Shortening shimano brake hoses???

[Ben98]

Can anybody link me to a set of instructions for doing this?? I believe it can be done without the need for bleeding??
Cheers
Ben

[Wotsits]

Try-
http://techdocs.shimano.com/media/techd ... 604430.pdf

I've got a pdf, but don't know how to post it up!
Also loads of vids on youtube..

You'll need a new olive & barb for each hose..
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/s?q= ... hose+olive

[Bearbonesnorm]

I believe it can be done without the need for bleeding??

Usually it can ... make sure you shorton the hose at the lever not the caliper and don't touch the lever with the hose disconnected.

[Pirahna]

Takes a minute or so for each hose, I did two sets last week, so from memory:

Have at the ready:

New olive
New barb
Small hammer (to tap the barb in)
Cutters
Spanner 8mm I think
Small yellow blocks that came with the brakes if you have them
Something to clamp the blocks together, I used a carpenters clamp thingy

Work on the lever end and as mentioned, don't touch the lever.
Slide back the rubber boot
Undo the nut holding the hose in and slide it back down the hose.
Pull the hose out of the lever.
Cut the hose to length.
Slide on the new olive.
Tap in the new barb, I used the yellow blocks and clamp to hold the hose.
Put the hose back in the lever.
Slide up the olive and nut and tighten.
Put the rubber boot back.

Job done.

Note: when you cut the hose, because it's now open at both ends the fluid in the cut bit will run out.

[Ben98]

I love this forum :D

[Yorlin]

So do I!

WIll the olives in the tubs from the co-op do?

[FLV]

Take care when you clamp the hose, do it with just enough hose poking out to get the barb all the way in or move the blocks down the hose after starting.

Top tip, get everything you're using layed out ready.
Top tip 2, dont forget to put the olive on before you put the barb in.


I had to do a quick bleed on mine 2 out of the 4 times I've done it.

Bleeding is easy too though. Lots of youtube videos involving 2 syringes and all sorts which works but is over the top.

[Bearbonesnorm]

If you think you might have a bit of air in the system after shortening ... take the master cyclinder cap off and the rubber gasket - GENTLY flick the lever and the hose, you should see tiny bubbles rising to the surface. Leave it a few minutes and repeat. Top up fluid* if required and put the top back on - not forgetting the gasket.

*Remember Shimano DON'T use brake fluid.

[FLV]

If you think you might have a bit of air in the system after shortening ... take the master cyclinder cap off and the rubber gasket - GENTLY flick the lever and the hose, you should see tiny bubbles rising to the surface. Leave it a few minutes and repeat. Top up fluid* if required and put the top back on - not forgetting the gasket.

*Remember Shimano DON'T use brake fluid.

and dont forget the little plastic washer (white one) has a little orientation tab on it too.

*presuming these are new type shimano's

[Zippy]

and dont forget the little plastic washer (white one) has a little orientation tab on it too.

*presuming these are new type shimano's

What little white plastic washer?

[FLV]

and dont forget the little plastic washer (white one) has a little orientation tab on it too.

*presuming these are new type shimano's

What little white plastic washer?

It's only on the newer shimano brakes. Which ones have you got ?

[Zippy]

and dont forget the little plastic washer (white one) has a little orientation tab on it too.

*presuming these are new type shimano's

What little white plastic washer?

It's only on the newer shimano brakes. Which ones have you got ?

2011 XT, 2012 SLX, 2013 XTR and some 2007 LX kicking about sunbathing too. Not fitted the XTRs yet so haven't pulled the hose off yet...

[FLV]

XT

It has a little tab on it, sometimes it stickt to the other parts though

[Zippy]

XT

It has a little tab on it, sometimes it stickt to the other parts though

Oh right, I just left it attached to the bolt. That funnel thing makes bleeding a doddle - don't have to keep topping up the tiny reservoir or pull the whole top plate off. :)

[FLV]

I was too tight to buy the funnel. I used a bit of tube and a cheapo ebay syringe :D