Working on Brakes: Rule Number 1

[spacey1]

Sorry Gents,

But it looks like it needs to be said...

RULE NUMBER 1: Working on hydraulic brakes and clutches - Hydraulic, in this sense, means anything with brake fluid inside.

NEVER USE PETROLEUM BASED / OIL BASED PRODUCTS FOR CLEANING AND ASSEMBLING BRAKE COMPONENTS.

>> This includes CRC, WD-40 and the like... <<

ALWAYS USE PROPER BRAKE CLEANERS FOR CLEANING. Ahh, the good old days when carbon tetra-chloride didn't give you cancer...

ALWAYS USE RUBBER GREASE TO ASSEMBLE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDERS, SLAVE CYLINDERS, DISC CALIPER PISTONS, AND WHEELS CYLINDERS.

Rubber grease because rubber brake seals and cups are, well, rubber... and we all know what oil does to rubber, don't we...

AND UNLESS OTHERWISE PRESCRIBED FOR CLUTCHES, THE ABOVE RULE ALSO APPLIES. (SOME HYDRAULIC CLUTCHES USE SPECIAL FLUIDS, IN WHICH CASE ADHDERE TO RECOMMENDATIONS SPECIFIC TO THOSE FLUID TYPES)

MOST INTERNAL BRAKE SEALS, CUPS, BOOTS ARE MOSTLY RUBBER AND WILL SWELL BIG-TIME IF PETROLEUM BASED / OIL BASED PRODUCTS ARE USED.

THIS WILL CAUSE LEAKS AND/OR SWOLLEN SEALS WHICH CAN, IN THE CASE OF DISC BRAKES, STOP THE DISK CALIPER PISTON FROM RETURNING. AND GREATLY REDUCING THE LIFE AND PERFORMANCE OF THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM, BRAKE OR CLUTCH.

Disk caliper covers / wheel cylinder covers will swell and fall off.

PETROLEUM BASED / OIL BASED PRODUCTS WILL ALSO CONTAMINATE THE BRAKE FLUID, THEREBY REDUCING THE PERFORMANCE OF SAME.

ALL DANGEROUS SCENARIOS

THERE ARE NO JOKES WHEN IT COMES TO BRAKES, ONLY SAD STORIES

NO APOLOGIES FOR CARING ABOUT THE LIVES OF GOOD RIDING COMPANIONS.

[spacey1]

Brake fluid needs to be changed. Not necessarily every year, but it needs to be changed...

From: https://blog.amsoil.com/dot-3-and-dot-4 ... ifference/ - Brake fluid is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs water (except silicone-based DOT 5 brake fluid). DOT 3 fluid, for example, can absorb up to two percent water every year. Moisture can enter the system when you remove the reservoir cap to add fluid, through worn seals and even through the rubber brake lines themselves. Thus the fluid’s wet boiling point is the number that more accurately represents what’s really going on in your vehicle.

Since brake fluid can wear out, it’s vital you change it periodically. Otherwise, not only will your brakes become spongy and unsafe, the moisture will slowly corrode metal components.

Failure to change your brake fluid will lead to the conversion of your brake fluid to brake MUD. See pics...







In this case, one of the front brake hoses was completely perished to the point that no brake fluid would pass through to the brake caliper.

Thankfully, new locally fabricated brake hoses, brake piston seals and dust covers were sourced at very reasonable prices from HiTech Brake and Clutch Services Wangara. Extremely helpful (and understanding) staff.

[spacey1]

It also pays to have your brake disks in good condition. Thanks JW for passing these beauties on. The R65 stops a little more urgently with these.

[wightman]

Gotta love those virginal, thick, unscored brake discs. They'll last forever (if the brake fluid doesn't) Nice work, Spacey.