Shimano xt Brakes

[welshwhit]

Hi all,

Just got soem new brakes and as I think about fitting them, I'm sure that the hoses will need a bit of a trim. I've read that these are just a case of measure, cut, new olives and re affix everything and your done.

Is this true? Is it really that simple, or should I wait to have the bleed kit before I trim away at the hose!?

Thanks folks

Drew

[Bearbonesnorm]

If you trim them from the MC end and don't touch the lever while the line's off you should get away without bleeding. I assume these are the same as other Shimano brakes and require a new insert not just a new olive?

[welshwhit]

Cheers Stuart, yep new insert is needed, but the brakes came with the olive and insert in the block and some yellow block I'm assuming are for holding the cable while fettling.

Whats best to cut the cable with, I was going with a nice sharp knife.

Also, ( ), MC, is that the end nearest the lever, thats what I planned to cut anyway....

Drew

[TheBrownDog]

Here's a step by step guide from Epic Bleed Solutions I followed which makes it nice and clear, though you don't need to take the lever off the bars - just make sure they are horizontal. Be real careful when to get the hose barb straight when knocking it into the cable and then even more careful when tightening the cable back into the lever. Ive done this a few times and only needed to bleed them once when I managed to let half of the fluid leak out of the cable because I needed a cup of tea. You're going to need a bleed kit at some stage though, so might as well get one, and I can recommend the Epic kits over the Shimano one.

http://www.epicbleedsolutions.com/blog/ ... -bleeding/

[Taylor]

I've had a 75% success rate.
3/4 brakes were fine with no extra fluid needed the other just needed a top up and was fine.

[99percentchimp]

Drew,
PM me your address and I'll loan you a bleed kit and hose cutter if you want. Just post it back once you're done.
Mark

[jBay]

Don't depress the lever with the pads out/without a block - the pistons fall out and all the fluid.

I've done one without issue and on needing a bleed 3/4 would be a fair estimate.

[welshwhit]

Thanks for the replies folks and thanks for a great and generous offer from Mark!

I've sent you a PM

Drew

[ScotRoutes]

FWIW, on every bike I build in the shop, I have to swap the brakes around (they come "Euro"). With the Shimanos, it's normally a case of simply disconnecting each hose at the lever end and carefully re-fitting it. I've not yet had to do a bleed afterwards.

[welshwhit]

That's promising to hear!

There calipers are on the bike and look nice, and I've taped up the hoses ready for the cut so to speak!

I keep on getting the fear that I've measured wrong so get up and go and turn the bars to check!

Hopefully I'll get it right!

Drew

[vorlich]

I've just done this, I initially thought I'd got away with it. But on upending the bike to put it back into the shed the lever pulled back to the bar. I just pumped the lever a bit and it firmed back up, I rode 100+km like that at the weekend and it was ok with regular lever pumping. I bled it once home, bodged without the Shimano funnel, just a syringe and tube onto the caliper to top up and expel the air. Seems fine now.

[welshwhit]

Well they are on the bike!

Front seems rock solid and very quick to come to the bite, rear may have a small bubble, but saying that, it still feels like it has more bite than the avids I swapped!

Out for a trail tomorrow!


Drew