Bleeding hydro brakes?

[DoubleJ]

I would like to swap around my brake lever cables - left to right (Shimano SLX) and was wondering if there was a way to do it without bleeding the brakes?

 

I'm not certain if the olive would have to be replaced as well? I'm currently not able to take my bike into the lbs to do it and thought i would like to learn how to do it myself anyways.

 

thanks in advanced

 

 

[Pulse]

The front and back brake hoses are different lengths.

 

You would need to swop the actual hoses, and for that you will need to bleed them

[PeterF]

If you are very careful and a bit lucky you can swop them over without needing to bleed them. I have done it before with XT brakes. You should not need to replace the olives either.

[Jonkie]

There is a way to do it without bleeding it afterwards. Google is your friend.

[PeterF]

If you are very careful and a bit lucky you can swop them over without needing to bleed them. I have done it before with XT brakes. You should not need to replace the olives either.

[madmarc]

Can be done, I take the levers off and hold them up as high with the inlets facing up. swop over the cables and try not to lose any oil cause that will mean you have to bleed.

[RockCoach]

Yep. Just need a couple of extra hands to hold hoses up.

[DoubleJ]

Okay great....so if i hold the hose straight upwards and want to put it back in, would it be a good idea to turn the bike sideways to have the brakes facing down to insert the hose in an upwards angle? or would the fluid leak out if the brakes faces downward?

 

If i insert the hose horisontally (brakes at a normal angle) will the fluid not escape the hose then? Just trying to avoid any air going in or fluid coming out. Thanks guys.

[Showtime]

- Just leave the bike standing normally. You can keep the top of the hoses horisontal briefly when inserting them again without the oil running out.

 

- Before you start remove the pads from the brakes and pump the brakes so the pistons push out a few millimeters a side. This stores some oil in the calipers so when you are done just push the pistons back in (not with a sharp object as they are ceramic) to push the oil back up the hose and push any air into the reservoir.

[DoubleJ]

- Just leave the bike standing normally. You can keep the top of the hoses horisontal briefly when inserting them again without the oil running out.

 

- Before you start remove the pads from the brakes and pump the brakes so the pistons push out a few millimeters a side. This stores some oil in the calipers so when you are done just push the pistons back in (not with a sharp object as they are ceramic) to push the oil back up the hose and push any air into the reservoir.

Ahhhh....genius. Thanks