Shimano XT: Lever collapses to the bar

JonathanGennick

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Discussion starter · #1 · Jun 26, 2012

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Help me help a friend.

Shimano XT brakes from about three years ago. Suddenly the front brake lever pulls almost to the bar before the pads engage.

Does it need a bleed?

I'm troubled by the sudden onset. I am wondering if there is something wrong beyond the need to bleed.

I'm going to walk around the block to his house and grab the model number I should have thought to grab when he caught me on the street a bit ago. Then I'm going to download the docs from Shimano's site.

My friend races this weekend. Worst case, I'll loan him a front brake from one of my bikes. Better to fix what he's accustomed to though.

Any suggestions on diagnosing the problem? I would welcome a bit of help.

 

JonathanGennick

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Discussion starter · #2 · Jun 26, 2012

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Shimano M-775


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk. Typos and terseness are to be expected.

 

M

mrmas

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#3 · Jun 26, 2012

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Check for fluid leaks.....wet places. Doesn't take much fluid loss to cause problems such as this. If no fluid leaks, bled it and see what you have.

 

jtmartino

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#4 · Jun 26, 2012

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Could be worn pads or a leak. Bleed it, and make sure it's not leaking.

 

JonathanGennick

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Discussion starter · #5 · Jun 27, 2012

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So....A bleed. I have an Avid bleed kit. I have a Hayes Stroker bleed kit. Will the fittings from either of those do me any good here?

 

JonathanGennick

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Discussion starter · #6 · Jun 27, 2012

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Ok. Just downloaded the bleed instructions. Looks like all I need is a bit of flexible tubing, which I might even have laying around. The process looks dead simple, which is amazingly nice.

 

mtbnozpikr

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#7 · Jun 27, 2012

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JonathanGennick said:

Shimano XT brakes from about three years ago. Suddenly the front brake lever pulls almost to the bar before the pads engage.

Does it need a bleed?

Click to expand...

Does it feel soft, mushy, or spongy at all when you pull the levers? If so chances are there is air in the system and since the air compresses where the mineral oil doesn't, that potentially explains why you can pull the levers back to the bars. As others have said, bleed your brakes and see where it leaves you. My guess is your problems will go away.

 

JonathanGennick

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Discussion starter · #8 · Jun 27, 2012

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mtbnozpikr said:

Does it feel soft, mushy, or spongy at all when you pull the levers?

Click to expand...

Oddly, no. The lever just feels loose. There's no resistance at all until it almost slams into the grip.

I've done some reading and now realize I have no reasonable substitute available for mineral oil.So that's that. I'll just loan one of my brakes until my friend can get into the shop and get his fixed properly.