SRAM Guide Sticky Brake Lever Rebuild

If you've got a SRAM Guide R, RS, RSC or Ultimate (or probably any other SRAM brakes) and the lever is slow and sticky, you're probably suffering from a swollen master cylinder piston. This is how you replace it with a new one (which was supposedly redesigned and won't suffer from the swelling problem anymore).
Also I went back and checked and found the second bleeder port screw, it was hiding under a little ziplock bag. Just in case you guys were worried.

[@jacko101]

Nice video, I laughed when you dropped it on the floor, exactly what I did.😆 I'm glad you didn't edit that bit out, shows we're all human. I gave up trying to find pliers that would fit, instead I used two small screwdrivers to push the snap ring (or circlip as we in the uk call it) together. Also a head torch was really helpful!

[@zigutron]

Great explanation. Thanks for the video.
Nice nail color, by the way!

[@onefishfrank9145]

Well done, thank you!

[@njasicko]

Thank you!

[@imshahabkhan]

Great video. Where did you find the parts?

[@Nicoya]

Just got them off Amazon.

[@imshahabkhan]

Thank you. My mtb bike SRAM G2 RE brake lever blade got bent. I couldn’t find it anywhere online.

[@Nicoya]

@@imshahabkhan As I recall the Guide RE is just the Guide R lever paired with the Code caliper, I assume the G2 is the same (the G2 was just a small refresh on the Guide). You should probably be able to use a G2 lever blade from the R level or below (without the extra linkage between the lever and the piston in the fancier models).

[@romatou18]

Great video! almost lost my sh** trying to get this stup** snap ring out. gotta hate SRAM for such silly design! not to mention finding the right pliers with tips thin enough 0.8 or 0.9mm is hard to find and very expensive like 40 USD+ just for the pliers!!!

[@Nicoya]

Yeah I had to search around a while before I found the ones that ended up working right.

[@romatou18]

I ended up getting a basic pair with 2mm tips and file them until getting to the right 0.8 0.9mm tip, think the only ones that work well but are expensive and fragile apparently on top if being expensive, are the Parktools RP-1. 0.9mm tip.
Bottom line is those brakes are like a BMW, bloody german made, good mechanical qualities, but when failing, parts are hard to find and very expensive. Next time I buy a MTB illd definitely go for a shimano equipped one.

[@Nicoya]

@@romatou18 The Motion Pro snap ring pliers I used are about the same $25 as the Park RP-1, and so far have held up well.
That said, I've been told that SRAM will RMA the sticky levers for free, regardless of warranty status, so that's something at least.

[@romatou18]

@@Nicoya Ok good to know, nice from SRAM, but honestly, I live in NZ, and as usual getting this done would take an overseas shipping round trip, so what 4 weeks roundtrip at least not including the servicing time.

[@Nicoya]

@@romatou18 Yeah, not wanting to wait for the RMA is why I did mine myself.

[@MakiksPl]

When spiral knights

[@Nicoya]

Like 10 years ago? Better get a time machine.

[@prasta]

anyone know the size of the snap-ring?

[@Nicoya]

I didn't get a measurement of it, which is a shame because it does have a habit of flying off into the abyss. You can try contacting SRAM support to see if they'll give you the specs (or send you a replacement).

[@redleaderone8429]

buy a new brake its cheaper

[@Nicoya]

Buying new is definitely an option to keep in mind, but new parts aren't always available, especially with how things have been these past few years.

[@ralvis22]

Call me a hater, but I skipped your video the moment I saw your fingernails. Good grief.

[@Nicoya]

There's no shame in it, not everyone can handle nails that look this good. 💅

[@zigutron]

Jajajaj
Good answer!!

[@K3NnY_G]

Meanwhile this dude has a channel full of uploads that contribute fuck-all to shit.
Your opinion is so damn relevant. 😆

[@ralvis22]

@@Nicoya true true

[@ralvis22]

@@K3NnY_G I expressed no opinion