Been so long since I made it on here, where the hell did January go anyway!
Anyway, one thing I've never got the nerve to do is pull my callipers apart and give them a good clean. However I don't really have much choice now as the brake has bound to the disk over the winter. Anyone got any advice, decent guides, local and willing to give me a hand?
brake cleaner( toolstation do this cheap so i usually buy in bulk)
red rubber grease
G clamps to hold pistons example if you have got 4 pistons 4 clamps req
copper slip,
The job.
Remove callipers,
remove pads
use G clamps to hold all pistons except one
push out piston approx 5 mm with brake lever ( easy does it )
clean piston with brake cleaner and tooth brush
repeat with other pistons
now that calliper and pistons are clean paint a light smear of red rubber grease onto pistons
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES USE ANY OTHER LUBRICANT ON PISTONS OTHER THAN GREASE RECOMMENDED FOR BRAKE SEALS, AS IT WILL CAUSE THEM TO SWELL.
work each piston in and out a few times, to make sure moving freely you may need the spare G clamp to help with the first push back whilst holding others in place with other G clamps ,
TIP, when the piston is pushed out it should move backwards very slightly
when pressure is released, this shows piston is totally free.
Grease all calliper sliders pins etc with copper grease.
Give the back of the pads a LIGHT smear of copper slip avoiding the friction surfaces .
Marsey's reply is both accurate & comprehensive ...
Although I would add, take care not to damage the dust seal around the out side of the caliper piston.
But before you go to all that trouble, Give the caliper body a few sharp taps with a RUBBER or HIDE mallet, as its possible it's only the pad that has stuck to the disc.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES use a metallic hammer / mallet.
If this is case & the pad then becomes free, a few journeys with VERY LIGHT pressure on the brake lever should clean up the disc, bearing in mind you may need a new pads.
Thanks for the advice, as it turns out the rubber mallet trick worked to free it up. The bike is due a service anyway and I was planning on getting the brakes overhauled anyway, they get very spongy in use. Just couldn't get it to the garage. Although, I freed it up and then didn't get a chance to take it out and use the light pressure to clean up the brake disk, not enough hours in the day!
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