Brake cleaning

HI everyone.
Got all the parts needed for some seriour brake TLC this weekend.
While I have the rear wheels, brakes apart want to give everything a good clean before new clyinders, shoes etc go on.

Whats the best way to clean the wheel back plate, or any other wheel \ brake related area to remove of mud and oil mixed together over a number of years?

Guessing good old fashioned elbow grease is a good starting place, but any secret tips to help clean it all up ?

cheers

Give them a good pressure wash or if you have one, steam clean them.

Once clean and dry give them either a spray of penetrating oil or paint some old oil on.

That will keep everything clean and iron worm free. Initially a small amount of the brake dust will collect on the damp oil, but that doesn't matter.

most people I know use brake cleaner

If you are sticking all new components on, why not remove the plate, wirebrush and repaint it. Then when refitting, dab a bit of copper grease on the contact points

Unless near rubber seals, then use silicone/brake grease due to the whole swelling issue.. not that I seemed to have any issue for the years of using copper grease

I think old brake linings had aspestos in, not sure but be carefull.

Brake cleaner, available at any Halfords or motor factor, would be the simplest and quickest way. I'd also advocate "reconditioning" the backplate, and anything else, if you've got it all apart.
I'm doing something similar in the near future myself.

Telboy111 said:

I think old brake linings had aspestos in, not sure but be carefull.

Click to expand...

all the dafties blowing the dust out to clean the drums