[2fst4u]

I pulled the lever on my hayes 9 without the front wheel in-stupid. I then pried the pads back apart and noticed some fluid coming out the brake lever housing. This might have been water being pushed out by air pressure (dont know how hydros work) as bike was wet. I then put wheel on and tried it out-brake lever now had very little freeplay but still seemed to work. Do I need bleed the brakes to get it all good again?

 

[Guest]

If there was any air in the system it sounds like doing what you did would have forced it out and not introduce air into the system. So as long as you don't have a leak and didn't lose too much fluid you should be OK. You may have to push the pistons back in a little further if you don't have enough lever play. If however they are spongy you will need to bleed them.