Brake maintenence

[markmartin]

Well, my brakes are working fine, but I wanted to check my brake pads for wear and couldn't tell what I was looking at by just removing the plastic covers so I pulled the pads out of the calipers.  They  checked out fine, plenty of wear left on all pads so I reinstalled them.  

While I had the pads out, I really wanted to blow out all the dust in and around the calipers and spray brake cleaner in there but didn't dare, not knowing if that would cause some terrible problem.  (Or perhaps bad Karma) My question is, is it OK to give the calipers a good cleaning with compressed air and brake cleaner when the pads are out, or is this better left until the time comes (hopefully never) when the calipers have to be rebuilt?

Thanks

Mark

[FJmonkey]

Well, my brakes are working fine, but I wanted to check my brake pads for wear and couldn't tell what I was looking at by just removing the plastic covers so I pulled the pads out of the calipers.  They  checked out fine, plenty of wear left on all pads so I reinstalled them.  

While I had the pads out, I really wanted to blow out all the dust in and around the calipers and spray brake cleaner in there but didn't dare, not knowing if that would cause some terrible problem.  (Or perhaps bad Karma) My question is, is it OK to give the calipers a good cleaning with compressed air and brake cleaner when the pads are out, or is this better left until the time comes (hopefully never) when the calipers have to be rebuilt?

Thanks

Mark

A spray with brake cleaner should not affect the calipers or pads..It is brake cleaner. Compressed air should also not affect the calipers while installed. Compressed air can get into places you don't want air when the pressure is high and seals are not protected or pressurized. A dusting off of brake dust will not hurt the installed calipers. I used compressed air to remove the pistons of the GSXR rear calipers I rebuilt two days ago. I could not remove them safely any other way. I used about 150 psi in the fluid ports and with a loud POP, each came out. This was directed air into the fluid ports, not a dusting off. Happy brake cleaning.

[markmartin]

Beautiful, thanks!

[SlowOldGuy]

Better to use a soapy water solution and a stiff toothbrush.  That way you won't take a chance of contaminating the seals with the cleaner.

DavidR.

[Dan Filetti]

Better to use a soapy water solution and a stiff toothbrush.  That way you won't take a chance of contaminating the seals with the cleaner.

DavidR.

That's what I do, once per year, whether it needs it or not.

Dan