Description

Hydraulic Fluid Top Up – Service

Do you find your hydraulic brake levers spongy and brakes not working when you mash them?

You may be low on hydraulic fluid!

Hydraulic fluid is not supposed to leak! But does have to be replaced from time to time, especially for systems that use DOT versions of oils. But from time to time, there are reasons why the reservoirs may be low and need to be topped up. Here are some, but not all of the reasons!

• There may have been micro-bubbles in the lines at the time the fluids were (first) filled. Over time, they have either travelled to the reservoir (a desirable thing) or combined to form a big air pocket in the line (not desirable)
• The reservoir may already have had bubbles at the time of filling, the calipers were too far apart, the bubbles then travelled down the hoses when the bike was laid on it’s side or upside down
• Hydraulic fluid may have leaked when the calipers got too hot (especially when the brakes are constantly engaged going down a steep hill, such as the Al Amerat shortcut here in Oman)
• Hydraulic fluid may have leaked when the wheel was removed, and the brakes were accidentally pressed multiple times until they calipers reached their max point and started to leak.

This service is simply top-up and not full line flush! It does take time though.