2012 XT brakes - anyone else having problems

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2012 XT brakes - anyone else having problems

21 posts & 19 voices | Started 6 months ago by Sanny | Latest reply from flow

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Sanny - Member

Like the title says, anyone else experiencing any issues?

Now on my third rebleed for the back brake and the front one decided to pack up in the cold yesterday in sympathy. Full lever to bar travel with only a vague sensation of the pads touching the disc!

The rear 203 mm Ice Tech rotor warped on day 3 of an Alps trip in September on a long descent while the front one warped coming down off Beinn Dearg yesterday with the temperature hovering around zero. I've bent rotors before through clumsy rock strickes but have never warped them before. The front wheel stopped spinning in the caliper even after adjustment and made for a tough old climb and descent off the second munro of the day. Garrr!

Sanny

Posted 6 months ago #
pypdjl - Member

You are imagining things citizen, everyone knows shimano brakes never go wrong, please report for re-education immediately.

Posted 6 months ago #
scruff - Member

Have you bled them with the fancy funnel?

Posted 6 months ago #
ruscle - Member

*Reverse of the usual posts*

Should have got HOPE disc brakes!!

Posted 6 months ago #
Stu661 - Member

Had the same problem with my XTR lever, went to change the rear pads last week but couldn't get the pistions to pump out and then the lever went to the bars and stayed there it's like something on the inside has broken.

Emailed Madison to ask if they have heard about this happening and they said no. Was told to take back to the shop and get them to return it. Droped it off last Wednesday now waiting to hear back, was told it would be about a week.

Will let you know how I get on.

Posted 6 months ago #
bigyinn - Member

Stop dragging your brakes you mincer!

Paul

Posted 6 months ago #
Sanny - Member

Aye. Bled with the fancy funnel.

Alpine cut the hoses and sorted them for my Alps trip while Carl in BikeLove has had a damn good go at bleeding them too (he being Chain Reaction Cycles race mechanic and really knows his stuff with Shimano kit).

I've contacted the retailer to see about returning them and getting them fixed or replaced.

A bit gutted as I bought the brakes in the hope of getting trouble free brakes that work in the Alps. Ho hum!

The warped disc at the front was a bit of a pain. I was pretty tired by the end of the ride and had contemplated taking the brake off altogether as it was rubbing so badly and making the ride hard going. Even the descents felt tough. Coupled with the front brake either working or not working and requiring slightly frantic pumping made for challenging riding.

Posted 6 months ago #
DT78 - Member

Interested to hear the icetech rotors have warped - I was thinking about getting a pair for the alps - have used massive magura vented jobs the last 2 years without issues, but they weigh alot. Think I'll save the pennies then.

(no issues with my set of new xtrs)

Posted 6 months ago #
nonk - Member

i had an xtr one go in the same way as stu661.

i hope its not going to be a common thing because i love these brakes.

Posted 6 months ago #
edd - Member

Yesterday I shortened the hoses on mine. Bleeding them, even with the fancy funnel, was a pain. Still not certain that I got all of the air out of the rear although it does feel alright.

Posted 6 months ago #
pistola - Member

SEND THEM BACK!!

Hehehe!

Posted 6 months ago #
nmdbase - Member

Nowt wrong with mine

Posted 6 months ago #
scruff - Member

I had a problem with older XTs when trying to bleed with the freestroke fully in / out (Cant remember which) and it just wouldnt happen, mechanic at Afan told me not to have freestroke fully in / out, bled fine after. Maybe worth checking.

Posted 6 months ago #
jasondrake - Member

Hello,

I also have had seal problems with 2012 XT's. Cold weather, handles go stiff, then all sorts of piston problems crop up - sticky, lazy piston, pistons not retracting and finally oil leaking from around piston seals. Had people look at them, bleed them etc. but seals are not working, not much you can do. Sent them back. Interestingly these are warranty replacements for my 2011 XT's which did exactly the same thing. Shame, as they are nice brakes when they work. Don't see myself wanting another set, too much grief, and I can't afford to replace all the oiled pads!

Posted 6 months ago #
doug_basqueMTB.com - Member

Hey Sanny. I've got the XT's, just had them for about a month and liked them so much I've moved them onto the bigger bike. Had zero problems. I'm running them with Avid / Superstar rotors (203mm) and old shimano ones (160mm) on the little bike. I've done some BIG descents. We're not so cold here but I was above 2000m a couple of weeks ago and it was about 3degC, they were fine for the big descent from there. Also been riding some really steep DH stuff where on the brakes is the only way and still no problems. I'm pretty much delighted with them. Sounds like a duff set, I'll echo pistola, send them back!

You must be getting old though... admitting to getting tired on a ride

Posted 6 months ago #
sillyoldman - Member

Check the banjo/hose junction - there have been a few where the crimped shroud doesn't seal properly leading to fluid loss.

Warping rotors just means you're riding like a ponce though Sanny.

Dave.

Posted 6 months ago #
kayak23 - Member

Imho you don't need ice tec rotors, here or in the alps. There, I've said it.

Posted 6 months ago #
cynic-al - Member

My 2003 Deores are working fine without any work on them ever, HTH

Posted 6 months ago #
Northwind - Member

kayak23 - Member

Imho you don't need ice tec rotors, here or in the alps. There, I've said it.

Isn't the point of those to allow you to go down a size without worrying about heat?

Posted 6 months ago #
PJay - Member

I also have had seal problems with 2012 XT's. Cold weather, handles go stiff, then all sorts of piston problems crop up - sticky, lazy piston, pistons not retracting and finally oil leaking from around piston seals.

That sounds like a problem I was having with my old LX 585s. Apparently in sub-zero temperatures the seals hardened and subsequently the pistons wouldn't retract. The UK Shimano people (Madison) suggested changing to the M595 calipers, which I've done but I've not have the chance to try them in cold weather yet. I hope that this isn't a general Shimano fault with seals.

Posted 6 months ago #
flow - Member

Posted 6 months ago #