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Shimano SLX 7120 brake lever blade replacement - lever axle stuck

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CaMKii

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Unfortunately snapped the lever off my SLX brakes this morning. Looked at some online guides and videos to remove the brake lever for replacement

1) Remove rubber cover for grub screw
2) Remove grub screw (2mm hex)
3) Lever axle should slide out when pushed

I'm stuck between 2 and 3. Removed the grub screen but axle is not sliding out. The lever also doesn't look the same as some of the guides I've seen online for Shimano's other brakes (XT, XTR). The videos I've seen, people push the axle up to remove it, but from the bottom of the lever (3rd photo), doesn't look like the axle can be pushed through the bottom? Tried to push the axle from both the bottom and the top, and neither way is working so far.

Pictures below, would very much appreciate any tips!

IMGUR:

 

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#2 ·
If you look at the axle itself, from above and below, you will see that the upper side is bigger in diameter - that's the head of the axle.
You need to gently tap on the axle from below with something thinner than it to push it out.

Y2S798010 is Shimano product code for SLX lever blade right.
No other blade is compatible than this one.
And left blade is not flippable.
 
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#4 ·
My SLX axle was in snug as well. As long as that little locking grub screw is removed you should be able to punch the axle pin out. I supported the master cylinder on a wood block and gave the underside of the axle a good tap using a appropriate hex bit as a punch (all my major tools are at my folks place, damn Covid!) and a small hammer. Once it pops loose, you can push it out with a hex wrench etc.

@Groove_c do you know if you can use the M8100 XT levers in the M7100/M7120 master cylinders?
 
#5 ·
I managed to get the lever axle out. I bought the lever member units of the M8000 series (old xt). They are a lot sturdier than the M7100 series. I will try these. I will let you know if these levers work. But the plastic part which guides the piston is broken. So first fix that.
 
#7 ·
Joverrr said:
I managed to get the lever axle out. I bought the lever member units of the M8000 series (old xt). They are a lot sturdier than the M7100 series. I will try these. I will let you know if these levers work. But the plastic part which guides the piston is broken. So first fix that.
Click to expand...
Were you able to get them installed? If so, how did these lever blades work?
 
#12 ·
I've been wondering what makes them L to R specific?
I cannot see any difference except the small spring (which can be reused). The spring is side specific but I cannot tell what is different about the levers.
I haven't tried switching them but I suspect that as long as you use the spring from the correct side, they'd work.
 
#14 ·
FWIW, I got curious and tried swapping my good right lever blade to the left and it worked perfectly. All I had to do was use the small spring from the left and it worked perfectly.
Also tried installing the broken left blade in the right lever and again, worked perfectly just so long as I used the right side's spring.
So my results, the levers aren't side specific but the spring is.
They're typically sold in a set with the spring. They call it a "member unit". So if you can reuse your old spring, you should be able to use either lever blade in either side.
 
#15 ·
JaxMustang50 said:
FWIW, I got curious and tried swapping my good right lever blade to the left and it worked perfectly. All I had to do was use the small spring from the left and it worked perfectly.
Also tried installing the broken left blade in the right lever and again, worked perfectly just so long as I used the right side's spring.
So my results, the levers aren't side specific but the spring is.
They're typically sold in a set with the spring. They call it a "member unit". So if you can reuse your old spring, you should be able to use either lever blade in either side.
Click to expand...
Damn, that's good to know. Thanks for doing the testing.

I was looking at picking up a spare left lever and everyone was sold out. Might get some 8100 blades if/when I break my current ones. Kinda like the dimples.
 
#16 ·
If you can't pull out lever axle after unscrewing the screw of lever, then you need to pressed it out with a special pusher in a vise. Because it is factory defect - the axle may have badasses that cause jamming.
Here he tells about it:
 
#17 ·
PlumpSquirrel3 said:
SLX M7100 lever blades can be used in the XT M8100 brakes. I snapped the lever off my XT and replaced it with an SLX. They are specific to left or right lever blades though.
Click to expand...
could be so kind to confirm if everything worked well ? I snapped the lever off my SLX and there is no lever aviable so The option is replace it with the XT m8100
I have looked in the shimano data sheet but it does not appear as compatible,
thanks for your reply
 
#18 ·
Confirmed, they'll work. Check out these threads.
www.mtbr.com

XT 8100/8000 brake lever compatibilty

Does anyone know if the lever assembly of the Shimano XT BL-M8000 and 8100 are interchangeable? I just snapped my 8100 lever, and I am wondering if this will fit. It looks extremely similar...
www.mtbr.com www.mtbr.com
and
www.mtbr.com

Shimano Deore XT M8120 lever blade

Hi all, I unfortunately snapped off my Shimano Deore XT M8120 lever blade. I was trying to find a replacement lever blade to replace it. Unfortunately, I couldn't find one. Does anyone know if the M8000 or M9120 (XTR) lever blade is compatible. I did find some of those on the internet. I did...
www.mtbr.com www.mtbr.com
 
#19 ·
JaxMustang50 said:
FWIW, I got curious and tried swapping my good right lever blade to the left and it worked perfectly. All I had to do was use the small spring from the left and it worked perfectly.
Also tried installing the broken left blade in the right lever and again, worked perfectly just so long as I used the right side's spring.
So my results, the levers aren't side specific but the spring is.
They're typically sold in a set with the spring. They call it a "member unit". So if you can reuse your old spring, you should be able to use either lever blade in either side.
Click to expand...
which brake set did you use it on? Busted a right/rear m7100 brake lever blade and no one seems to have the right in stock but someone appear to have the left/front. Just wanted to see which model you tried it on in case they changed it at some point where it's more than just the spring that's different. Thanks!
 
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