Ask The Editors: How To Give My Brakes a Proper Cleaning
It’s probably not a coincidence although the good news is you should be able to do a little simple maintenance/ cleaning detail to get them back to tip top shape. Start by changing out the brake fluid. We like to assume that because hydraulic brakes are a closed system that they are impervious to contamination but the fluid gets dirty just like everything else.
Additionally, and by its very nature, brake fluid begins absorbing water right from the air the moment the seal on the bottle is broken. These two factors alone can make its ability to resist heat and brake fade suspect. Drain it, replace it and bleed the brakes as step one.
If that doesn’t remedy the problem, take a look at the caliper pins. These guys are almost always neglected even by top mechanics yet a slight bit of muck here can totally change the relationship of the caliper to the disc. They should be clean, smooth and wear a thin coating of grease. If that’s now how yours look, you know what to do.
If these steps didn’t get you back in shape, it could be the caliper pistons themselves. They too can become breached by water, mud and grime that then becomes trapped. Pump the pistons out by removing the caliper and via the brake lever and pedal. Even if the piston and its bore look decent, check for corrosion that will need to be sanded smooth. Hit it all with WD-40 to dry up any moisture then reinstall.
This is the most thorough cleaning you can give your brake system. Suffice to say, if you notice worn pads, seized calipers or corroded/ warped discs while inspecting the system, replacement should be your first step in regaining lost braking performance.
