Brake bleeding Q

[Alex321]

Good advice, though a question, if replacing pads and rotors would a bleed be necessary?

Not normally. I haven't actually replaced rotors, but have replaced pads multiple times, and have only ever bled my brakes once.

Replacing the rotors makes less difference, as they are not part of the mechanism operated by the hydraulics.

Just finished a 2nd bleed on the frond and the wheel is new free rolling and the pads are not pushing the rotor to one side as previously so seems to have got me back to where I was at the start

Good.

Generally, I try to never mess with anything that is working correctly, in case I stop it working

As Ming says above, you generally only need to bleed the brakes if they feel spongy (which means there will be air bubbles - doesn't often happen with the mineral oil ones).

 

[Mike_P]

Its often not necessary to do a full bleed; fit a bleed cup in place with some brake fluid in it and flicking the brake lever tapping the brake line wll remove any air.

 

[fossyant]

Checked them out, they have only basically copied and pasted shimano’s manual.

But it's very easy to follow. and on two sides of A4.

 

[Willam]

But it's very easy to follow. and on two sides of A4.

Yeah wasn’t saying it was bad advice, was just pointing out it was info I already had…I tend to prefer the type of info/videos that give a more tip based approach from a mechanic, not just a step by step approach, found a fairly good video from The Lost Co of the type of videos I prefer.


View: https://youtu.be/VhURlGrMZ-0?si=dkYiiaYdquZYJNSq

 

[fossyant]

Ah but you can read a piece of A4 in your shed/garage as you do the process, and re-read it. I can't be assed taking the laptop/phone out and watching a video as I am covered in oil/brake fluid.

 

[fossyant]

Ah but you can read a piece of A4 in your shed/garage as you do the process, and re-read it. I can't be assed taking the laptop/phone out and watching a video as I am covered in oil/brake fluid.

Oh and then there are all the adverts, and stupid intro's from the 'presenter' and silly faces and stuff. Just get on with it.

 

[Mike_P]

Doing a full brake bleed with a bleed cup is pretty straightforward. Full bleed cup fitted to the brake lever, outlet pipe fitted to the brake assembly and then the outlet sealing nut undone. Flick of the brake lever and let the fluids flow. Helps to have dufferent coloured brake fluid.
You only need to do a full bleed if the brake fluid is discoloured and the lever bleed I mentioned previously otherwise should be sufficient to restore brake lever power.

 

[Gwylan]

I was told that when doing anything with hydraulic brakes you need a pot of unicorn wee and advice from a passer by to be successful.
A £50 note for the chap in the LBS might work too.

 

[Mike_P]

I was told that when doing anything with hydraulic brakes you need a pot of unicorn wee and advice from a passer by to be successful.
A £50 note for the chap in the LBS might work too.

Think that comes from the twin syringe version which having always used a bleed cup strikes me as being barking. One thing with a bleed cup is to get a metal one and not the Shimano plastic one which all too quickly starts to lose its screw thread meaning it will not properly tighten up.

 

[Alex321]

I was told that when doing anything with hydraulic brakes you need a pot of unicorn wee and advice from a passer by to be successful.
A £50 note for the chap in the LBS might work too.

They really aren't that complicated.

 

[Vapin' Joe]

Oh and then there are all the adverts, and stupid intro's from the 'presenter' and silly faces and stuff. Just get on with it.

If I play a Youtube tutorial and it starts with music blaring out I immediately kill it and look somewhere else. I want to watch some practical advice explained clearly and concisely, not listen to someone's attempt to make a blockbuster movie.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Park Tool videos are good.

There are many genuinely awful bike fixing how-to videos out there. Varying from the blockbuster that @Vapin' Joe refers to, to the cack handed.