[Dirtrider]

My wifes Sugar is having some trouble with the rear brake. When going downhill she can basically pull the lever all the way to the handlebar. THey were just bled at the LBS and I have put on a new rotor and pads but still getting lots of fade. Should I try and bleed them again and how easy is it?

thanks

 

[in the trees]

It's pretty easy once you get the hang of it. I just follow the instructions that Hayes provides in their kits and on-line. However, I prefer to use a large syringe instead of the squeeze bottle that is included in the Hayes kit. Use new DOT fluid, push the psitons fully back into their chambers before bleeding, and slowly bleed to allow all the air to escape. I recently had to remove my rear brake completely from the bike in order to get all the air out of the line. (I think bubbles where being trapped in odd places as the line routed along the frame.) Good luck and take you time. It may take a few tries to get it to complete work.

toby

 

[StinkLink]

Last post covered most of the tips on bleeding that I can think of, but here's a few more.

How old are the pads? It takes a few rides to break them in. BUT if the lever is just pulling all the way back (and they just came from the shop) it sounds like you probably have a leak

Also, check the limit screw for the lever. I don't know the technical term for it, but its the little bolt at the outside end of the lever piston, as it attaches to the backside of the lever blade. If the bolt is set too far out you might not be pushing the piston in far enough to get good braking power. That could then make it extremely difficult to break in your new pads. This is another possiblitity.

As for my own experience, once i did all things mentioned above, then replaced the brake line, then even the master cylinder. Nothing helped no matter how many times i bled the lines. Finally I sent it all back to Hayes, and they sent me back a setup with a new caliper, properly bled, and ready to go. Good service after all the bs i went through trying to fix it myself.

p.s. that is the only problem i've ever had with my hayes brakes

 

[vibiker]

I recently had to remove my rear brake completely from the bike in order to get all the air out of the line.

Another trick is to tap the line with your finger as you are adding fluid, starting at the caliper and moving up. Doing it slowly can help chase any bubbles up to the lever body.

 

[Dartman]

The inner lining of the hose could be leaking into the housing. You can bleed about 3 time before you build up enough pressure to cause an external leak. Look for kinks in the hose. Usually at the lever body or where it may be attached to the frame.

Snap the lever a couple times during bleeding to shake loose any bubbles in the system.

Mike

 

[keen]

One major step I neglected to follow on a Hayes bleed got me in trouble. CALIPER BLEEDING w/ a syringe: You must bleed the caliper to release trapped air. To bleed the caliper inject some fluid into the caliper then hold the lever down to isolate the caliper then pull back on the syringe to create a vacuum which will draw out trapped air. I initially tried injecting massive amounts of fluid w/o caliper bleeding and everytime was left w/ too much lever travel. Bled the caliper then injected fluid - perfect lever.

 

[richcreek]

i had the same problem with mine i bled them and nothing then i cleaned the pads and the rotor with rubbing alcohol and that solved the problem.