How to Bleed Shimano XT Brakes

Bicycle brakes require routine maintenance to function properly. "Bleeding" your Shimano XT hydraulic brakes replaces the old fluid in the brake line. This line connects your brake lever to the brake caliper. When braking, the pads inside the caliper grip the rotor attached to the side of your wheel. Over time, dirt and moisture contaminate the fluid inside the line. This reduces the brake's overall effectiveness.

Things You'll Need

  • Shimano disc-pad spacer
  • Mineral oil
  • Phillips screwdriver
  • Surgical tubing
  • Plastic bag
  • 2 rubber bands
  • 8 mm wrench
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the wheel from your bicycle. Removing the wheel exposes the brake caliper, which houses the brake pads.

    • 2

      Insert a Shimano compatible disc-pad spacer between the two pads inside the caliper.

    • 3

      Locate the brake-fluid reservoir beside the brake lever. Remove the screws from the reservoir cap using a Phillips screwdriver. Set the cap aside.

    • 4

      Fit a length of surgical tubing inside a plastic bag. Secure the bag around the end of the tubing with a rubber band.

    • 5

      Remove the cap from the bleed nipple located atop the brake caliper. Fit the other end of the surgical tubing around the exposed bleed nipple.

    • 6

      Loosen the bleed screw using an 8 mm wrench. It is located alongside the bleed nipple. The screw requires no more than 1/8 turn.

    • 7

      Pour mineral oil into the open reservoir. Add oil until the level reaches the fill line.

    • 8

      Squeeze the brake lever. Replenish the oil inside the reservoir as the fluid level drops. Keeping the reservoir topped off with fluid prevents air from entering the brake line.

    • 9

      Secure the brake level to the handle with a rubber band.

    • 10

      Open and close the bleed screw using the 8 mm wrench. Repeat this action three times to remove air from the brake caliper.

    • 11

      Remove the surgical tubing from the bleed screw. Close the bleed screw using the 8 mm wrench.

    • 12

      Fill the reservoir tank to the fill line. Replace the reservoir-tank cover and tighten the screws.

    • 13

      Remove the disc-pad spacer from between the brake pads. Reinstall the bicycle wheel.