Disk Brakes and Automotive Cleaners

[mjbrox]

So, Greenhorn did a number on my wife’s bike. I am going to clean up the bike tonight, and I wanted to know if there is any reason why I can not spray the brake calipers with Automotive Brake Cleaner

[urbaindk]

So, Greenhorn did a number on my wife’s bike. I am going to clean up the bike tonight, and I wanted to know if there is any reason why I can not spray the brake calipers with Automotive Brake Cleaner

Because it might eat other plastic parts, rubber boots, seals, etc. Watch what you spray it on. I've sprayed it on paper towels and then wiped my rotors with it with moderate success, but I wouldn't go crazy with it and spray every thing in sight.

[mjbrox]

Well what is the best way to clean the Caliper itself?

[urbaindk]

Well what is the best way to clean the Caliper itself?

You are talking about the outside right? Plain soap and water or maybe some alcohol on a rag and wipe it down. Make sure you don't get anything on the pads or rotor. If you do, take them out and then spray the brake cleaner on.

[philvw]

Isopropyl alcohol. Not rubbing alcohol as it has lanolin in it. Or go to the hardware store and buy a can of denatured alcohol. Same thing. Put it in a trigger pump sprayer.

[mjbrox]

You are talking about the outside right?


why would I care if the outside is clean?

I want to pull the pads out and clean everything out.

[urbaindk]

why would I care if the outside is clean?

.


I was wondering that myself.... :D They do get kind of nasty but who cares. I just thought maybe you were a little bit of a neat freak or something.

Pull the pads and clean what you can with alcohol. In principle alcohol is hard on rubber, so it might eat at the seals (if they are rubber), but you probably aren't going to be soaking it for a long time or cleaning it real often. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

[mjbrox]

Not rubbing alcohol as it has lanolin in it.

what is lanolin and what does it do?

[urbaindk]

what is lanolin and what does it do?

Lanolin is a lubricant derived from sheeps wool, it's a nice softener / skin moistener. I've never heard of it in rubbing alcohol, but if it were in there and you got it on your rotors / pads, that would be the end of them. Read the bottle to be sure.


I should also add that the less you do to your pads and rotors, the less likely you are to accidentally contaminate them with oil or grease. I personally wouldn't do too much unless you are replacing the pads.

[beerMe]

an old tooth brush along with a little soap and water did the trick for me...

[DMarchy1]

Every month I remove the pads from the calipers and clean with denatured alcohol, then lightly scuff the pads with a soft brass bristled small scrub brush, ( available at any paint or hardware store for about a buck) Then clean rotor with same solution and buff with a 3M green scub pad Just to remove the sheen a bit. My brakes have about 1500 miles on the original pads and rotors will likely replace them at 2000 miles. Just after Greenbriar race and before Stokesville. Worst place in the world to discover it is time to replace brake parts is on killer fun down hills like Wolfs ridge, Dowells draft, and the like. Dave Marchyshyn

[BikerMiker]

WOW! You guys have SPARE TIME!

I'd like to offer another perspective, if I can. I NEVER touch my brakes. That's the beauty of hydraulic disc brakes: less maintenance AND more power.

I have been forever-scarred by working on cantilever brakes in bike shops. V brakes were a great improvement from the mechanic's perspective (and the rider's) but discs are heaven-sent. Ok, Hayes sent...

Keep solvents and cleaners away from your brakes. The more you mess with 'em, the more likely you are to blow a piston seal by pulling or degrading.

If your bike is dirty, it's OK. People like you and you are attractive. You are smart. Being obsessive about cleaning your bike just wastes your time. As long as your drive train is KINDA clean, you are in good shape.

I like you.

mike

[DaveG]

WOW! You guys have SPARE TIME!

I'd like to offer another perspective, if I can. I NEVER touch my brakes. That's the beauty of hydraulic disc brakes: less maintenance AND more power.

If it ain't broke.... All I do it replace pads when needed. I've never had to replace a rotor except when I slam it down on rocks and totally tweak it.

Dave

[mjbrox]

Thank you for that perspective Mike.

Greenhorn Killed my wife's bike. I started taking it apart to do a deep cleaning only to find the bottom bracket was almost locked up, No big deal right?........Wrong!

I can not get the blasted thing to budge, I striped the BB a little bit and then gave up. I am actually going to go to a LBS for work on my bike. It has been a long time since I have had to do this.

[urbaindk]

Thank you for that perspective Mike.

Greenhorn Killed my wife's bike. I started taking it apart to do a deep cleaning only to find the bottom bracket was almost locked up, No big deal right?........Wrong!

I can not get the blasted thing to budge, I striped the BB a little bit and then gave up. I am actually going to go to a LBS for work on my bike. It has been a long time since I have had to do this.


Be sure to remember that one side is reverse threaded.... Don't laugh its a common mistake. In fact, right at the moment I can't remember which side is which. :o

[pirate]

Be sure to remember that one side is reverse threaded.... Don't laugh its a common mistake. In fact, right at the moment I can't remember which side is which. :o

That thought crossed my mind earlier, too, but I didn't think anyone else was dumb enough to make the same mistake I had. :D

[urbaindk]

What's worse is I once pulled the wrong side off first and ended up pulling the bearings out of the cups. That was real dumb.

[mjbrox]

In fact, right at the moment I can't remember which side is which. :o

Both sides turn twards the front of the bike to remove them.....I think

Anyway, there where arrows on the BB, so I was going the right way.

Right now I do not care about the BB, I just do not want to have to trash the frame. I dropped it off at Germantown bikes. I feel like I have a child in surgery.

[philvw]

In fact, right at the moment I can't remember which side is which. :o

Just like pedals. Left is left, right is right.

[urbaindk]

Just like pedals. Left is left, right is right.


That's a great way to remember it, thanks.

[philvw]

Both sides turn twards the front of the bike to remove them.....I think

Actually, exactly the opposite, that is if the wrench handle is on the top, if the wrench handle is on the bottom, yes it goes to the front of the bike. Thats just an awkward way to describe it.

Good luck on your 'child's' surgery .....

[punga]

Both sides turn twards the front of the bike to remove them.....I think

Anyway, there where arrows on the BB, so I was going the right way.

Right now I do not care about the BB, I just do not want to have to trash the frame. I dropped it off at Germantown bikes. I feel like I have a child in surgery.
Actually, to remove things, turn towards the rear of the bike, pedals and BBs.

As for the frozen BB, Rickyd posted up a neat trick not to long ago about using a quick release skewer to hold the BB tool tight against the cup.

punga!