Shimano Hydraulic Fluid

BIGBOSS78659

Hello,
I seem to have some issues with my hydraulic brake system. When I was bleeding before, the bleed port on the caliper was a bit lose. Over the days I noticed the brake performance was lost and I could see oil was leaking. I immediately tighten the screw. I topped the oil up in the lever. Brake seems to work kind of fine. I think the hydraulic fluid went on the pads so the brake performance was a bit lost. I sanded the brake pads they have improved but they not powerful. I also did that on the rotor. I was going to upgrade the rotors to 203mm as I currently have 160mm rotor. I was also thinking of purchasing new pads. Now, I just noticed that the caliper bleed port is leaking still even though i have tighten the screw. Could anyone help. I'm thinking of just going back to mechanical brakes.

nicklouse

No idea what you are asking. Either get the brakes fixed and pads replaced and rotor and caliper cleaned.

Or do whatever.

Tightening things does not always fix things and can often make things worse.

The Rookie

They work kind of fine, despite not working......erm OK,

Oil on pads means scrap and get new ones, also clean the disc before fitting them.

Never had a bleed nipple come lose ever, either it has a defect and it or the caliper is scrap, or your doing something wrong.

reformedfatty

When I was bleeding before, the bleed port on the caliper was a bit lose.

Why were you bleeding them before?

Over the days I noticed the brake performance was lost and I could see oil was leaking.

Did you replace the brake olive?

I immediately tighten the screw. I topped the oil up in the lever. Brake seems to work kind of fine.

If you didn't bleed the system again it was never going to work properly because there is now air in the system

I think the hydraulic fluid went on the pads so the brake performance was a bit lost. I sanded the brake pads they have improved but they not powerful. I also did that on the rotor.

the lack of power is because of the air in the system

Now, I just noticed that the caliper bleed port is leaking still even though i have tighten the screw. Could anyone help.

Sounds like you have managed to strip the thread in the bleed port on the caliper, or you just need to replace the brake olive and rebleed.

I'm thinking of just going back to mechanical brakes.

Hydraulic brakes are fine, you just don't understand how they work. You need to have a sealed system without air in it. By your description, you've never had that.

The Rookie

If he's stripped the bleed nipple thread, that is nothing to do with the olive on the hose, on most Shimano it's a scrap calliper.

As he doesn't mention touching the hose, why would he want a new olive? Do you know what/where an olive is?

reformedfatty

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19650383#p19650383]The Rookie[/url] wrote:

If he's stripped the bleed nipple thread, that is nothing to do with the olive on the hose, on most Shimano it's a scrap calliper.

As he doesn't mention touching the hose, why would he want a new olive? Do you know what/where an olive is?

The two aren't related, its just two independent possibilities

He doesn't mention why he was bleeding the brakes in the first place, I'm taking a guess he might have been replacing the hose or trimming it at the caliper end for some reason. It seems unlikely, but no more unlikely than a bleed nipple magically coming loose.

That would be the hopeful possibility as it's obviously cheaper, the more likely explanation though is going to be the stripped thread.

BIGBOSS78659

Hello,
Just wanted to give you guys an update. I have tighted the bolt so the oil stops leaking. I have cleaned the rotor and caliper. Bought new pads. I rebled the system and took it for a test run. Once I pressed the brakes. The oil started leaking I think from the pistons. I do have another caliper which is new. I think the one I currently have is faulty as I had bleed them 5 times and now it's leaked again. Should I disconnect the caliper and use the another which is new. Could anyone tell me how to change th hose from one caliper to another.
Thanks

cooldad

Get an olive. Holding caliper upwards disconnect hose, remove old olive, fit new, reconnect. You'll have to top up fluid and bleed.

BIGBOSS78659

Does it use the same olive like the lever one. Do you think there Is something wrong with caliper I already have.

cooldad

Same olive, and if it's chucking fluid out all over something is wrong.

BIGBOSS78659

I have successfully done it. So far no leaks. Didn't need the olive. All I did was just remove the hose from old caliper then attach to the new. After that I bled the brakes. Brakes squeak like hell. Need to purchase new pads. Probably buy a bigger rotor for higher brake performance. I'm just wondering, does anyone know what was wrong with old caliper. I was told by someone that the seals must have broke on the pistons therefore oil leaked.

cooldad

And clean the rotors properly or your new pads will be fubared.