sounds to me like the bleed wasn't a good one.
brake lever pulls all the way to handlebar
I have a shimano XT brakes (i believe m8000). So this started happening a maybe a month ago usually during descents. It would feel spongy and lever pulls further back than normal but after a few bumps riding downhill it returns back to normal. This continued for several weeks. However last week it completely pulls back to the handlebar and stays that way and the rear brake is basically useless.
Obviously I thought the culprit is air in the brake lines so I did a rear brake bleed using instructions I found on youtube. The fluid that came out was already pink so and not gunky... made sure enough fluid passed through the lines and that no air was visible. When i put the pads/tires back on the lever still hits all the way to the handle bar. In addition, since i pushed the calipers in for the bleed, pulling the lever moves the calipers out slightly but now there's zero contact between the pads and rotors - it's like a gap.
Any ideas on what could be the issue? Did I just completely screw up the brake bleed? it was fairly straightforward... or could some other component be broken?
thanks
Obviously I thought the culprit is air in the brake lines so I did a rear brake bleed using instructions I found on youtube. The fluid that came out was already pink so and not gunky... made sure enough fluid passed through the lines and that no air was visible. When i put the pads/tires back on the lever still hits all the way to the handle bar. In addition, since i pushed the calipers in for the bleed, pulling the lever moves the calipers out slightly but now there's zero contact between the pads and rotors - it's like a gap.
Any ideas on what could be the issue? Did I just completely screw up the brake bleed? it was fairly straightforward... or could some other component be broken?
thanks
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Assuming that it's a case of bad bleed, I would highly recommend the bleed process in the videos between Marshi and Minaar from the Syndicate. The instructions are actually really good and have never failed me as long as I truly follow the instructions. The first one is for a full gravity bleed and the second link is for a quick bleed.
Ever since following that process I never had any wandering bite point issues or lever sponginess on my Saint brakes, except of course when air gets into the system over time and it's time for a fresh bleed.
Ever since following that process I never had any wandering bite point issues or lever sponginess on my Saint brakes, except of course when air gets into the system over time and it's time for a fresh bleed.
As above, no harm in doing another bleed and trying a different method.
After you have pushed the pistons back into the bores, completed the bleed could it just be the usual few lever pumps necessary to reset the pads back into their normal working position which will firm up lever feel? 🤔
After you have pushed the pistons back into the bores, completed the bleed could it just be the usual few lever pumps necessary to reset the pads back into their normal working position which will firm up lever feel? 🤔
As others said, try another bleed, if you’re lucky it will fix your issue. If not, probably you destroyed the seal Inside the lever when you pushed the pistons back and you’ll need to replace the lever.
I would try this first, it will take you about 5 minutes and will make sure there's no bubbles in the master cylinder:
On the brake lever, where you add brake oil, get that bleed screw horizontal and remove the screw (having someone hold it like that is the easiest, if you have a helper). Drip brake oil into the hole until it's full (put a paper towel or similar under it so it doesn't drip to below), then squeeze the lever and see if bubbles come up and the oil level drops. If you do get bubbles, keep adding oil and then squeezing until you get no more bubbles, then just put the screw back in and wipe off the lever. This has worked for me a couple of times with soft lever.
On the brake lever, where you add brake oil, get that bleed screw horizontal and remove the screw (having someone hold it like that is the easiest, if you have a helper). Drip brake oil into the hole until it's full (put a paper towel or similar under it so it doesn't drip to below), then squeeze the lever and see if bubbles come up and the oil level drops. If you do get bubbles, keep adding oil and then squeezing until you get no more bubbles, then just put the screw back in and wipe off the lever. This has worked for me a couple of times with soft lever.
well i took it to the shop and they said they did another bleed and the brakes still aren't working. So i guess something in the brake system that broke. Looks like i'm getting a new rear brake set
i made sure to unscrew and screw the fluid cup into the lever before pushing the pistons backAs others said, try another bleed, if you’re lucky it will fix your issue. If not, probably you destroyed the seal Inside the lever when you pushed the pistons back and you’ll need to replace the lever.
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