Cleaning brakes. It\'s all gone wrong
 

If I remove my pads from the calipers is it safe to use WD40 to clean the calipers?

If not then what's good?
That's better:rolleye:

[Edited on 24-11-2005 by dave996]

[Edited on 29-11-2005 by dave996]

I was wondering what you were on about Dave
As for cleaning Brakes Keefer is the man to ask

I use wonder wheels wheel cleaner on my calipers, make sure you remove bolts and pad retaining pin as these tend to react :rolleye:

Brake cleaner.... ? :lol:

To clean my calipers I take them off the forks, out of the way of the wheel and disks, and give them a good coat with some degreaser like Simoniz to get rid of the crap. Use a toothbrush to work the dirt out, and repeat until they're clean. Then I use brake cleaner to get rid of any deposits, again working with the toothbrush, until they come up spotless.

I think it can be safe to say the calipers are well away from wheels, disks and forks.
Cheers guys

...also, get some Brick banding and clean the crust off the brass pistons. Squeeze the lever until the piston is far out as you dare, then clean the crust off. You will be able to push the piston back in with finger pressure.

If you don't clean the crust off and put new pads in then the crust will be pushed behind the rubber washer inside the caliper, this will rupture the washer and the calipers will leak brake fluid.

Brembo advise not to use brake cleaners, but good old soapy water and brush. That was for the GP3 billets though.

Rgds, Rob

I know the Rizla boys don't tocuh the calipers with anything other than soapy water.

Simon Reed told me a long time ago to chuck a dishwasher tablet into a bucket of hot water and let the calipers soak in that for a while. Got to say I've been doing that for a couple of years now and it works very well!

Do you need to remove anything from the caliper or can it all go in the water/dishwasher tab, pads an' all:yawn:

I would take the pads out, but quite honestly I doubt it would harm them if you didn't.

Am assuming the brake lines are still attached and you can't get water into the inner workings of the caliper of course....:burn:

yes the lines are still attached, I'll remove the pads then.
Cheers for the info

lol
skids provided me with the dirtiest brakes ever.
as you have said remove the pads
then mix up some T-cut with meths and work it into the calliper with a toothbrush, keep you bucket of hot soapy water handy and give them a rinse every now and then,
you will be amazed how bright they are when you finish

I use Gunk or Holts engine clean and a stiff bristle brush, not a wire brush, rinse well and they look like new.


Have a nice day!

Worst case scenario has happened:mad:

I was pumping the pistons out on the caliper in the soapy water being carefull not to close the pistons on each other and one popped out, befor I realised this had happened I had already given it a couple of pumps on the leaver:flame:

HELP WHAT DO I DO NOW, is it all f**ked or can it still be saved?:puzzled:

Cheers
Dave:(

While it was in a bucket of water, doh!

Ah, well; trip it completely and get all the fluids out. Can't leave any water or contaminatd fluid in the casting.

Might as well pop all the pistons out know, too. They'll go back in easy enough, lubed with brake fluid or red rubber grease.


Rgds, Rob

Rgds, Rob

[Edited on 29-11-2005 by Rob B]

as above disconnect it strip it down and leave to dry in the airing cupboard

Cheers Rob.
Thanks for the speedy responce

Don't worry they will go back together again, once dry.

I know this doesn't help....but...:frog:

Make sure there is no cleaning substance residue left in the caliper piston bores before reassembly - residue may not react well with brake fluid.
I don't know the composition of Finish Power Ball Tabs but I doubt that it has been designed to work with DOT4 Fluid.

You're right, it doesn't. lol

Cheers mate, i'll put them back together next week or so, or when the wife tells me to get them out of the airing cupboard.

What's that word?

It's on the tip of my tongue...............

I'll get it in a minute..............


Remembered............................







MUPPET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!

What's that word?

It's on the tip of my tongue...............

I'll get it in a minute..............


Remembered............................







MUPPET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!

Dear MT, can we have a tech Muppet award please? :bouncy:

:D

Dave, when I originally posted, I nearly put a foot note to say, not to push the pistons too far out or they will pop, but I thought nah he will know not to. Sorry Dave, we've all done it.

By the way, I like the frog thing! :frog:

Yeti,

Dave's always been a Tech Muppet!!!! Could'nt wire a 3 pin plug:lol:

Soz Dave couldn't resist..... Have you fired the springs from the fuel cap across the garage yet????????