=17

I own one of these, and I tend to get better results with the gravity bleed described in the link I posted. It just takes a lot of patience to keep at it until all the bubbles are out.

[TKCastle]

Thanks for the replies and sorry for not posting that they are XT brakes. Yeah the bleed kit im talking about is the one with the reservoir clamp. Im not changing lines just putting fresh juice in. Im retiring the 5 inch bike and I want everything to be fresh just in case she gets called to pinch hit.

Mike.

[jschwart73]

I just trimmed lines and bled my new 08 XT brakes, could not have been easier. I did pick up the little plastic block tool to hold the hose while I tapped the connector end in, but it wasn't really necessary.

The gravity bleed works very well, just be sure to get the caliper above the brake lever and take your time. I used Finish Line mineral oil instead of genuine Shimano fluid, but I couldn't tell a difference in power or feel of the brakes.

Make sure you pick up new connector ends and olives, you can't reuse those pieces...