How to bleed an Avid Elixir brake?
In all motor sports, braking is an integral part of performance. Braking as late as possible to arrive at maximum speed in corners will only be possible if you can brake hard and efficiently! For this, there is no secret, you need a perfectly maintained hydraulic system! Follow this step-by-step tutorial to maintain your Avid brakes and stop you in your tracks!
Required tools
Glasses / Nitrile gloves / Bleed kit / Torx 10 / DOT fluid / Soft cloth / Brake degreaser.
1/ Remove front wheel
Remove the front wheel leaving the bike in its operating position, so that the lever is higher than the caliper.
2/ Syringe filling
Fill one syringe halfway and the second 1/4 full. Tap the syringe body to remove air bubbles and push them out by pushing on the plunger (use a cloth to catch excess liquid). Close the clamp on the syringe hose.
3/ Air vaccum
In order to remove the air from the liquid, create an air vacuum by pulling slightly on the plunger, repeat this several times. Repeat this process several times. Then flush out the bubbles again.
4/ Remove Pads
After unscrewing the pin, remove the pads and replace them with a shim so as not to contaminate them with brake fluid.
5/ Lead screws
For levers equipped with a pad attack adjustment, unscrew the adjustment completely so that the system can be filled to the maximum.
6/ Calliper opening
Unscrew the clamp screw using the 11 mm Torx key. Fit the half-filled syringe, ensuring that the liquid completely fills the syringe tube. Open the clamp.
7/ Lever opening
Unscrew the bleed screw on the lever, then insert the 1/4 full syringe. Open the clamp.
9/ Hose bleed
Push the fluid from the caliper to the lever until the bottom syringe is 1/4 full and the top half full.
10/ Locking lever
Close the clamp of the syringe lever, tighten the lever against the handlebar and hold it in place with a strap.
11/ Bleed caliper
Pull on the bottom plunger to create an air vacuum and then push the plunger back in to re-pressurise the system, repeat several times until no large air bubbles emerge from the caliper.
Caution: Do not pull too hard on the plunger as air may leak through the plunger seal.
12/ Release Lever
Remove the strap from the lever but hold the lever against the handlebar by hand. Push the plunger of the caliper syringe, letting the lever gradually return to its position.
13/ Dismantle syringe caliper
Remove the syringe and refit the bleed screw. Liquid should appear at the screw head indicating that no air bubbles have entered.
14/ Cleaning
Wipe off any excess liquid with a soft cloth.
15/ Lever bleeding
Open the syringe clamp on the lever, pull on the plunger to create an air vacuum and push gently to re-pressurise the system.
Caution: Do not pull too hard on the plunger as air may leak through the plunger seal.
16/ Activate Lever
Operate the lever about ten times, allowing it to return under the force of the spring alone, until no large air bubbles emerge from the lever.
17/ Putting pressure on
Push and let the plunger return one last time.
18/ Dismantle syringe lever
Remove the syringe and refit the bleed screw.
19/ Degrease
Spray the lever and caliper with a hydro-alcoholic brake solution and then wipe the whole assembly with a lint-free cloth.
20/ Refit pads and wheel
Remove the chock, refit the pads, refit the wheel, test the system. Bleeding affects the amount of fluid in the system and therefore the position of the pistons, it may be necessary to realign the caliper. If the feel is not satisfactory, repeat the procedure. Check the torque with a torque spanner.
