davidonabike

tl:dr - 1 calliper popped out of hydraulic disc brake when cleaning. Lever doesn't depress callipers. Old stock lever that according to shop said is sticky and should be thoroughly cleaned or replaced. It's a stock Shimano "tier nothing" lever. Chainreaction sale selling deore set for half price, should I just replace, or try to fix it. That fact that the calliper has fallen out, is this a sign of the end? Or that I need to seriously bleed the brake.


As well, if I just bought the "rear lever" which I'm assuming is the end with the calliper that sqeezes the rotor (amateur hour) would it connect to my original front lever?

Thank you so much in advance

CliffordK

What fell out? Maybe the plunger or piston?

It may be something that is held in place by the pads. Remove the pads, and the piston falls out.

Anyway, if you reassemble it properly, you may have introduced an air bubble that will need to be bled.

Personally, I like to figure how things work, so I'd see if I could fix it. The knowledge could be a benefit at anytime in the future. Of course, don't spend more money on parts than it is worth.

jimc101

Replace, and learn how to handle disc brakes for the future, i.e. don't depress the lever with no pads/rotor installed, and you won't have this issue again.

For CRC selling Deore at 'half price', that the normal price for M615's

davidonabike

Thanks Clifford!

So you believe I've wrecked the brake beyond repair?

Clifford,
This is exactly what I did. Brake pads were out, and the piston popped out when I depressed the lever. I'd rather learn to fix it if possible.

I could tell the one of the pistons isn't functioning like the other. One of the pads half twice the amount of wear on it than the other.

jimc101

As a general rule, Shimano brakes are not serviceable beyond replacing the major components, i.e. the caliper, hose of levers. As your piston has popped out, you may be able to push it back in. but if the seals are damaged, you will not be able to get spares, hence why it's easier to replace.

In your case, you could replace the caliper, but for lower end brakes, just replacing the complete unit is often cheaper then parts.

If you want to get brakes which can be broken down to individual serviceable parts, you need to look at brakes like Hope, which are substantially more expensive.

davidonabike

Much appreciated. Hope looks like a pretty great manufacturer.

gsa103

Clean the piston of dirt, then push the piston back in. Bleed, then clean really throughly with isopropanol to get rid of the spilled mineral oil. If it works, great. If not, just buy some Deore/SLX brakes. Hydraulic disc brakes are very simple systems, there aren't really parts to replace.

For what it's worth, I've popped the pistons out and just shoved them back in before. So it's certainly doable.

Wheever

If you undo the bleed valve at the caliper, you'll be able to push the piston back in. (Have a rag ready to catch the overflowing fluid. ) if you haven't introduced air into the system somehow, you might not even need to bleed anything after doing this, but it's still recommended.

fietsbob

Ah, You touched the Hydro brake lever without 'the keeper' in and the wheel out, did we?