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F-150 Brake question.....

I just had to replace the rear wheel cylinders in an 86 F-150. Now for the strange part. The brake shoes were just about in new condition, other than being soaked with brake fluid. I mean they dripped most of the day, while sitting on the shelf. Is there a way to remove the brake fluid from these shoes, or do I have to replace them?. I just hate tossing out shoes with this much lining on them. At this point, they grab, chatter and just about make the truck undriveable. Thoughts or ideas??

Thanks

John

Reply to
John M. Wright
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Not any good way to clean them, they should be replaced.

Reply to
Michael O

Brake fluid is water soluble. Just pressure wash them at the car wash, OR you can give them a good hosing with some brake cleaner and they'll be fine.

Reply to
Steve Barker

They may look fine but the first time they get warmed up brake fluid will migrate back to the surface and they will be back to grabbing and making noise. I've tried it before and it doesn't work. New shoes are probably only $30 or so... money well spent. Bob

Reply to
Bob

Well I've washed brakes literally hundreds of time with no ill effects. To each his own I guess. After all, it's only money right?

Reply to
Steve Barker

Most brake fluids are water soluble but washing will only clean the surface contamination off. The pads will be saturated with the fluid which is definitely adverese to braking performance and longevity. It's even worse for brake fluids that are not water soluble.

For the cost versus peace of mind of it, I would get new ones. I hate having to do a job twice because I cheaped out.

Excerpt from the website below:

Description: Brake fluid is a specially formulated liquid used in the brake hydraulic system. Brake fluid must meet one of three U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) specifications. DOT3 and DOT4 are glycol-based fluids, which absorb water. DOT5 is a silicone-based fluid and does not absorb water. The main difference is that DOT3 and DOT4 absorb water, while DOT5 doesn't. Most cars use DOT 3 fluid from the factory.

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Reply to
Stephen

Well, I'd consider safety as being more important. There's nothing fun about driving something with grabby brakes. I'm not sure how you would even get in the position of washing fluid soaked shoes "hundreds of times". Usually when they come in with leaking wheel cylinders the shoes are about worn out anyway.

Bob

Reply to
Bob

On Wed, 14 Apr 2004 09:29:22 +0000, Michael O rearranged some electrons to form:

Just toss them, new ones are pretty cheap.

Reply to
David M

You can clean the brakes with Brakleen, it's pretty cheap, and if properly done, will remove all of the Dot 3 or 4 fluid from your brake shoes, let them dry, then re-install. Don't be afraid to saturate-using about a can per side. The chemical will render the brake fluid inert, and you won't have any further problem from them.

Steve Barker is right.

Spdloader

Reply to
Spdloader

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