Forum menu
Got the latest xt brake lever. It pulled to the bars today and wouldn't return, jamming the brake full on. I took my pads out to get home and tried to bleed it by pushing with a syringe from the caliper up.
I couldn't get any fluid to go into the system. Disconnected the hose from the brake and could get fluid going in fine by pushing with the syringe.
I took the reservoir on the lever apart and gave it a darned good clean, put it back together again but still couldn't get any fluid in from the syringe.
Any ideas? I think there's something blocking the master cylinder but can't get into that part of the brake.
New lever required?
Mate had a similar problem with xtr
Lever piston had got stuck
Take off cable and connector and push piston back into lever body by inserting a small Allen key
Refill without pulling lever
The hidden truth about Shimano brakes is that they do this. The master cylinder bore gets dirty and binds. You can do a temporary fix like above but ultimately, if it's under two years old, warranty, if it's older, buy a new one. Parts are not available. It's what puts me off the road disks. It's okay with a £30 lever but not with a £200 STi.
Managed to get the lever back out ok but still wouldn't fill with ye olde syringe push. Reckon you're right about the rubbish in the cylinder. My lbs has one of those ultrasonic cleaner things.
I wonder if that would get rid of the rubbish. What do you reckon?
It's not so much the build up of muck but more the scoring of the bore and the damage to the non replaceable seal.
my mate with the xtrs had the piston seals knackered, had 1 set replaced under warranty but happened again with 2nd set
he used to mock my hopes as being overpriced [smug]
Ive just had my 3rd XT lever top returning and wont put any power through so its in the spares bin.
yeah - had the same a couple of times
I run SLX on the other bikes and never had the same issue, but the XTs take more of a hammering
£30 for a new lever - not great and its annoying when they fail on the trail.
Whacked a lever with a rock to make it come unstuck - it worked surprisingly well!! 🙂
Other than that, fantastic brakes...