How to Clean Disc Brakes QUICK & EASY: Prevent disc brake noise & improve brake performance
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- Опубліковано 6 вер 2024
- NOTE: It is important to clean disc brake rotors and clean disc brake pads to keep them free of dust, sand, grit and road grime to reduce noise such as rubbing, squeaky brakes, squealing brakes and, in turn, prolong disc brake life. This quick easy clean does not replace thorough cleaning of the rotor with disc brake cleaner and sandpaper but rather can be used after rides in dusty or damp conditions where there is minimal contamination.
After cycling in dusty or damp conditions one may hear a constant rubbing from the disc brake calipers and rotors. This does not always require removing the wheel and disc brake pads, rubbing with sandpaper or using disc brake cleaner. Unless the is buildup of grease of grime on the rotors or a decrease in brake performance, a DIY simple quick clean may solve your problem:
1. First check the the disc brake calipers are center and the rotor does not appear bent.
2. Wipe disc rotors with rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) using a microfiber cloth (so as not to leave fibers or threads on the rotors or brake pads).
3. Try spinning the wheel. If noise persists, remove the wheel and thoroughly clean the rotors. Wet one edge of the microfiber cloth and run it between the brake pads, rubbing each thoroughly. Next use a clean edge and wipe dry. Repeat if necessary. This will eliminate noise and keep the brakes clean most of the time and is quick and easy.
Note: However, if noise (or squealing persist) or the rotor has heavy road grime or grease contaminated brakes, you may need to remove the disc brake pads and give the rotor and pads a more thorough cleaning (rubbing alcohol/disc brake cleaner and possibly sandpaper for the rotors, rubbing alcohol and possibly sandpaper for the disc pads which we link to at the end of the video).
This quick cleaning will work for mountain bikes as well as road bikes. Making a Quick Clean as part of your regular disc brake maintenance will keep your disc brakes quiet, prolong component life, and keep your brakes performing at there best.
"Twisting" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
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Why not use rim brakes that are so much easier to maintain?
If you ride mostly in dry weather (avoid the rain), are medium or light weight (don't need the extra stopping power), and have good gripping ability to pull back the brake levers, rim brakes (especially good dual pivot brakes) will do you fine.
Hey Dudes, I’m a 210 lb rider and I can clip along at a good speed. I’ve always had rim brakes, they’ve always had enough stopping power and the elegance of the simplicity is plain incredible. Love em. I think it’s a sin that they are becoming harder to find. Tony always has a good way to explain how to do just about anything related to bikes. If I ever end up with disc brakes, I’ll be sure to clean em up with Tony’s technique.
@@Nickescaped Thanks. My two favorite bikes have duel pivot Shimano Ultegra rim brakes and I love them. It wasn't until I started riding a Decathlon with disc brakes on some tricky steep downhills did I appreciate the disc brakes ability to slow me down. For most of my riding, I'm still using rim brakes and have some videos coming up on Tips and Hacks for centering and adjusting duel pivot rim brakes. Regards, Tony
Thanks! Squealing disc brakes no more! Used white vinegar which worked perfectly!
Haven't tried white vinegar on disc / pads but should work according to the few accounts on several forums. Thanks for your comment, Tony
this did the job! i don't have any tools atm as the others videos suggested removing pads but only removing tires slightly and cleaned between the pads stopped the squeaking. tysm 🙏
To be clear, this technique will make the pads and rotors last longer and reduce noise but, eventually, as the pads and rotors wear, you will need to remove the pads & examine the pads and rotor for a more thorough cleaning or replacement.
My mtb was squeaking when in motion. Standard lubrication made zero difference. Cleaning the rotor and pads did the trick. Thanks, Tony.
You're welcome. Visit our UA-cam home site at:
ua-cam.com/users/MrTony10speed
Regards and safe cycling, Tony
I've been using iso alcohol on rims and rim brake pads, and also on disc rotors, but "flossing" the gap between disc pads hadn't occurred to me for some reason - thanks!!
Might not solve all problems but does keep down some noise and improve braking. I use it as an interim clean but when the disc brakes start to squeal, more may be required. Regards and safe cycling, Tony
Just the video I needed thank-you for showing us a nice quick interim clean in-between rides 👍 My rotar was making the exact same sound
As you point out, this is an interim clean after a dusty ride or ride in damp weather. If your brakes still squeal, you may have to do more. Disc brakes require a lot of attention to keep them running at top performance. Regards, Tony
@@tony10speed Absolutely, thank- you Tony for your top tips 😀 Kind regards from here in the U.K.
Sometimes (after removing both wheel and pads) I push the hydraulic pistons out as much as I dare, to do a more thorough clean; and then I smear a little silicone grease around the edge of the piston. I think it was the Hope component manufacturer that recommended lubricating with silicone grease over brake fluid.
Not a bad idea, long as your careful not to "pop out" the pistons. It is suggested to lubricate with a tiny bit of silicon grease around the edge of where the pistons protrude from the calipers to insure good movement of the pistons. However, I would do that after removing the brake pads so they don't get grease on the pads which would decrease braking performance. Also wipe off any excess. Thanks for the comment, Tony
Thanks for another good bike cleaning video.
Be sure to see our full disc brake playlist (which is still in progress) at:
ua-cam.com/play/PLYbCdE49qIMe05hTuCdUyYyRfiX9AmIcv.html
Regards and safe cycling, Tony
I pull the brake pads to clean them as well as the rotors whenever I have brake noise.
This quick clean sometimes is all you need. Otherwise, as you mention, pull the pads for cleaning as well as the rotors. Thanks for your comment and safe cycling, Tony
Nice video - will give it a try.
Please do and let me know what you think. Also visit our UA-cam home site at:
ua-cam.com/users/MrTony10speed
Regards and safe cycling, Tony
Should you clean down the brakes and pads if you find your brakes a spongy and not working well?
You can give it a try but, if you're using hydraulic disc brakes, my guess is that you may have air in the system and the brakes need to be "bleed."
Do you need to bed in the breaks after cleaning with rubbing alcohol?
Interestingly, no. The alcohol will remove the grease and grime from rotor and brake pads but with the bedding in process, pad material is actually "baked" into the rotor the the brake pads are matched to the rotor surface. Alcohol does not alter this material on the rotor or pads. Good question! Regards and safe cycling, Tony
Does this work for mountain bikes as well as the road bike shown?
Absolutely. Keeps down a lot of the dust, sand and dirt so I only occasionally have to pull out the pads to clean or replace.
Can brake noise be cause by things other then dirty rotors or brake pads?
Besides contaminated brakes or pads
1. Improperly aligned brake calipers.
2. Pad material: Metallic pads wear less then organic pads but are much louder on braking.
3. Disc brakes that are not bedded in. Probably one of the more common causes.
4. Worn pads. When you get down to the metal backing one gets lots of noise.
5. Rotors or calipers not torqued
6. Bent rotor
To name a few. Subject of an upcoming video. Thanks for the question. Regards, Tony
I wanted to ask about how that bike fares considering you have gone through so many, I have a Marin Fairfax 3 urban bike that I use in NYC for UberEATS deliveries. It's a sora 2x9 speed, shimano hydraulic disc brakes, bought continental contact plus tires, and esi grips for comfort and shock absorbing on the handle bars. It also came with a carbon fiber fork, which i see other bike companies have on their version of urban bikes. Much love and been a fan for some time now!
I have not ridden the Marin Fairfax 3 urban bike but with Shimano hydraulic brakes and the additions you've added, I would say that you have a great bicycle for getting around NYC (I run Continental Gatorskins and several of my bikes for added puncture protection). All you really need now is to invest in a really good locking system. See: ua-cam.com/play/PLYbCdE49qIMcG5e7NvqhetgWlNBRqh0eM.html
Regards and safe cycling in one of my favorite cities, Tony
being a complete newbie, I cleaned it with a sponge and soap, I guess I’m screwed
Not at all. Just dry off the rotor. Use a clean microfiber cloth and gloves (so grease from your hands don't get on the rotor). Then just let everything dry. You can then do our quick disc brake clean (if you want) and your ready to go.