Cleaning disc brakes

ross_mcculloch

After a rather muddy ride last night I seem to have got some grit and mud in between the pads and rotor of my disc brakes.

I've been told the best thing to use is a hose to just clean it straight out. Is that right enough and is there anything I should watch out for when cleaning it?

streako

Just take your wheel off and wash with a hose. I also use a rag in soapy water and run it through the pads.

Be careful not to squeeze the lever without the wheel in situ, as this can stick the pads out.

biker24

If they work then don't bother. As disc and pads can easily be contaminated

forgotrafe

I do same as streako - except only use a rag if something being stubborn.

Rafe

nicklouse

dont use soap.

wash them of with clean water.

for stubborn dirt use a brake cleaner.

switchback18

Yeh, just use a hose & rotate the wheel every so often - never needed to remove the wheel or use a rag or anything. Maybe if you leave it all to dry you might. Disc brake cleaner's sposed to be good, but I've never managed to contaminate any pads with anything nasty, so I've never used it.

http://www.chasingtrails.co.uk

forgotrafe

Sorry, I meant to correct the "soapy" bit when I said about a rag/brush - I just use water when cleaning out the brakes. And as they're hydraulic I do nothing more than just making sure they're dry before sticking bike back in shed.

Changing the topic slightly... Is it safe to use car brake cleaner or should it be bike specific? I've run out of the latter but have a can of car brake cleaner in the cupboard...

nicklouse

be wary of car brake cleaner as it can have oils in it to stop the cast iron discs/drum rusting. in a car the oils burn off, on a cycle they just contaminate the brakes.

Meths is good.

switchback18

forgotrafe wrote:

Is it safe to use car brake cleaner or should it be bike specific? I've run out of the latter but have a can of car brake cleaner in the cupboard...

No idea, but someone has to be the 1st to try...
Seriously, as car brakes are generally not seen too much, they don't usually have any finishes on them to make them look good, so car brake cleaner might be a bit agressive - I'm only guessing - but if so, there's a chance it could attack powder coated/painted finishes, but probably OK with anodising, as that's more resistant to chemicals.

But, no guarantees...

http://www.chasingtrails.co.uk

owen908

I use Muc Off disc brake cleaner. Does the job for me.

forgotrafe

Oil isn't good! Never thought that car brake cleaner would have oils in it but I suppose in small enough quantities it'd not be a problem, but can see why even a small amount would be for a bike.

Given how often my disc brakes need more than water, I think I'll just try meths next time. There's always some in the workshop and it is as cheap as.