Clean and lube disc-brakes
08-25-18, 06:42 AM
#1
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Clean and lube disc-brakes
But i wonder if i can use discbrake cleaner insted of degreaser?.. or will that damage the pistons.
I have never cleand the caliper this way. only with bikewash and water and draged a cloth through it. And some times discbrake cleaner.
(i use d.b.-cleaner regulary on pads and rotors)
And is any kind of degreaser ok? Like muc off?
And.. is teflon-oilspray ok?
And my normal web-shop is sold out on Park Tool SAC-2 and it seems to me like TF2 Lubricants Unisex Carbon Fibre Gripper Paste for Bikes, is much of the same.
Thanks for any tips and help.
sorry for poor english
08-25-18, 09:48 AM
#2
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You talking about lubricating the internal parts of a mechanical disc brake caliper? which one?
nothing that leaves any residue should be used on the disc,
and nothing at all should be on the disc pads.
remove them first..
there may be a glazing from use on the friction material,
I use a sand paper for metal, to remove that glazing
with the flat surface of a table behind the abrasive paper..
...
nothing that leaves any residue should be used on the disc,
and nothing at all should be on the disc pads.
remove them first..
there may be a glazing from use on the friction material,
I use a sand paper for metal, to remove that glazing
with the flat surface of a table behind the abrasive paper..
...
Last edited by fietsbob; 08-25-18 at 09:52 AM.
08-25-18, 09:55 AM
#3
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I would only use disc brake cleaner on the rotors themselves. Even hough it's supposed to be fine for *automotive* caliper seals and whatnot, I wouldn't chance it on a bike.
I spray some on a rag and wipe the rotors. Oh, and only in a well-ventilated place!
I spray some on a rag and wipe the rotors. Oh, and only in a well-ventilated place!
08-25-18, 04:37 PM
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You talking about lubricating the internal parts of a mechanical disc brake caliper? which one?
nothing that leaves any residue should be used on the disc,
and nothing at all should be on the disc pads.
remove them first..
there may be a glazing from use on the friction material,
I use a sand paper for metal, to remove that glazing
with the flat surface of a table behind the abrasive paper..
...
nothing that leaves any residue should be used on the disc,
and nothing at all should be on the disc pads.
remove them first..
there may be a glazing from use on the friction material,
I use a sand paper for metal, to remove that glazing
with the flat surface of a table behind the abrasive paper..
...
08-25-18, 10:11 PM
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So d.b.cleaner inside the caliper is " no-good" ?
08-25-18, 10:21 PM
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Normally I clean the pistons with a dry paper towel. On a few occasions I will spray a little bit of WD-40 onto the paper towel (far away from the bike) and then do the same thing, mainly to remove residue that accumulates and causes the piston to stick or retract slowly.
The only thing I have cleaned pads with is sandpaper.
The only thing I have cleaned rotors with is isopropanol.
08-25-18, 11:33 PM
#7
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Most manufacturers service documents recommend isopropanol sometimes with the hydraulic fluid as lube. If you use hydraulic fluid do so very sparingly and clean afterwards with the pistobs retracted.
08-26-18, 01:33 AM
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And is isopropanol and disc brake cleaner (like muc off) the same?
08-26-18, 05:35 AM
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I only clean rotors after i re-install wheel or did some other activity that made me touch the rotor or got it possibly contaminated. For example when i service my hubs I fiddle with grease hands and may contaminate the rotors. After such work i always clean them.
I use up an old can of brake cleaner, but will switch to mineral spirits once that is used up. No need to clean pads, also no use. Pads need to be replaced after contamination.
I don't think alcohol is suitable since it is polar (like water) and doesn't dissolve non-polar things like oil and grease.
Don't sweat it, cars have been driving on disc brakes exposed to saltwater etc. and no one is cleaning them. Bike rotors are more exposed, though. But motor bikes also work fine and I doubt Hell's angels spend a lot of time cleaning rotors.
I use up an old can of brake cleaner, but will switch to mineral spirits once that is used up. No need to clean pads, also no use. Pads need to be replaced after contamination.
I don't think alcohol is suitable since it is polar (like water) and doesn't dissolve non-polar things like oil and grease.
Don't sweat it, cars have been driving on disc brakes exposed to saltwater etc. and no one is cleaning them. Bike rotors are more exposed, though. But motor bikes also work fine and I doubt Hell's angels spend a lot of time cleaning rotors.
08-26-18, 12:45 PM
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I only clean rotors after i re-install wheel or did some other activity that made me touch the rotor or got it possibly contaminated. For example when i service my hubs I fiddle with grease hands and may contaminate the rotors. After such work i always clean them.
I use up an old can of brake cleaner, but will switch to mineral spirits once that is used up. No need to clean pads, also no use. Pads need to be replaced after contamination.
I don't think alcohol is suitable since it is polar (like water) and doesn't dissolve non-polar things like oil and grease.
Don't sweat it, cars have been driving on disc brakes exposed to saltwater etc. and no one is cleaning them. Bike rotors are more exposed, though. But motor bikes also work fine and I doubt Hell's angels spend a lot of time cleaning rotors.
I use up an old can of brake cleaner, but will switch to mineral spirits once that is used up. No need to clean pads, also no use. Pads need to be replaced after contamination.
I don't think alcohol is suitable since it is polar (like water) and doesn't dissolve non-polar things like oil and grease.
Don't sweat it, cars have been driving on disc brakes exposed to saltwater etc. and no one is cleaning them. Bike rotors are more exposed, though. But motor bikes also work fine and I doubt Hell's angels spend a lot of time cleaning rotors.
And discbrake cleaner is not sutibale for pads? hmmm.... again videos and tips say so....
Last edited by smurof; 08-26-18 at 12:58 PM. Reason: Ad more info
08-26-18, 06:34 PM
#11
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No need to clean pads?... so all the hint and tips I have seen/heard.. it's just a watse of time?.... I usualy take out the pads and clean them d.b. cleaner 2-4 times a month.... and the rag gets black.... so i feel there is a point
And discbrake cleaner is not sutibale for pads? hmmm.... again videos and tips say so....
And discbrake cleaner is not sutibale for pads? hmmm.... again videos and tips say so....
The cleaner won't hurt the pads, but if they are contaminated, you won't be able to wash the grease out. Some people sanded off the pads in the hope only the very upper layer is contaminated. Ultimately contaminated pads needs to be replaced.
I'm not sure if you are jesting, but do you frequently contaminate your pads and rotors? Maybe that needs to be resolved. you know squealing brakes are not cured by lubricating. but I'm sure there is a video of recommending exactly that.
08-26-18, 11:01 PM
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Do you have a car? Do you do the same for those rotors and pads?
The cleaner won't hurt the pads, but if they are contaminated, you won't be able to wash the grease out. Some people sanded off the pads in the hope only the very upper layer is contaminated. Ultimately contaminated pads needs to be replaced.
I'm not sure if you are jesting, but do you frequently contaminate your pads and rotors? Maybe that needs to be resolved. you know squealing brakes are not cured by lubricating. but I'm sure there is a video of recommending exactly that.
The cleaner won't hurt the pads, but if they are contaminated, you won't be able to wash the grease out. Some people sanded off the pads in the hope only the very upper layer is contaminated. Ultimately contaminated pads needs to be replaced.
I'm not sure if you are jesting, but do you frequently contaminate your pads and rotors? Maybe that needs to be resolved. you know squealing brakes are not cured by lubricating. but I'm sure there is a video of recommending exactly that.
And never use oil around the brake parts
I just like to maintain my bike with tips and hints that i see around
Last edited by smurof; 08-26-18 at 11:18 PM. Reason: Ad more info
