Help! I accidentally got oil on my rotor and pads.

RockyMtnKing

I was trying to re-align my calipers and unscrewed the wrong too bolts and oil poured onto the rotors and pads. Now my brake lever is a little squishy and the pads brakes are making horrible noises. I know I will need to add oil to the reservoir tank and open the bleed valve the get the brake lever stiff again, but what about the rotor and brake pads?

What can I do to get rid on the horrible noises. I was planning on changing the brake pads but is the rotor toast now too?

dabac

Nah, the rotor is fairly resilient. Wash with a good degreaser/solvent (one that evaporates without residue) and it should be good to go. The pads are more porous, so they might be lost to you.

Juba

Go to your local automotive shop, they will have spray on solvents that is specifically designed to clean brake components (both of the disc and drum variety) which will work to clean your rotor.

Pads on the other hand are easy to install and not terribly expensive, so just buy a minty fresh pair.

Cheers,
Juba

MattLarson

Hmmm. I never thought to taste the pads. Do they come in any other flavors, or just mint?



Matt

RockyMtnKing

What would you suggest? Something like Simple Green? What about rubbing alcohol?

dabac

I'm in Sweden, our shops doesn't carry the same brands as yours. Juba had a good suggestion about picking up an automotive product for brake/clutch cleaning, which should work for you too. But if you feel up to some experimenting with what you might already have available, then alcohol can be worth a try. Acetone could work, as could gasoline. The stuff that you dilute spray paint with could also work. There's little harm in trying, wipe the surface with a moisted cloth and see what happens. If it leaves an oily sheen, try something else.

An occasional splash won't kill you, but try to minimize skin contact regardless of what liquid you use.

King Fisher

The Use Of RUBBER Gloves Is Strongly Recomended When Working With Any Type Of Chemical!!!!

heh heh heh HE said RUBBER

Dan Burkhart

Putting more fluid in the system, while not rocket science is slightly more complicated than simply adding some to the reservoir. First, it is very important to establish the type of fluid required as this varies between manufacturers. Some systems require DOT fluid, while others use a mineral oil. There are compatability issues with fluids and parts such as O-rings and seals. Use the wrong fluid, it will rot your system.
Secondly, some hydraulic systems are closed, meaning there is no reservoir, open systems do have a reservoir.
You will need a special fill and bleed kit for what ever system you have.

__________________
Dan Burkhart
Oakville Ont
www.boomerbicycle.ca

jimmy james

Hey what I do is simply take the wheel off,clean the rotor with rubbing alchol.Give it a good scrub with cloth till clean.With the pads,which someone was saying are cheap arn't for what you get,So try burning off the oil with a butane torch(take the little spring off the back first) just burn till they get red and stop smoking!!! GOOD LUCK