LBS lubed my brakes...

tjwood

Just got my 6-week-old bike (Rockhopper Comp 09) back from the shop after taking it for the free initial service. They seemed to have tightened a couple of cables and they say they adjusted the brakes. The bike also had a nice smell of GT85 or similar...

Turns out when I take it out of the car and ride it round the driveway that the front braking performance is crap and a bit squeaky. On closer examination they seem to have sprayed some of the GT85 all over the front skewer and presumably the brake disc also. :evil:

I don't have any alcohol (the cleaning variety ;-)) to hand so I tried cleaning the rotor with degreaser followed by a rinse and dry and wiping the pads with a clean rag (I've not taken them out of the caliper yet). Performance is improved slightly and the noise is a little better but it's still a lot worse than what it was previously...

So what should I do? Take it back and complain? Clean it properly myself? Is it possible to clean the pads after this sort of contamination or do they need replacing? If it's going to cost me much then I'll take it back and complain but if I can fix it myself fairly cheaply I think I'd rather avoid that particular shop if possible...

Thanks

Si78

Some advise baking the pads in the oven to remove oil.

And yes, find another LBS lol

Si78

I also bought some aerosol IPA spray from Maplins. Very handy stuff.

nicklouse

back to the shop and demand new pads.

Oh and then get then to clean the rotor and fit the new pads.

-liam-

Si78 wrote:

Some advise baking the pads in the oven to remove oil.

I tried that. Its rubbish. I just bought some new pads lol.

Si78

-Liam- wrote:

Si78 wrote:

Some advise baking the pads in the oven to remove oil.

I tried that. Its rubbish. I just bought some new pads lol.

lol. The oven would have to be on its hottest setting, and they would need at least half an hour imho.

We do it at work. New die parts come covered in oil. Die coating wont' stick to the oil, so we bake them in a huge oven.

Mind you, the oven gets up to 500 degsC....

But yeah, I fitted new pads too when I contaminated them lol.

IPA spray is great on the rotors tho

Stellite

Just fit new pads. Go to the LBS and cause a scene, im sure you will get new pads out of em.

Ive heard of the baking in the oven routine but never done it.

Stellite

Just fit new pads. Go to the LBS and cause a scene, im sure you will get new pads out of em.

Ive heard of the baking in the oven routine but never done it.

tjwood

Took it back this morning. The guy on the counter said it was probably brake cleaner on the discs but then took it in the back and promptly came back to get another set of pads. The workshop guy even rode it round in the rain to bed the new pads in a bit.

Still not sure I would trust them not to make such an elementary mistake again but at least they fixed it.

Tank-slapper

Picked up the wrong can and sprayed the wrong stuff did they? Fairly silly mistake, but you can probably let them off once.

edmiddleton1988

im sure they'd sort it out if you asked. i don't think 'demanding' or 'causing a scene' would be the best approach. it was probably a mistake that they'll be happy to sort out. obviously if not then move onto the more aggressive approach!

Where are my stabilisers?

I know what I'm like with the GT85, so before I get spraying, I cover my rotors over with rags

Perhaps the dude had a hangover!

Gobs

Is your LBS Halfords?

BorisSpencer

Everyone makes mistakes, the fact they sorted it out without a fuss should ecourage your patronage.

borderboy

I tried the oven and it didn't work but my brother inlaw told me after you have to burn it off with flame for it to burn the oil residue away.

I don't know if it is with meths, petrol or what but if i was to try it I would do it outside!!!!!!!!!!

On the other hand When it happened to me I bought new pads and a spray disc cleaner

The Spiderman

I once had minor oil containation on some pads.I used some medium grade sandpaper on them and it worked a treat.

M6TTF

all this baking nonsense - I bought a 2 sets of pads for a tenner, they work just as well as my OEM avid pads. can't be hassled with the faffin'!

Chaz.Harding

In theory, a contaminated pad can be resurected by burning in a flame. Gas hob, petrol, meths, (NOT diesel - it's a lubricant!), or neat alcohol.

It's a way to clear the contaminated brake drums we sometimes deal with at work. As they are pourous, no matter how much cleaner (uber industrial strength!) gets sprayed on, and how many hours we wipe them, you can never get all the oil off. So when they get hot under braking, they 'sweat' more oil, and back to square one.

Since MTB pads are pourous, burning them in a CLEAN flame (gas is preffered), should burn away the oil residues.

But it can be dangerous - the pads may 'explode'. Or more accurately, the sudden build up of pressure from heating the contaminants inside the pad material quickly, may cause the braking surface itself to chip away slightly. May, happen, may not.

But there you go, thats my 2 pence! Lol.