🛠️ What Is the Recommended Way to Bleed Shimano Hydraulic Disc Brakes?

If your Shimano hydraulic disc brakes feel spongy, inconsistent, or sluggish, it’s probably time for a brake bleed. Bleeding your brakes removes air bubbles from the hydraulic fluid—restoring crisp, predictable braking performance. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the recommended method for bleeding Shimano disc brakes, including the tools you’ll need and tips to keep your bike running safely and smoothly. Check out our road bike hydraulic brakes.

🔧 What You’ll Need

• Shimano bleed kit (funnel, stopper, syringe)
• Shimano-compatible mineral oil
• 7mm or 8mm spanner (check your caliper)
• Clean rags or paper towels
• Isopropyl alcohol
• Brake block spacer or pad spacer
• Latex/nitrile gloves (optional)
• Bike stand or stable work area

💡 Pro Tip: Always use Shimano mineral oil—never DOT fluid. Mixing them can permanently damage your brake system.

🛠️ Step-by-Step Shimano Brake Bleed Process

1. Remove the Wheel and Brake Pads: Use a bleed block or spacer to prevent piston movement.
2. Position the Bike: Level the brake lever for best results.
3. Attach the Funnel: Remove bleed screw, insert funnel and stopper.
4. Prepare the Caliper: Attach a syringe filled with mineral oil to the caliper bleed nipple.
5. Push Oil Through: Remove the stopper and push oil gently until no more air bubbles appear.
6. Close the System: Tighten nipple, remove syringe, stopper, and funnel. Clean up excess fluid.
7. Reinstall Pads and Wheel: Pump the lever until braking feels solid.

🎥 Watch the Process: MTB Brakes

This video demonstrates the full bleed process for Shimano MTB brakes using a standard funnel and syringe kit:

🎥 Bleeding Shimano Brakes on Road & Gravel Bikes (Drop Bars)

Using drop bars? This video shows how to properly bleed Shimano hydraulic brakes on road and gravel bikes, using the Park Tool BKM-1.2 bleed kit:

🛒 Looking for a workshop-quality kit for mineral oil brakes? Check out the Park Tool BKM-1.2 Hydraulic Brake Bleed Kit – trusted by both home and professional mechanics.

🧼 Final Tips

• ✓ Test before riding
• ✓ Clean thoroughly with isopropyl alcohol
• ✓ Replace contaminated or worn pads

Check out our high-performance Shimano 4-piston eco pads for a top-tier upgrade.

🛒 Recommended Brake Fluids

• Shimano Disc Brake Mineral Oil – 100 ml ✓ OEM formula for consistent lever feel and long life.
• BleedKit Fluid Gold Hydraulic Oil – 100 ml ✓ Ultra-high boiling point (360°C) for extreme conditions.

🔧 Recommended Bleed Kits

Explore our full range here: Shimano Bleed Kits Collection

• Shimano TL-BR Bleed Kit ✓ Includes TL-BR001/002/003 & spacers
• Premium MTB 2–4 Piston Kit
• Workshop Kit Gold (Inc. Fluid)
• Basic Flat Bar MTB Kit

🦍 Premium Pads Deserve Premium Performance

Bleeding your Shimano brakes keeps you riding sharp and safe. Match your fresh bleed with Gorilla Brakes pads—engineered for power, control, and eco-conscious design.

🏁 Shimano Factory Racing Upgrades

Take your braking to the next level with our Shimano Factory Racing Pads — built for elite-level heat resistance, modulation, and endurance. Ideal for E-MTBs, enduro, and downhill performance.