Brake cleaner on the front disk. Now it doesn't work well.

scoot newb · 07-19-2019, 06:04 PM

My front brakes had a squeak so I sprayed on brake cleaner and wiped it down with a paper towel. Now they suck. I'm not sure how to proceed. HALP

Azhule · 07-20-2019, 01:27 AM

Brake cleaner usually evaporates quickly causing little issues but overspraying can cause a few known issues with the caliper, things might need to re "grease/lube" any pins, guides, and or the piston(s) on the brake caliper... brake cleaner is also really harsh on o-rings/gaskets/seals, can swell or dry/crack them depending on the brand used it might do both

Make sure you use a "Disk Brake" rated lube (I like to use AGS branded grease/lubes when working on brake parts), watch a few youtube vids if needed, it's fairly easy to do with basic tools, a block of wood (don't shoot the piston out of the caliper

) with some "big pliers", and a little common sense

Could also just be an air bubble worked it's way into the brake line, bleeding the brakes with fresh fluid might be the real problem

scoot newb · 07-20-2019, 02:21 AM

I was careful with the spray. I only sprayed it on the rotor and had a towel behind it to stop it from getting on the rims. Then I wiped it down with a paper towel, rotated the wheel and did it again. I thought maybe the rotor or pads are now glazed because of it.

The problem with the brake not working well happened right after applying the cleaner

07-19-2019, 06:04 PM	#1
scoot newb Join Date: Sep 2018 Posts: 403	Brake cleaner on the front disk. Now it doesn't work well. My front brakes had a squeak so I sprayed on brake cleaner and wiped it down with a paper towel. Now they suck. I'm not sure how to proceed. HALP
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07-20-2019, 01:27 AM	#2
Azhule Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: CO Posts: 1,525	Brake cleaner usually evaporates quickly causing little issues but overspraying can cause a few known issues with the caliper, things might need to re "grease/lube" any pins, guides, and or the piston(s) on the brake caliper... brake cleaner is also really harsh on o-rings/gaskets/seals, can swell or dry/crack them depending on the brand used it might do both Make sure you use a "Disk Brake" rated lube (I like to use AGS branded grease/lubes when working on brake parts), watch a few youtube vids if needed, it's fairly easy to do with basic tools, a block of wood (don't shoot the piston out of the caliper ) with some "big pliers", and a little common sense Could also just be an air bubble worked it's way into the brake line, bleeding the brakes with fresh fluid might be the real problem __________________ "Think as you like... but this self proclaimed Professor is always right" - Buckshot "You never know what someone is hiding beneath their smile..." - NinjaTom - R.I.P.
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07-20-2019, 02:21 AM	#3
scoot newb Join Date: Sep 2018 Posts: 403	I was careful with the spray. I only sprayed it on the rotor and had a towel behind it to stop it from getting on the rims. Then I wiped it down with a paper towel, rotated the wheel and did it again. I thought maybe the rotor or pads are now glazed because of it. The problem with the brake not working well happened right after applying the cleaner
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