How long will it take me to drain, refill & bleed?

el_presidente
el_presidente Posts: 1,963
edited December 2007 in MTB workshop & tech
I realise this is a "how long is a piece of string" question but I am new to disk brakes and just looking to get a feel for how big a job this is.

I bought a cheap pair of XT hydraulic disks but they are cheap for a reason, set up continental style with the front on the left rear on the right. I have the Shimano instructions for draining, bleeding etc so I'm confident I will be able to swap the levers & hoses given time, just wondered from those with some experience how big a job you reckon it is. I am fairly confident with bike fettling (I have built entire bikes before), just not familiar with disks and I am a bit pushed for time this weekend and don't want to have to leave the job half done.

thanks
<a>road</a>

Comments

  • clanton
    clanton Posts: 1,289
    I had exactly the same situation (and rued buying cheap!) and managed to unscrew and swap hoses left to right without losing more than the tiniest drop of fluid - reconnected and brakes are working just fine! So didn't have to bleed them at all.
    SO I had to fit calipers front and back, levers front and back, unscrew and pull each hose out (get someone to help you here just to hold one hose up) and refit and tighten, then centre calipers. Whole job was less than (a lazy) 25 minutes I reckon. Adding time in to bleed front and back in worst case scenario I think it should still take less than an hour and a half.

    I was lucky in that the hose lengths were fine for my bike - you may need to cut the hoses (had to on the gf's bike) and then you need a new olive and a new brass sleeve. These should come with the brakes but mine did not so had to go the lbs for this. So check first lengths will be more or less correct.
  • omegas
    omegas Posts: 970
    Should take about 5 mins to do each one:

    Remove reservoir cover.
    Open bleed port.
    Pump brake to drain enough oil below the compression fitting.
    Undo and swap over.
    Fill reservoir with oil and bleed as normal.
    http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/1844902/
    http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/1844919/
  • el_presidente
    el_presidente Posts: 1,963
    omegas wrote:
    Should take about 5 mins to do each one:

    Remove reservoir cover.
    Open bleed port.
    Pump brake to drain enough oil below the compression fitting.
    Undo and swap over.
    Fill reservoir with oil and bleed as normal.

    thanks guys

    compression fitting where the hose meets the lever yes?
    <a>road</a>

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