My last attempt to bleed my rear shimano SLX brake resulted in me accidentally over pumping the brake lever and the piston popped out of the caliper and spewed brake oil everywhere.
I cleaned the piston and rubbed some oil in the rubber ring and gently pushed the piston back into the caliper. I tried to apply an even pressure to maintain the coaxial alignment with the caliper not to damage the rubber seal. Read this on the internet...
After bleeding the brakes the felt normal. During the first outing the brakes started to squeal and didn't provide much stopping power. To get them to work I dripped water on the caliper which did the trick for a while, then I would put more water on. I have managed to keep riding throughout most of the summer using this technique but after riding some steep stuff on the weekend I really missed some stopping power.
I assume the squeal is from the brake oil leaking from the seal/piston and contaminating the pads/disks.
If this is the case can the caliper be repaired? i.e. new seals.
Is this something my LBS could help me with?
If not where can I buy a new caliper from? I have looked and can't find SLX calipers for sale.
Appreciate some help as planning a weekend to Llandegla in two weeks so need it sorted fairly soon.
sounds like misalignment and a crap bleed rather than leaky piston.
Is there there any sign of fluid on the caliper rather than assuming there is
If the seals have gone, it's a new caliper job. You can't get hold of replacements that will fit, unfortunately.
You should be able to get hold of a Shimano caliper fairly easily...
Haven't noticed any fluid leaking visually, just noticed as I have to keep adjusting the bite point of the lever and every few rides. Assumed this was from leaking oil rather than brake pads wear. I have replaced a set of pads because they were making so much noise during a ride my head went.. Put a new set of pads in and after about 30 minutes they started squeeling.
This was only my second time to bleed a set of brakes so I'm no expert and no doubt did a cr*p job.
Do you think I should take it to my LBS and get them to take a look at it?