Cleaning Rotors and Pads after mineral oil spill (Shimano)

[greatwhite]

Mornin' All

 

I post this in the hope of:

1. Saving people the pain of squeeling discs and

2. Getting more info that I might have overlooked.

 

I spilled a bit of the Shimano mineral oil on my rear disc when bleeding them - unaware of this, off I went for a spin and back brakes squeeled and were fairly useless. Anyway, long story short, I googled and found this:

 

http://forums.mtbr.com/brake-time/mineral-oil-spilled-shimano-xt-pads-rotor-36561.html

 

Given the lack of success with Isopropyl Alcohol, the OP mentioned, I figured meths wasn't going to work either. And reading more of the thread, I though I would try polycell brush cleaner and degreaser. It worked well indeed - short exposure of pads (about 1 minutes) the thorough rinsing with water and all appears to be well. I should note the pads I cleaned were resin, not sintered.

 

My only question now is if the binders in the pad will have been materially compromised - any comments?

[MrJacques]

I once tried the heating over an open flame method - it worked, but the pads disintegrated during a ride. Guess they were materially compromised. It's possible that the solvents you used could have done the same, only way to find out is to take it for a test ride. The safer option is to just get new pads.

 

ps, I'm going to try the brush cleaner - my brake pads are squealing horribly (they are Shimano, for those Avid bashers )

[greatwhite]

I have spare pads, but they aren't cheap, so if I can avoid chucking them, I will. Will have to wait and see if they behave and if not chalk it up to experience and hopefully not the school if hard knocks.

[Amberdrake]

I have used a blowtorch to heat pads up. Stopped when smoke starts clearing. some sand paper on pad after. Clean disk with some spirits. Works like a charm every time. I have not had pads fail however it has been a concern. I do no keep the Torch centered on the pads, I will gradually rotate the flame and evenly heat stopping every 30 sec or so. I am sure the cleaner method works since it will also remove mineral oil.

[JXV]

I got oil on disc after a front fork seal failure on my 26er. I had to chuck the pads. Tried several cleaners on the disc....only thing that really worked was acetone and new pads. Do not get this stuff on your paintjob. Use a cloth wetted with acetone on the disc and preferably remove the disc before cleaning..

[Malpiet]

For the rotors acetone cleans it well, haven't used it on pads yet so can cant say.

[King_Crispy]

I have used a blowtorch to heat pads up. Stopped when smoke starts clearing. some sand paper on pad after. Clean disk with some spirits. Works like a charm every time. I have not had pads fail however it has been a concern. I do no keep the Torch centered on the pads, I will gradually rotate the flame and evenly heat stopping every 30 sec or so. I am sure the cleaner method works since it will also remove mineral oil.

 

It sounds like you've done this more than once?Clearly something is wrong with the way you bleed your brakes?

[DR ◣◢]

Got fork oil on 2 sets of pads recently and they are not cheap to replace. Will try the blow torch method. Only have a dremel gas soldering iron but it should work I think.

[T-Bag68]

I put my pads on the hot plate, and as mentioned in above post with blow torch, there is some smoke.. but I turn the heat up slowly, then when smoke stops, flip them off and let them cool until you can pick up.. clean rotors with degreaser, then back on bike... I don't paper them down, cause they was already bedded in... No damage to pad what so ever, just an unhappy wife with the sent in kitchen

[Amberdrake]

It sounds like you've done this more than once? Clearly something is wrong with the way you bleed your brakes?

Nope just unlucky. Bought fiance's bike with screeching brakes for my first go. Only one spill so far and that was while adjusting the bandjo on XT Brakes also ment rebleed :/ Think I did it on my old bike as well or a friends. Think i have cleaned pads more than bleeding brakes tbh also i use bleed blocks The dremel gas soldering iron is what I use. 

[DR ◣◢]

Used a Dremel gas soldering iron to cook the pads a little and seemed to have helped. I do think I need to put some more heat onto them as they aren't 100% yet. Just glad I don't have to buy new pads.

[droo]

flip them off 

 

Yep, I always find that some choice sign language helps with uncooperative bike parts...