Oops! Fix (most) hydraulic disc brakes

This guide shows you the basic idea of why not to squeeze your brake lever while your wheel is off. This fix works on most hydraulic disc brakes, but some need to be decompressed evenly on both sides to ensure good performance. Now that you know the basics, find some information on your specific brakes.

If you bought a mountain bike with hydraulic disc brakes, chances are the shop technician gave you a stern warning: Don’t pull the brake lever with the wheel off. You’ll be sorry. They might have even given you these wedges to put in place to prevent it.

Normally the pads push against the disc when you squeeze the lever. If you do this with the wheel off, the pistons push in too far, and basically contact your disc brake 100% of the time. It’s not fun to ride like this.

Luckily it’s easy to fix. You just need to push the pistons back out, no special tools required. First remove your brake pads, which is usually a matter of pulling out, or unscrewing a pin at the base. They then pull out from the other side.

Once you’ve removed the brake pads, just push the pistons back out firmly with a tool. Really, almost any tool is okay for this purpose. There’s one on each side. They won’t move much, but you will notice it. Reinstall your pads, and you’re done! No big deal.

Your wheel should spin free and clear now. I hope this helps someone out. Thanks for riding with me today, and I’ll see you next time.

[jamesroysullivan]

This is one of the most straight forward and quick tutorials. No BS and fear angles to show what’s happening! Thanks Seth!

[justinrees]

Thank you seth finally someone who actually tells you how to fix disk brakes

[SeptemRoptem]

For those trying this: you need to push harder than you think.
Btw thanks for the video, helped a lot

[paulmcgarry]

What a brilliantly clear explanation, that gets straight to the point without the usual 10 minute waffle most you tubers seem to go for. Really appreciate this mate, as my kid did exactly this today with his new hydraulics so you have also saved his christmas! Cheers.

[tatolee]

Lifesaver! Mine didn't let the disc in the caliper, thus could not reinstall the front tire at all! And the straightforward format of the tutorial is the absolute best. Thanks.

[ryandaglish]

Phew that saved me
I was cleaning my bike and I accidentally squeezed my breaks when the wheel was off and I panicked
Thanks Seth

[mtaviator]

Fully admit that it's not the proper method, but i dont bother removing the pads. I just take a wide flat blade, wedge it in, give it a twist, then go for a quick ride and mash the brakes a few times. That evens them out.

[vinnyvernon]

Finally a video that gets straight to the point and tells how to resolve the problem without taking you through 15mins of bullshit or someone trying their best to be famous, 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 gold star and I never ever leave comments.

[ethansloss]

The reason it f*cks up when you pull the brakes in without the disc in place is because it's meant to compensate for brake pad wear.

[GuitarHeroTrebor]

This is literally the exact video I needed!!! You for sure helped me out! Thanks

[ActiveDataTools]

I love one minute videos that get to the point and just tell you the info you need. Good job!

[zane]

6 years later and Seth still coming in clutch for my life.

[BrucePinchbeck]

This video was like a blessing. I’ve been struggling so long trying to figure out exactly what went wrong and most brake videos were overwhelming. This was tutorial perfection.

[smeghjee]

6 years later and it's still helping people! Thank you so much

[mabrukdcuo]

i was searching the internet almost a week long to solving my bproblem. now i found your video and u fixed my problem in a minute. thank you

[ikemanproductions]

This helped me out 7 years later lmao great vid! No bullshit just straight to the point I love it!!

[makinmovezify]

Worked for me. Thanks for the video. Quick, and decisive. There's so much technology in bicycles it's amazing. Thanks again.

[marek_mv]

I was avoiding to fix my brake for weeks. If I only knew it was this easy. Thanks a lot for simple straight forrward tutorial.

[Seanlamoureux]

Have a team practice tomorrow, just pulled my bike off the trainer and the rear brake is stuck. This video just saved my ass. Thanks a million!

[afewspokesloose]

Legend, thanks Seth. I've been poking at your channel for a couple of years since I got my MTB but in the last 2 months or so I've probably ridden triple the distance on it from all the previous time. Since then, I've been looking at your videos every day and this just saved me now I've completely killed some pads and replaced them.