How to install Shimano hydraulic disc brakes (MEASURE, SHORTEN, INSTALL+BLEED) | Syd Fixes Bikes

[@sydfixesbikes]

If this video was helpful and saved you time and/or money, consider supporting the channel by hitting the "Thanks" button above to leave a tip.

[@echoactual1776]

Consider learning the names of parts before making a video.

[@mikecarter6758]

I watched this video just to see new bike parts. They are like unicorns in these times. External brake hoses are beautiful to me... Thanks, as always, for the great tips!

[@mjbrakspear]

I wish I had watched this a few hours ago. I can confirm that if "when in doubt hold things" is great advice. I had mine on the bars and the oil just poured out!

[@adrianTNT]

Thanks 😁

[@waynecallister2236]

Anthropomizing bike parts is an under-rated shop skill! Than you for another fun and informative video.

[@blacktexasz]

The one minute summary at the end is so clutch.. awesome video idea

[@thorestey]

Aaaaah, perfect. Right on time for my custom build I will be doing this summer

[@rambler1277]

Best video I’ve seen so far. You’re the first ones to mention that the olive is pre-installed on new brakes

[@sydfixesbikes]

Usually it is (it's always worth checking)

[@dalhuset]

Thank God the olive was already installed on my brand-new XT deore brakes. I was bummed out at the prospect of having to go out tomorrow and buy some brass olives. When I called Jensen USA to order front and rear brakes I consulted a gear tech on the phone to make sure I ordered everything I needed. Initially I was pissed off that he didn’t recommend a pair of olives. Thanks to your video, I realized it was already installed without having to take the whole thing apart to find out. Good job Syd!

[@srich8251]

Exactly why Im here now replacing my Guide with Shimano Saint, didn't see an olive and was so frustrated, Thanks to Syd and Mac!

[@nmonye01]

The 1 minute summary at the end is brilliant. Another great video.

[@ryan0io]

For anybody listening, but not watching the video. Please do not use a crescent wrench (generically called adjustable wrench). Use the correctly shown 8mm open ended wrench or spanner. Crescent wrenches (adjustable) can round off / strip what you're trying to work on.

[@hannes6114]

I used one :) Didn't brake anything but I spilt a bit of oil since i hard too much strength with it

[@hannes6114]

Yeah, couldn't find the right stuff at home

[@knightsljx]

you can use whatever tool as long as you know what you're doing. some cheap wrenches actually have too much play and can strip the bolt as well. nothing wrong with adjustable as long as you set them correctly

[@stopdropandroll]

You can use adjustable wrenches if you're not a complete moron

[@elobiretv]

@@knightsljx Nah, there's a reason you wont ever see a mechanic use a adjustable wrench. Just buy a decent set of spanners.

[@pentiuman]

The 1-minute summary at the end, helps me understand what I just saw.

[@dogbreath6974]

@4:00 the mark on the hose is NOT a cut line, it is an insertion mark. If you cut the hose then you need to remark the length so you know it's inserted fully.

[@lawnchair4]

It’s crucial to properly torque the bolt to crush the olive and ensure the brake hose does not come out. Ask me how I know: I never torqued in the past, had a crash, brake hose was pulled out. Without proper torque you will never know if your brakes are safe. Suggest adding this to your video. Appreciate all the content you produce! Keep it coming.

[@blipblop3745]

I could not find a totorial from park tool for this thank you guys for making this!

[@danboyes7477]

Very helpful as I'm putting new brakes on my bike soon. Thank you 👍

[@srich8251]

just installed a Saint front brake the only issue I've had is pulling that plastic pin that prevents the lever from moving pre install, giving me fits! Always something

[@sydfixesbikes]

Yeah sometimes they're really hard to get out.

[@Strahotski]

I just discovered your channel and I love it. I needed help on fixing my noisy disc brakes and now I'm watching all your vids!

[@sydfixesbikes]

Welcome!

[@richardhaselwood9478]

Thanks for the videos guys. Just an aside, your fork maintenance vid is probably more useful to me for doing a lower service on my sodding Suntour fork, than the actual videos on the Suntour YT page. They do take you through all the steps, but they don't mention anything about how much oil to squirt in. Good grief......

[@Drt0Kkdo]

Instructions: Use your hose cutting tool Me with my paper craft store cutter: I see...

[@RenaxTM91]

I mean that tool looks nice and all, but how many people have that kind of tools at home? Chances are if you have the tool you don't really need a "how to" to use it.. sidecutters and yellow vice blocks gets the job done for us normal people..

[@stevearkie5722]

I like the video at first I thought it would very hard just go thru all the steps and your finished ..

[@kingdashhk]

i won the lottery and i brought the xtr 9120 brakes and they are so powerful when it comes to emergency sudden brakes

[@theshedMTB]

Another good episode covering something really usefull!

[@wilkinsonlee9278]

great, i am going to try that out at home soon.

[@bespokebiketourslaketekapo179]

Hey Syd, do you have a video that demonstrates the reverse procedure? For example, how to remove the whole hydraulic braking system. I'm

[@sydfixesbikes]

No video but it's pretty straightforward: Unscrew the bolt that holds the brake line into the lever (it's better to do this with the lever removed from the handlebars). Pull the brake line out (it will have the olive crushed onto the end). If you need to remove the brake line from the frame and it's internally routed, you'll need to trim enough of the line to remove the olive and barb then pull the line out (it stays connected to the caliper). To reinstall you'll need a new barb and olive and to do a lever bleed as you'll likely lose some fluid as you pull the line out.

[@Wainsix]

You don't really need the Shimano hose cutting tool specifically but if you don't have it you'll need other tools...

[@mattkavanaugh5623]

I just replaced the rear brake hose on a frame b/c the existing hose was too short. I used a box cutter to cut the hose and hose vise clamp ($14) to hold the hose while tapping in the barb/insert with a mallet. Lots of videos online show this technique, it worked fine, and I did not have to buy an expensive brake hose barb inserting tool. :).

[@MashedTomatoGaming00]

Been waiting for this! Thanks for the upload

[@brutallord9427]

Very help full to all

[@Pure_KodiakWILD_Power]

Good to see you, it's been awhile

[@jamesemery1]

glad you spotted that you had put the front brake lever on the left before anyone rode it and put themselves over the bars

[@jc10747]

Excellent. Separated parts also allow changing hands: dominant hand on the front brake....allows greater dexterity of dominant hand to help with feathering front brake. Non-dominant on rear prevents its on/off action (less dexterity) from causing endos, and frees up right hand for feeding while still controlling speed with left/rear brake.

[@electrathewonderdog]

Good point on a mtb, also in the UK for example brakes are on the other side. So you can execute a right turn signal whilst using just one, rear being safer, brake

[@oi32df]

if you have always ridden motorcycles before it helps to switch sides. For the trail it may be better to be able to shift the rear derail while controlling the rear brake instead of the front one.

[@louielobina4331]

I thought the camera man was jhonny sins

[@ricoreyes4329]

can u teach us how to or when to refill or replace the tire sealant for our tubeless tires thanks

[@tomahoks]

Over 50000 subs, congrats!

[@sydfixesbikes]

Thanks!

[@Fitandover40]

2:09 when having to install a new handlebar. One may need to cut or to replace for a longer one.

[@siyz250]

Still blows my mind that somewhere in history someone decided it would a good idea to have the brake levers on the opposite sides of the handlebars depending on what hemisphere you are in. Unlike with driving sides of the road (who knows what side is actually better) being in NZ we have the most powerful, front brake actuated by the most powerful & most dominant hand... The right side 🙂

[@sydfixesbikes]

But here we have the rear shifter on the same side as the rear brake 😉 And I'm pretty sure the reason it's different is because driving on different sides of the road and being able to signal with the outside arm while keeping your hand on the rear brake.

[@jamescourier1545]

It only makes sense to me to put front brake in the right, like motorcycles. Hello from America

[@sparkoceanic]

The imperial measuring system and the idiots that use it is worse. Imagine measuring stuff in fractions of a random ass number rather than the simply beautiful base 10 system that metric is

[@walken199]

It’s probably halfway through this video that I realize that I’m not gonna do this and I’m gonna go to the bike shop, great video anyway

[@uncledrake3044]

Hello new subscribers here😊😊😊 from Philippines 🇵🇭

[@darrinkulyk9560]

Excellent Vid 😎 Thanks I Just Got Some Saints I'm Enjoying Them BigTime 😃

[@robertosandoval7301]

Great video :) Cheers from Costa Rica, Pura vida :)

[@lubosmuzik8766]

Nice, everything is visible.

[@BeniKenesei]

3:42 If you leave that thing on the cable, then when you cut it there's gonna be no oil spill😇

[@fabricestorm]

You are absolutly amazing… Tank You🤩

[@aleksandarrakic6465]

Excellent video.

[@duduplaygame4199]

3:54 so I must cut the cable? Like ,there is not anything I can do to remove the black plug?

[@JamesLG4]

Great video. Thanks.

[@oi32df]

Internal routing: the best idea to have the largest number of customers at your LBS

[@alvinnieves590]

I swapped a set of XT brakes to XTR (2 piston) on my Orbea Oiz last winter. Assumed that the brake lines were the same... except that the XTRs dont use the banjo bolt (4 pistons do), so... internal routing and really pissed about it, took a cup of coffee and onto rerouting the new brake cables.

[@anghellitoss]

claro, porque yo en mi tengo en un rincón la herramienta de shimano para cortar el cable

[@michaelruelle5508]

Great video. Any plans to do a video about cable disc brakes and adjusting those? Could use some pointers on adjusting the pad spacing and adjusting cable tension on cable disc brakes.

[@sydfixesbikes]

We don't have any cable actuated disc brakes, so probably not unfortunately. From memory, assuming only one side is moving (which is common for mechanical disc), you want the static side as close to the rotor as possible without rubbing and then tighten the cable until the pad that moves is similarly close.

[@aliassmithandjones9453]

that's an 'end wrench'. A crescent wrench is adjustable.

[@vitorvieira4951]

Perfect video

[@michaelbruin8972]

Well done.

[@MrSlickrickj]

Purchased a brand new Trek Dual Sport, after 10 rides the Shimano front break completely failed. Is this normal for a NEW BIKE? As a new bike owner, this was a bit surprising to visit the shop so soon. Any comments ?

[@DanTuber]

You could do a whole video on aggressive petting.

[@GHinWI]

Hmmm, not sure KZbin would show that. One of the other “tube” sites, definitely.

[@MeMelon4u]

@@GHinWI uhh,eeww

[@creekboi7]

Thanks!

[@JuanBunag-gw5ci]

I dont have the proper tools to cut the brake line the only thing i have is pliers pls help me

[@GokkunGuru]

Good video. Why is only a lever bleed done and not a full bleed which entails lever and caliper brake port? I'm new to this and I will be installing new brakes so I would like to know when to do a lever bleed and when to do a full bleed. Thanks.

[@sydfixesbikes]

Full bleed is for replacing the fluid in the lines which is necessary occasionally (once or twice a year, depending on how much you ride). Or if you have air in the middle of your lines (which is hard to do). Lever bleed is for getting air out of the lever which is the most common and what happens when you shorten a brake line.

[@sun27g]

While doing a lever bleed for the rear hydraulic brake, should pivot the bike so that rear caliper is the lowest point and not the bb...

[@sydfixesbikes]

Not necessary for a lever bleed. For a full bleed, yes, but after installing new brakes the won't be any air bubbles lower in the system, so you just need a lever bleed and don't have to worry about the caliper being the lowest point

[@scottt1412]

This is better than the park tools video, but that one is good too.. I saw one comment that mentioned the olive was not pre-installed in his xt lever, is there any harm in removing the screw to check first? I'm assuming since it's not tighten yet, that it's not going to compress the olive if just checking.. Or can you visually see the olive thru the hole? Thanks

[@sydfixesbikes]

You should be able to see it just by looking, but if in doubt you can remove to confirm.

[@newbieuserguy6899]

I prefer how-to videos to be as short as possible.

[@ted1558]

"I think this is the front house" ... SO FUNNY ! Are you sure, my dear, you are the right person to "teach" us how to do it ?

[@ThinkyPain]

3:47 - What on Earth is that noise you made? :D

[@miles2282]

The Roadrunner beep beep

[@AmvC]

10:18 Don't fill the cup with that (huge) amount of mineral oil. Half of it is more than enough. No need to contaminate the oil more than you have to with dust, flakes, residues in the cup, residues pulled and pushed into the cup, water from the humidity in the air ..., ... . Again: half of that is more than enough for a lever bleed. With the amount shown here, you can fill the whole brake line.

[@SalmanStunting]

Awesome video helpful, i want xtr brakes 😍 price?

[@clintondavies8098]

When you bleed the brakes why do need a shim between the brake pads? 🤔

[@sydfixesbikes]

Because you don't want to pull the lever while bleeding the brakes without anything between the pads (shim or rotor) or you'll have to reset the pistons (and the bleeding won't work).

[@mikeunwin8661]

Did you actually finish installing the front caliper?

[@SteffiReitsch]

olive and barb?

[@bwg2020]

thanks for this video Syd & Macky - everything worked *almost* perfectly :D with the new Shimano Deore XT 4 piston brakes. BUT - i forgot to put the rubber dust boot on BEFORE i put the brake line into the master cylinder at the lever! OOPS! i tried to get that line back out but it was too late, i didn't realize once you put the line in the 'olive' that compression nut keeps the line from coming out.. so... now what! :P Any ideas? seemed impossible to redo that. thanks again though my brakes work fine just missing a boot. :(

[@sydfixesbikes]

Been there! Your options are either ride it without the boot (no issues aside from aesthetics) or cut the boot, install it and electrical tape it back together.

[@MaQuGo119]

My front calipers came with some semispherical washers, should I take ém out?

[@sydfixesbikes]

Depends. Those are used when you need to use a brake mount adapter, so if you need an adapter. For example if your fork or frame is designed for 160mm rotors but you're using 180mm, you'll need a 20mm adapter which uses the semi-spherical spacers.

[@user-kw3ld1dx4x]

Hey quick question that I think you are best to ask. I am going with the Ari nebo with shimano xt brakes but was thinking shimano xt or xtr for the drive train. Also could go with gx axis. I am pretty happy with xt on my analog bike. Thoughts?? Love you guys here in Canada cheers!

[@sydfixesbikes]

I'd say no need to upgrade to XTR for the drivetrain. It's lighter, but that's it and since the Nebo has a motor anyway. We run full XT on our Nebos. And if you use the code "sydandmacky" at checkout you can get a free tubeless upgrade (just make sure you've added it to your cart).

[@mattgraves3709]

You can just stick the hose in there? Don't you need to set the barb and olive?

[@rahmanenam]

So when i have to add oil.

[@oscararmenta1593]

When are you planning to mention that break metal part doesn’t touch disc?

[@fadeflips8124]

If the barb is already on there do I still have to cut it to the brown line

[@sydfixesbikes]

Check if it's actually the barb in there. If it's new, most likely that's a plug (there isn't a hole in the center)

[@ChrisKilkenny-iq8wm]

Is it ok to hang a bike with hydraulic brakes brakes vertical from the front tire like the bikes in your workshop, hydraulic fluid wont leak out and contaminate pads?

[@sydfixesbikes]

As long as your hydraulic system doesn't have leaks, there is no issue with doing so. If you have leaks in the system, it doesn't matter how you store it, you will lose braking power and likely contaminate the pads depending on where the leak is.

[@kingerz]

My new XT brakes had no olive etc installed.

[@sakircycleclub4496]

India service best best

[@surron61]

Help my brake line won’t stick to the olive nutt even if I thight the 8 mm nut full. It’s brand new shimano slx 4 pistons

[@sydfixesbikes]

Make sure the brake line is through the olive. If not, then the olive won't crush and hold it in place.

[@surron61]

@@sydfixesbikesi think i tried squeeze it in pretty hard, it seemed like the olive thing was too small for the cable. Hmm imma try it again tomorrow.

[@JUSTIN.SHORTS]

What type of olive and barb do MT200 hydrolic fisc brakes take? Is it BH59 or BH90

[@Kengouru]

Hey, can you PLEASE help me? Is there a trick to remove that yellow stopper on te inside of the lever? Am I just being to careful? I can't get it out even pulling hard!

[@sydfixesbikes]

No trick, just pull. It does take a surprising amount of force.

[@Kengouru]

@@sydfixesbikesThanks! I've done this a few times before and it's always been easy. This time it was totally stuck and had to pull it out with pliers, pulling extremely hard!

[@normanmadden]

I'll keep smacking the olive into place with my wrench. /s

[@rocco9208]

Is bleeding a need

[@sydfixesbikes]

Not necessarily, but usually because it's easy to lose some oil while installing them

[@goonigoogoo5868]

do I seriously need to buy this "brake cutter tool". seems I can just cut it with scissors or shop blade

[@sydfixesbikes]

Scissors are likely to squish the brake line but if you have a really sharp exacto knife that will also work for cutting.

[@dowroa]

What in the.... I was just working on this!

[@Skiamakhos]

So *that's* what those curious orange bits were that came with my bike...

[@NapoleonBorn2Party]

I have a question, is it the same process for all hydraulic brakes?

[@sydfixesbikes]

It's the same basic process (cut the line and connect it to the lever) but different brake systems have slightly different install processes.

[@TR0N1X70]

hi, i fitted new pads in my shimano deore front brake. problem i have is the wheel will not rotate now. how do i fix this. no gap in pads for rotation.

[@sydfixesbikes]

You need to push out and reset the pistons. We do so at the beginning of this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pV68p4CIf9qhrdE)

[@CryptoRunner]

The viewer does not know what an "olive" is? Is it a compression ring?

[@sydfixesbikes]

Yup, it's a small metal compression ring.

[@GokkunGuru]

Can you cut the brake hose with a Park Tool shifter housing cutter?

[@sydfixesbikes]

No. Shifter housing cutters squeeze the line and are made to cut through the metal strands in the housing. Using them on a brake line will screw up the end of your brake line. Better to carefully use a sharp knife (like an exacto).

[@mrparrotman03]

Great bike. Cummute to work

[@Morvajo]

Was that a mini torque wrench? Could you please share which one you have?

[@sydfixesbikes]

It's the Feedback Sports one: bit.ly/3uUHrQV

[@eemil4059]

How can i put the gold pin to the cable if i don't have that machine that you used?

[@sydfixesbikes]

Clamp the cable in a vice using the yellow blocks that come with new brakes and lightly tap it into place with a hammer.

[@kiltymacbagpipe]

Can one reuse existing brake hoses presuming they are in good shape?

[@sydfixesbikes]

Yup

[@kiltymacbagpipe]

@@sydfixesbikes yay!

[@creekboi7]

Newb here. How does the barb allow for oil to pass through? I ask because I forgot to install the barb after shortening my new brake line. The factory one looked like it didn't have one on so i didn't re-install it. (I was wondering why they felt weak even after a bleed, I now know why. I'm still confused though as to how it works)

[@sydfixesbikes]

The barb is a hollow tube sorta thing. We've never seen what happens when you don't install it, but I suspect the barb keeps the brake hose from squishing together when you install it in the lever. So by forgetting it, I suspect as the olive crushes (that's what happens as you tighten that nut around the brake hose into the lever) it's squeezing the brake hose and that's limiting the amount of oil that can pass through.

[@creekboi7]

@@sydfixesbikes Thanks for the feedback! Practice makes perfect (almost perfect)

[@tubesockets120v]

If I'm swapping out a Shimano GRX lever (because it rattles), can I reuse the olive & barb?

[@sydfixesbikes]

As long as you aren't cutting the brake hose (which it sounds like you won't be) then yes!

[@chrishawkins4289]

you never showed how to attach the cable to the caliper

[@sydfixesbikes]

Generally the hose comes pre-attached to the caliper.

[@tubesockets120v]

Open end box 🔧 wrench, not crescent wrench.

[@g5magic]

Are the Front caliper and the rear caliper the same ?

[@sydfixesbikes]

In general, yes. And the install is the same.

[@fernandocruz9243]

hi, newbee here, tried to follow your instruction on how to install shimano easy hose joint system hydraulic brake, when i bleed it ,it leaks along the hose and connecting bolt.pls advise..thanks

[@sydfixesbikes]

Sounds like you may have forgotten the olive and/or barb or didn't hold the hose deep enough in place when installing it. Unfortunately you'll probably need to pull it apart and try again (and you will probably need a new olive).

[@fernandocruz9243]

@@sydfixesbikes hi there, thanks for your reply, you are right, the olive inside probably not aligned properly, so I removed it and replaced with a new one and made sure I pushed the cable hard enough while tightening the bolt..viola !!! no more leaks...