First Disc Brake job

[Flyin_V]

Hi all, About to do my first pad change and noticed there is alot of dust on the caliper, piston and rubber boot. Any ideas what to use for cleaning and not damage the rubber boot? Thanks!

 

[Quest]

a light brush using used nylon tooth brush is all that it takes to clean it. If you are annyal about it: you may try using some solvents but mind you though: solvent will swell/detrioriate rubber components such as dust seals, guide pin boots, etc. Q.

 

[2oldtommy]

There are plenty of products at your friendly auto parts store just made for this purpose. EPA rules make sure that this stuff is safe to use. One spray can should take care of one complete brake job. Follow the instructions on the can. FWIW--Oldtommy

 

[Vikas]

What about brake cleaner??

 

[440Magnum]

Brakleen if you need a solvent. Compressed air (and eye protection and a dust mask) is usually good enough, though.

 

[user52165]

Originally Posted By: Quest

a light brush using used nylon tooth brush is all that it takes to clean it. If you are annyal about it: you may try using some solvents but mind you though: solvent will swell/detrioriate rubber components such as dust seals, guide pin boots, etc. Q.

If this wewre the case, Brakleen and other specialty solvents would have been sued and out of business years ago. Use the right product........not a general propose solvent. A toothbrush will never get into places that brake dust gets...........everywhere. Put protection on the floor or ground - it will make a mess.

 

[beast3300]

I wouldn't use Brake clean if it was me. Just some warm water wash the excessive dust off if you want.

 

[440Magnum]

Brakeleen is MADE for this job. If you need to do anything more than a light dust-off that can be done with air, its insane to use anything else. And the "green" non-chlorinated brake cleaner is a lot more likely to damage rubber and plastics than the original tetrachloroethylene, which is non-flammable and harmless to the vast majority of plastics- its the same chemical as old-school dry-cleaning fluid. Don't breathe it and don't expose it to flame, though (it won't burn, but in a hot enough flame it will decompose into toxic phosgene and other gasses).

 

[ls1mike]

How much do you really want to clean off? Do you want it pretty or functional? Having said that I use BrakeKleen in the red can.

 

[fdcg27]

You can clean all of the dust off with great care. It will reapply itself quickly as the vehicle is driven and the brakes are used. Worry more about using the appropriate grease on the caliper guide pins and less about the cosmetic dust.

 

[user52165]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27

You can clean all of the dust off with great care. It will reapply itself quickly as the vehicle is driven and the brakes are used. Worry more about using the appropriate grease on the caliper guide pins and less about the cosmetic dust.

Great point. In fact use high quality caliper grease EVERYWHERE there is contact between the pads and the caliper in addition to the pins. It is still good to clean parts first. It is easier to work on them and you can inpect better when clean.

 

[antonmnster]

Wouldn't use compressed air personally. I'm just not a fan of microfine particulates migrating into my avioli.

 

[Warstud]

I apply the brake to get the piston to move...in turn the boot extends out. Rinse with water...apply shave cream and lightly clean with tooth brush then rinse again.

 

[chris67]

Use a proper brake and choke cleaner and never use a petroleum grease in or around brakes and that includes never-seize. Only use a silicone based grease for lubrication.. A petroleum based product can make the dust boots swell up like motor oil in a brake master will cause all rubber seals to swell.

 

[SIXSPEED]

You can remove the guide pins, remove the boots and clean with a mild soap solution and let them dry thoroughly. Or you can just replace them; I bought new ones for my van at O'Reily's. It's a good idea to clean and re-lube the guide pins. One of my rear pins was seized and rusting. The grease on all four front pins was crusted over.

 

[Flyin_V]

Thanks for all the info...think I'll start with the water and shave cream first and see how that works. I have Permatex Silicone Disc Brake grease for the sliding parts.... Thanks again!

 

[mechtech2]

Spray brake cleaner.