binding brakes; need quick easy solution

[Ogmios]

front brakes binding - finally sussed this after checking head race bearings / tyre pressure / wheel bearings...etc.
only became aware of it coz my "low speed handling" (i.e; trickling up to traffic lights etc.) got wobbly.
i thought maybe it was just me and my weak forearms

ANYhow - i seek the impossible;
a quick, easy clean up job to free them.
1./ can i get away with just taking the calipers off, gently pushing the pistons out _a little_ and cleaning around the pistons with toothbrush and brake fluid?
2./ IS brake fluid safe to use? - i'm not going to feck up the seals am i?
3./ how come the discs didnt get hot in use and maybe (eek!) warp?
4./ how long is a piece of string?

i Thang Queue
eM

 

[John Armstrong]

#4

Twice the length from the middle to one end!

 

[littleredrooster]

Yes, pop the pistons out a little way then clean with either Methylated spirits or a proper brake cleaner. An old toothbrush is ideal. I wouldn't use brake fluid, 'cos it wrecks any paint that it comes into contact with. WD40 also gets rid of the crud effectively, but clean everything afterwards with Meths or brake cleaner just to be sure (to be sure!). A common point which makes the brakes bind is the pad-locating pin; these tend to get 'steps' worn into them and make the pad reluctant to move. New pins are the only answer. A smear of Copaslip helps to prevent this, or better still, a dry graphite grease from a spray-can.

Discs don't (shouldn't) warp just 'cos they get hot; it is usually the carrier which distorts because the bobbins aren't acting as proper insulators, and passing localised heat back to the aluminium casting.

How long do you want your string to be?

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

WD-40 is reknowned for swelling rubber - don't get it near piston seals.

Get some red girling brake grease and clean and grease moving / sliding parts.


No 4 - Twice half its length

 

[Mzokk]

Also once cleaned do it fairly regularly esp in winter. Back Brakes too!

 

[Ogmios]

Much Appreciated....

Dear All,
Thanks for the replies - All Very Useful.
will attack my calipers on saturday - now with a much clearer idea of WTF i'm doing!


eM.
(then on sunday; off to Birmingham to do this RoSPA Dip. course - its no wonder my heads wrecked!)