Shimano TL-BT03 - Air Bleeding Kit Technical Service Manual
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Contents of kit
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Installation
![Shimano - TL-BT03 - Installing the tube holder Installing the tube holder]()
Install the tube holder as shown in the illustration.
Make sure that the direction of installation is correct.
![Shimano - TL-BT03 - Tube holder installation direction Tube holder installation direction]()
Tube holder installation direction
- Type where bleed screw is opened (using an oil funnel)
Be sure to read the Service instructions for "Adding mineral oil and bleeding air" together with these service instructions.
- Type where reservoir tank cover is opened
- With the spacer for bleeding (yellow) still attached to the calipers, place the bicycle into a bicycle stand or similar as shown in the illustration
![Shimano - TL-BT03 - Installation - Step 1 - Place a bicycle on a stand Installation - Step 1 - Place a bicycle on a stand]()
< BL type >
![Shimano - TL-BT03 - Installation for BL Type Installation for BL Type]()
Set so that the brake lever is parallel to the ground, and then remove the reservoir tank cover.
< ST type >
![Shimano - TL-BT03 - Installation for ST Type Installation for ST Type]()
Turn the lever unit so that the top of the reservoir tank is parallel to the ground, and then remove the reservoir tank cover.
Note : When reassembling, set the diaphragm so that it is aligned at the same angle as the base of the reservoir tank.
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- Cover the reservoir tank with the bleeding tool which has the oil funnel attached, and then secure with the clamp as shown in the illustration.
![Shimano - TL-BT03 - Installation - Step 2 - Cover the reservoir tank Installation - Step 2 - Cover the reservoir tank]()
Note:
Be careful not to overtighten the oil funnel when attaching it. - < In case of a bleed nipple type caliper >
Set a 7 mm socket wrench in place, fill the syringe with oil, and then connect a tube to the bleed nipple. Secure the bleed nipple and the tube with a tube holder, and then loosen the bleed nipple by 1/8 of a turn to open it. Push the plunger of the syringe to add oil. The oil will start coming out from the oil funnel. Continue adding oil until there are no more air bubbles mixed in with the oil that is coming out.
![Shimano - TL-BT03 - Installation In case of bleed nipple type caliper Installation In case of bleed nipple type caliper]()
![Shimano - TL-BT03 - Installation - Tube holder installation direction Installation - Tube holder installation direction]()
Tube holder installation direction
< In case of a bleed boss type caliper >
Fill the syringe with sufficient oil.
After attaching the arm bush to the end of the tube, connect the tube to the bleed boss.
Fasten the tube with the tube holder so that it will not be disconnected.
Loosen the bleed screw by 1/8 of a turn to open it.
Push the plunger of the syringe to add oil. The oil then starts coming out from the oil funnel. Continue adding oil until there are no more air bubbles mixed in with the oil that is coming out.
![Shimano - TL-BT03 - Installation In case of a bleed boss type caliper Installation In case of a bleed boss type caliper]()
- Once there are no more air bubbles mixed in with the oil, temporarily close the bleed nipple and remove the syringe.
Do not continually squeeze and release the lever at this point.
If this is not observed, air bubbles may remain mixed in with the oil inside the caliper, and it will take longer to bleed the air. (If the lever is continually squeezed and released, drain out all of the oil and then add oil again.)
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- Set a 7 mm socket wrench in place, and then attach the tube with the bottle to the bleed nipple as shown in the illustration.
Secure the bleed nipple and the tube with a tube holder, and then loosen the bleed nipple. After a little while, the oil and air will flow naturally from the bleed nipple into the tube. In this way it will be possible to easily extract the greater part of the air remaining inside the brake system. It may help to shake the hose gently or to tap the reservoir tank or caliper gently with a screwdriver or move the position of the caliper at this time.
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- The level of liquid inside the funnel will drop at this time, so keep filling the funnel with oil to maintain the level of liquid so that air is not drawn in (air does not get inside).
![Shimano - TL-BT03 - Installation - Step 3 - Maintaining the oil level Installation - Step 3 - Maintaining the oil level]()
- Once air bubbles stop coming out from the bleed nipple, temporarily tighten the bleed nipple.
![Shimano - TL-BT03 - Installation - Step 4 - Tightening a bleed nipple Installation - Step 4 - Tightening a bleed nipple]()
- With the brake lever depressed, open and close the bleed nipple in rapid succession (for approximately 0.5 seconds each time) to release any air bubbles which may be in the calipers. Repeat this procedure about 2 to 3 times. Then tighten the bleed nipple again.
Tightening torque:
4 - 6 N·m {35 - 52 in. lbs.} - If the brake lever is then operated, air bubbles in the system will rise up through the port into the oil funnel. Once the bubbles stop appearing, depress the brake lever as far as it will go. The normal condition is for the lever to be stiff at this point.
- Plug the oil funnel with the oil stopper so that the side with the O-ring attached is facing downward.
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- Remove the bleeding tool as shown in the illustration, fill the reservoir tank with oil and then replace the reservoir tank cover. Fill the reservoir tank to overflowing with oil while replacing the cover to ensure that no air bubbles remain inside the reservoir tank. In addition, be careful not to get any oil on parts such as the rotor and brake pads.
![Shimano - TL-BT03 - Installation - Step 6 - Replacing reservoir tank Installation - Step 6 - Replacing reservoir tank]()
Tightening torque:
0.3 - 0.5 N·m {2.7 - 4.3 in. lbs.} - Wipe away any oil which has flowed out.
* Service Instructions in further languages are available at: http://si.shimano.com
SHIMANO AMERICAN COPROPATION
One Holland, Irvine, California 92618, U.S.A. Phone: +1-949-951-5003
SHIMANO EUROPE B.V.
Industrieweg 24, 8071 CT Nunspeet, The Netherlands Phone: +31-341-272222
SHIMANO INC.
3-77 Oimatsu-cho, Sakai-ku, Sakai-shi, Osaka 590-8577, Japan
Please note: Specifications are subject to change for improvement without notice.
© Jul. 2014 by Shimano Inc. HTR
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