How To Bleed Shimano Brakes At Home (Step-by-Step Guide), by ReCycle Bicycle Sales on YouTube. 18 min 2 s.
- Video length
- 18 min 2 s
- Time to do it
- 45 minutes
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Mount the bike so the brake lever sits level and the caliper is easy to reach. Remove the wheel and brake pads, then fit the bleed block in place of the pads.
Clean around the caliper bleed nipple and the lever reservoir cap. Lay rags underneath so spilled mineral oil does not reach the pads or rotor.
Fill a syringe with fresh Shimano mineral oil and push it onto the caliper bleed nipple. Open the nipple a quarter turn with the correct spanner.
Push oil slowly up through the caliper and watch the lever reservoir. Air bubbles will rise out of the system as the fresh oil moves through.
Close the caliper nipple while there is still slight pressure, then remove the syringe. Top up the lever reservoir if the level has dropped.
Fit the bleed funnel to the lever and add oil. Pump the lever slowly several times to work out any remaining air, tapping the hose to free bubbles.
Close the lever port and remove the funnel. Refit the reservoir cap and check the lever feels firm, not spongy.
Remove the bleed block, refit the pads and wheel, then spin the wheel and squeeze the lever to check the brake bites evenly.
Tips and common mistakes
Never let the reservoir run dry during the bleed or you will pull air straight back into the system.
Keep mineral oil off the brake pads and rotor. If it touches them, replace the pads rather than trying to clean them.
Use only Shimano mineral oil, not DOT fluid, which damages Shimano seals.
If the lever still feels soft after bleeding, check the hose fittings for a slow leak before riding.
Questions
How often should I bleed Shimano brakes?
Bleed when the lever feels spongy or the brake loses power, and do a full fluid refresh about once a year for regular riders.
Can I bleed brakes without a bleed kit?
It is not recommended. A proper Shimano bleed kit with a funnel and syringes keeps air out and makes the job much cleaner.
Do I need to remove the brake pads?
Yes. Fit a bleed block instead so oil cannot contaminate the pads and the pistons stay pushed back.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
