18 Apr How to clean mountain bike disc brakes?
Disc brakes are all the rage these days, especially for mountain bikes. Whether you’re a serious biker or just want to be safer, disc brakes offer an impressive level of stopping power and control. Disc brakes have many advantages over traditional brake systems and we take a look at how to clean mountain bike disc brakes.
How to clean mountain bike disc brakes?
Follow these steps to clean mountain bike disc brakes. Make sure to remove all mud and dirt from the disc brake caliper mount area. For this, use a microfiber cloth. Also read out the bike frame size measurement.
Distilled water Put about two tablespoons of distilled water into each reservoir on each brake pad, dangle bolt cap and start spinning them dry & lightly with your hands or maybe put one hand over the other while doing so in order for it not to splash out when you spin them around. Breathe evenly long time until the microfiber reaches the cover and spreads over it. Turn upside down to let excess water drop off on the lower section of the dangle bolt cap. Then dry again with your wet hand.
If you are using cloth or rag, just wipe them clean. If using a towel, you’ll need 2-3(for larger disc brake surfaces) soft side towels with a bit softer texture than normal ones like Waffle Weave, Cotton, Thin Wool or any cotton types like Ultra plush, fluffy, etc.
Clean mountain bike disc brakes with wd40
If you want to clean mountain bike disc brakes with wd40, then do the following:
Let’s say we have an 11 inch diameter brake pad. Cleaning it for two passes should be about equal, that is 9 ounces of rubbing alcohol per person x the approximate weight in ounces of your hand and arms since you are washing them instead of dipping them into liquid, depending on what type or size cups/jugs etc. Keep reading https://www.outthereinteriors.com/how-does-a-bicycle-brake-work/
Let’s say a gallon of water is poured into them and a quart of rubbing alcohol. Use 4 oz of Rubbing Alcohol per wash. Fill the reservoir holes with 2 or 3 level tablespoons between each one. Put in hand crank( you need to lubricate it first) spray your brakes upside down for two passes at about the same amount mentioned above w/ distilled water then flush off with cleanroom air using an open gas tank hose reposition head towards second pass nozzle clogged by water and spray with rubbing alcohol(hang the excess hose) to allow air bubbles to flow through it. Turn over again for two passes of about 9 ounces (4 oz per person x 11 inch diameter brake pad).
Fill up reservoir holes with wd40, spritz on grime from your fingers if you are hand washing, then nozzle on the first pass. Move the second nozzle towards the third stop position as that stops most kinds of gunk that will get caught in the crevice between the brake pad and hose if you are hand washing. If not flowing water out of the hose, then the liquid is going thru too fast. Back air off till you can push it a little before turning over for two more passes with rubbing alcohol.
Push our top nozzle to the third zip lock seal area to ensure all gunk gets rinsed away or sit down for a minute with your bike on the ground open up, let down and refill with 2 or 3 level tablespoons of wd40 followed by two passes spewing water to rinse, back air off. Cycle thru second head and then one last useful third pass in the stock position (hands away) after disgorgement get all excess out using some rags.
It is JUNK -oil/debris you are washing stop & replace nozzle clogged on the hose as a device for squeezing drips from hose hangs up pump motor (to give a little extra push & be sure all loosens drip off) to clean nozzle from inside… alternately could use 2 washable nipples with a long hose at opposite ends and simply hold together in one hand upside down for about 10 minutes then close nipple seal on its own so you can knock out the rest w/o trying to open clogged end(squeezing too hard pulls bottom) after that do two passes of spraying 1/2 the throttle, check pressure is close to pedal and move back up towards end the third knob stops most debris sorry was quick.
Clean mountain bike disc brakes with alcohol
Imitating what you did on the bike, first wipe brake fluid off with a shop towel. Next, put a small amount of alcohol (in my case is denatured) in your hand, squeeze it In 1/2 open palm and rub both sides of each rotor to get rid of ages. You will be able to feel them move when even the smallest bit of friction happens due to rubbing against the fluid. They should glide very easily after that, use a wet rag and wipe over them to get excess fluid out of pores.
If you are repairing disc brakes, make sure your hammers, fingers, cables, etc, don’t touch the pads while they dry completely that can cause rusting. If dog smell is bad up ink pad or disk rotor use but do it slowly, not all at once. No overnight work on these disks! Buy brake cleaner spray add whatever other kind of fluid needs wiped own and repeat with misting of new rinse and wipe clean pad.
Conclusion
Mountain bike disc brakes are a lot of maintenance, especially if you are using them for racing. However, it is not impossible to clean your disc brake and keep them working for a long time. There are some steps that you can take to maintain your disc brakes. The first step is to clean the dirt and grime from the pads so that they do not get damaged by the friction of braking. You should use some air compressor with lubricant spray on your disc brake pads to keep them smooth and clean. There are some tools that you can use to clean your mountain bike disc brakes but be careful when using them because there is always a risk of damaging them.
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