Brake pad cleaning?

beemer-biker · Post by **beemer-biker** » Sun May 14, 2006 9:07 pm

Is there anyway to clean the brake pads? I installed a new set a few thousand miles ago, may have gotten a little grease on them. I cleaned the disc with cleaner, but I am still getting a funny noise when breaking, especially if I break sort of hard. It isn't squealing, more of a sound like the rubber brake pads on the rim of a bicycle. If I did get some grease on the pads, they would be glazed over by now. So, can I clean them with something?
TIA

leno · Post by **leno** » Mon May 15, 2006 3:25 am

No I don't think you can clean them as they are porus like a sponge, so any oil or grease will be soaked in. But I don't think what you have is grease on the pads. Grease would have the effect of reducing any noise and stopping the breaks working. Have you noticed that you are running into the backs of any trucks? The brakes on the bike do have a tendancy to make noises, but you could try a little copper grease on the backs of the pads. Also give the disks a dust off and clear the holes.

phil · Post by **phil** » Mon May 15, 2006 5:45 am

I find after winter storage my brakes are noisy. I removed the pads and scuffed them with sandpaper. I also scuff the rotors. This seems to eliminate the noise with no side effects at all. Are your brakes dragging? This can cause glazing as well. If they are, try changing the brake fluid and cleaning up the calipers a bit.

Post by **towerworker** » Mon May 15, 2006 8:27 am

You might try washing off the pads with a spray brake cleaner and let them air dry. Clean the back surface of the pads as well with steel wool and make sure the piston contact surface is clean. I have used a product called "Disk Brake Quiet" made by 3M that helps with brake noise. You can buy it at most auto parts stores.

beemer-biker · Post by **beemer-biker** » Mon May 15, 2006 9:17 am

Thanks all. I'll give 'em each a try and hopefully something good will happen.