Hope Mini Trials Question

[Acolyte]

I recently purchased a Hope Trials brake, and am wondering if I'm experiencing something abnormal. When I pull the lever, a small amount of brake fluid comes out from the little vent/notch on the side of the reservoir cover. It happens regularly, and gets the lever quite wet. Not dripping wet/soaked, but noticably wet looking. Is the cover on too tight? or maybe not tight enough? Maybe the reservoir is too full or something, but it came like this from factory, and they tend to do things correctly.

Any thoughts?

[WhiteRavenKS]

same thing used to happen to my shimano levers. it was from excess fluid being above the resi-lid and being squished out. open the top to your lever and see if there is a bunch of oil in the cap where it shouldnt be. if it isnt affecting your brake, there isnt much to worry about. if it's leaking enough fluid to make your brake work poorly then i would see about having hope replace the lever or something for you.

[Peace]

the rubbed seal isnt fitted properly, just undo the cap and set the rubber seal properly and then clamp it down again.

[Chris]

I also noticed that on my hope mini. When I pulled the lever you could see a very small amount of fluid right under the reservoir cap. Actually it was more like some tiny bubbles... But it disappeared after some weeks of riding :dunno:

Maybe there's something wrong with the seal under the cap. Just do what Peace said... it should be fine then.

[Acolyte]

Upon closer inspection and some troubleshooting, I have discovered a small hole in the seal.

Calling Hope tomorry.

[flixlee]

There is supposed to be a hole in the seal. It's purpose is to let fluid out in case of extreme expansion. This will most likely occur when your reservoir is full and your bike is in your car on a hot day for example. Mine actually leaked from the corner for a while but after fiddling with it a bit it no longer leaks at all. Also, make sure you wipe up any spilled brake fluid. That stuff eats paint!

[Acolyte]

I'm talking about a real hole, not the port on the side designed for releasing pressure. It's in the scrunchy section in the middle, not by the notch in the cylinder top cap.

[flixlee]

That's what I'm talking about too. If the fluid expands, It can go through the hole in the rubber seal then out the notch in the top cap. Much better to leak a little that way than to blow a seal. Magura Marta's also have this hole in the seal and metal cap.