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How to Bleed SRAM Maven Disc Brakes

How to Bleed SRAM Maven Disc Brakes

How to Bleed SRAM Maven Disc Brakes

Just like your favourite coffee stops on a long ride, your SRAM brakes need a little refresh every now and then. SRAM recommends bleeding your mineral oil brakes at least once every two years—though if your brake levers are starting to feel as soft as that mid-ride pastry, it's time to give them some TLC.

In this guide, we'll walk you through the step-by-step process of bringing your SRAM Maven disc brakes back to life. We’ll be working on the SRAM Maven Ultimate on the front, but don’t worry—this process works just as well for other Maven models and the rear brake, too. Let's get started!

Tools and Supplies

How to bleed SRAM Maven brakes tools and supplies

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

  • Always wear safety glasses and nitrile gloves during the bleed procedure.
  • Place a container or mat on the floor underneath the area where you will be working on the brake to protect your floor.
  • Brake fluid should be disposed of responsibly. Do not pour used mineral oil down the drain or into a sewer. Consult your local council for disposal and recycling guidelines.

WARNING

  • Do not use DOT 4 or DOT 5.1 brake fluids when bleeding SRAM Maven brakes or any brakes which are designed to use mineral oil brake fluid. Doing so will damage the system and could result in brake failure.
  • Do not allow any brake fluid to come into contact with the braking surfaces. This includes brake rotors and brake pads. In the event of brake fluid contamination, the rotors must be thoroughly cleaned using brake cleaner or isopropyl alcohol and the brake pads must be replaced.

Prepare the Bike

Set your bike up in a work stand and remove the wheel from the bike according to the wheel manufacturer's instructions.

Removing MTB wheel from mountain bike. Black Fox suspension forks Removing MTB wheel from mountain bike. Black Fox suspension forks

Prepare the Syringes

Step 1

Install a threaded bleed assembly onto one of the syringes. This will be the lever syringe. Then install the longer bleed fitting onto the other syringe for the calliper.

Diagram showing how to attach bleed fittings onto bleed syringe for brake bleeding

Step 2

Fill the lever syringe with mineral oil brake fluid until it is around 3/4 full. Then fill the calliper syringe until it is around 1/4 full. DO NOT use DOT brake fluid to bleed SRAM Maven brakes.

Filling SRAM Maven lever bleed syringe with Epic Bleed Solutions mineral oil brake fluid from the bottle

Step 3

Carefully remove the air from both syringes by covering the tip with paper towel and pushing the syringe plunger to push out all of the air from inside the syringe and tubing. Close the clamps on both syringes.

SRAM Maven bleeding kit syringes filled with mineral oil brake fluid and tube clamps closed

Prepare the Calliper

Step 1

Remove the e-clip using a 2.5 mm hex wrench.

Removing e-clip from SRAM Maven Ultimate disc brake calliper using needle nosed pliers Removing e-clip from SRAM Maven Ultimate disc brake calliper using needle nosed pliers

Step 2

Using a 2.5mm hex wrench, remove the brake pad retaining bolt and then remove the brake pads from the calliper.

Removing brake pad retaining pin from SRAM Maven Ultimate disc brake calliper using 2.5mm hex wrench
Removing brake pad retaining pin from SRAM Maven Ultimate disc brake calliper Removing brake pads from SRAM Maven Ultimate disc brake calliper

Step 3

Use a piston press, tyre lever or similar tool to push the calliper pistons back as far as they will go.

Resetting the position of the SRAM Maven Ultimate calliper pistons using Park Tool tyre lever

Step 4

Insert the bleed blocks - one for each set of pistons.

Inserting Epic Bleed Solutions bleed block into SRAM Maven Ultimate brake calliper during bleed procedure Inserting Epic Bleed Solutions bleed block into SRAM Maven Ultimate brake calliper during bleed procedure

Step 5

Remove the rubber cover from the Bleeding Edge bleed port.

Removing rubber cover from SRAM Maven Ultimate brake calliper bleeding edge bleed port Removing rubber cover from SRAM Maven Ultimate brake calliper bleeding edge bleed port

Step 6

Using a 5mm hex wrench, loosen the bleed port valve slightly and then gently retighten. Wipe away any mineral oil that drips from the bleed port with a paper towel or cloth.

Loosening Bleeding Edge bleed valve on SRAM Maven Ultimate brake calliper with 5mm hex wrench Wiping excess mineral oil brake fluid from SRAM Maven Ultimate brake calliper with rag

Step 5

Insert the syringe with the Bleeding Edge tool into the bleed port until it clicks into place. Rotate the tool counter-clockwise one full turn to open the system and open the syringe clamp.

Inserting Bleeding Edge bleed tool into SRAM Maven Ultimate Bleeding Edge bleed port SRAM Maven Ultimate brake calliper with Bleeding Edge tool inserted into bleed port during brake bleeding procedure

Prepare the Lever

Step 1

Adjust the lever reach adjuster until the lever blade is 75-80mm from the centreline of the handlebar.

Adjusting lever reach screw on SRAM Maven Ultimate brake lever during bleed procedure

Step 2

If your lever has a Contact Point Adjustment, turn the adjuster away from the arrow until it stops.

Adjusting Contact Point Adjuster on SRAM Maven Ultimate brake lever during bleed process
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Do not force the contact adjuster past the stop point; it may damage brake components.

Step 3

Remove the bleed screw from the lever using a T10 TORX wrench.

Removing lever bleed port screw on SRAM Maven Ultimate master cylinder using Wera 811/1 Stubby Screwdriver and T10 bit Removing lever bleed port screw from SRAM Maven Ultimate brake lever with fingers

Step 4

Thread the 3/4 full syringe into the brake lever bleed port and open the clamp. Wipe away any mineral oil that drips from the bleed port with a paper towel or cloth.

Attaching the lever bleed fitting and syringe to SRAM Maven Ultimate master cylinder bleed port during bleed procedure Bleed syringe attached to SRAM Maven Ultimate lever bleed port screw during brake bleed procedure

Bleed the System

Step 1

Hold the lever syringe vertically and gently push down on the syringe plunger, stopping before any air enters the brake system. Oil will flow down through the system and into the calliper syringe.

SRAM Maven Ultimate bleed procedure calliper and lever bleed syringes

If the oil entering the calliper syringe is discoloured, continue to push all of the old oil out of the system and restart the bleed procedure with new oil in both syringes.

Step 2

Now hold the calliper syringe upright and gently push down on the calliper syringe plunger to push oil back towards the lever syringe, stopping before any air enters the brake system. If needed, slowly pull on the lever syringe plunger to assist in drawing oil from the calliper syringe.

SRAM Maven Ultimate brake bleeding procedure syringes

Step 3

Repeat this process of moving oil from one syringe to the other until no more air can be seen exiting the system at either end.

Step 4

Close the clamp on the calliper and lever syringes.

Closing the lever syringe tube clamp on SRAM Maven bleed kit Closing the calliper syringe tube clamp on SRAM Maven bleed kit

Step 5

Rotate the Bleeding Edge tool clockwise until it stops in order to close the system.

Step 6

Remove the calliper syringe and bleed fitting by pulling the fitting straight out from the calliper bleed port.

Removing Bleeding Edge tool from SRAM Maven Ultimate calliper bleed port during bleed procedure

Step 7

Use a 5mm hex wrench to tighten the Bleeding Edge bleed valve to 1.8Nm (16in-lb).

Step 8

Wipe away any mineral oil brake fluid which may drip from the bleed port with a paper towel or cloth.

Cleaning SRAM Maven Ultimate brake calliper with rag and water

Step 9

Open the clamp on the lever syringe.

SRAM Maven Ultimate lever bleed syringe with clamp open

Step 10

Squeeze and release the lever blade 3-5 times allowing it to snap back to its resting position. This will help to dislodge any air bubbles which may still be trapped in the master cylinder.

Squeezing and releasing SRAM Maven Ultimate lever blade during brake bleed procedure Squeezing and releasing SRAM Maven Ultimate lever blade during brake bleed procedure

Step 11

While holding the lever syringe vertically, create a vacuum by pulling on the syringe plunger. Then compress the plunger to pressurize the system. Repeat until no more bubbles appear.

Creating a vacuum at the SRAM Maven Ultimate lever bleed port using syringe and bleed kit

Step 12

Lightly compress and release the lever syringe plunger to equalise the pressure inside the system.

Step 13

Close the clamp on the syringe at the lever.

Closing the tube clamp on the lever syringe during bleed process SRAM Maven Ultimate brakes

Step 14

Remove the syringe from the lever bleed port by unthreading the bleed fitting. Wipe away any mineral oil that drips from the bleed port with a paper towel or cloth.

Removing the bleed kit fitting from SRAM Maven Ultimate lever bleed port

Step 15

Reinstall the lever bleed port screw by using the T10 TORX tool. Tighten the bleed screw on the lever to 1.6 Nm (14 in-lb).

Reinstalling the SRAM Maven Ultimate lever bleed port screw Reinstalling the SRAM Maven Ultimate lever bleed port screw using Wera 811/1 Stubby Screwdriver and T10 bit

Step 16

Wipe away any mineral oil that drips from the bleed port with a paper towel or cloth.

Step 17

Spray isopropyl alcohol or water onto the lever and clean with a paper towel or cloth.

Cleaning the lever assembly on SRAM Maven Ultimate master cylinder with rag and water

Clean Up and Reassemble

Step 1

Remove the bleed blocks from the calliper.

Removing Epic Bleed Solutions bleed block from SRAM Maven Ultimate brake calliper during brake bleeding procedure

Step 2

Spray isopropyl alcohol or water onto the calliper and clean with a paper towel or cloth.

Cleaning SRAM Maven Ultimate brake calliper with rag

Step 3

Install the rubber bleed port cover.

Reinstalling the rubber cover into Bleeding Edge bleed port valve

Step 4

Remove or replace your rubber gloves to avoid contaminating the brake pads and reinstall the brake pads into the brake calliper.

Reinstalling SRAM Maven Ultimate brake pads

Step 5

Install the brake pad retainer bolt using the 2.5mm hex wrench and tighten to 1.1 Nm (9 in-lb) and then reinstall the e-clip.

Reinstalling brake pad retaining pin on SRAM Maven Ultimate brake calliper
Reinstalling brake pad retaining pin on SRAM Maven Ultimate brake calliper using 2.5mm hex wrench Reinstalling e-clip on SRAM Maven Ultimate brake calliper using needle nose pliers

Step 6

Reinstall the wheel according to the wheel manufacturer's instructions.

Reinstalling MTB wheel Fox black suspension forks

Step 7

Lightly squeeze and release the brake lever repeatedly to advance the calliper pistons. The first couple of squeezes will feel slack as the pistons advance, this is normal. The lever should feel firm after 3-4 pulls.

Operating SRAM Maven Ultimate lever blade following bleed procedure

Step 8

At the calliper, check that the brake pads are evenly spaced on either side of the brake rotor. If they are not, loosen the calliper fixing bolts using a 5mm hex wrench and adjust the alignment of the calliper. Tighten the bolts to 9.5Nm (85 in-lb).

Loosening SRAM Maven Ultimate brake calliper fixing bolts using 5mm hex wrench to align brake calliper with rotor
Correct alignment of SRAM Maven Ultimate brake calliper with brake rotor following SRAM Maven bleed procedure

Wrap Up

And there you have it! Your brakes should now feel sharper than your best sprint finish. Regularly bleeding your SRAM Maven disc brakes is key to keeping them in trail-ready condition and those internals squeaky clean.

Remember to give your brakes a quick test to make sure they’re working like a dream. Oh, and don't forget to clean your bleed kit with some soapy water — future you will thank you when it’s time for another tune-up!

NOTICE

Brake fluid must be disposed of responsibly. Do not pour used mineral oil down the drain or into a sewer. Consult your local council for disposal and recycling guidelines.

FAQ

How often should SRAM Maven brakes be bled?

We recommend bleeding SRAM Maven brakes every two years. Unlike DOT fluid, mineral oil doesn’t absorb moisture, allowing for longer service intervals and more consistent performance between bleeds. Read more

What should I do if my brake lever feels spongy after bleeding the brakes?

If your brake lever feels spongy after bleeding, it’s likely due to trapped air in the system. Re-bleed the brakes carefully, ensuring all air bubbles are removed, and check for any leaks around the calliper or master cylinder. Read more

What can I do if DOT brake fluid was used to bleed my SRAM Maven brakes?

If the wrong brake fluid was used, the brakes could be damaged. The longer it's left in, the worse the impact. Start by flushing the system with the correct fluid, but you may need to dismantle, clean or replace seals and rebuild the brake. In some cases, full brake replacement may be necessary.

What should I do if my brake pads are dragging on the rotor after bleeding?

If your brake pads are dragging on the rotor after bleeding, re-check the calliper alignment and ensure it’s properly positioned with equal spacing between the brake pads and the rotor on both sides. If necessary, realign the calliper while applying the brake lever to centre it, then recheck for any interference.

Why do my brakes feel overly firm with no modulation?

If your brakes feel overly firm with no modulation, it may be due to overfilling the brake system with fluid resulting in excessive pressure in the system. This can happen if the calliper pistons were not fully reset prior to bleeding the brake or if the brake is bled with the brake pads and wheel in situ. To fix this, remove the lever bleed port screw and fully push back the calliper pistons to restore the correct fluid level and balance the system. Read more

Why do my brakes make noise when I apply them after bleeding?

If your brakes are making noise after bleeding, it may be due to brake pad contamination with brake fluid, which will also reduce braking power. In this case, it’s almost always necessary to replace the contaminated pads with new. Remember to clean the rotor surface with isopropyl alcohol or brake cleaner thoroughly before installing new pads.

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Alex Mansell, Head Honcho

Shedding light on the dark art of hydraulic brake bleeding. Rides bikes when time permits.