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#73494 02/18/2007 5:48 PM | Joined: Jun 2003 Posts: 546 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2003 Posts: 546 | If brake shoes get contaminated with brake fluid, are they hopeless? Is it possible to clean them or does the fluid soak in and they cant be saved. I had a leaking wheel cylinder and the shoes got pretty wet. All thoughts and opinions welcome. (at least about this subject)
Thanks, Jeff
"Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just leave me alone, you're starting to freak me out."
1957 GMC 150
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#73495 02/18/2007 5:57 PM | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,464 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,464 | How much wear is left on the shoes - may be a good time to change them out anyway. I think they can be cleaned, check at your FLAPS for what they recommend, but I like the idea of just replacing them. | | |
#73496 02/18/2007 5:59 PM | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 | I've used every solvent known to mankind, sanded the linings, even heated them with a torch, and I've never been able to salvage fluid or grease-contaminated brake linings. As soon as the brakes heat up a little, more fluid comes to the surface, and they squeal and/or grab. Just bite the bullet and swap them out!
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
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#73497 02/18/2007 6:02 PM | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | yes, what Jerry says for sure - you can get them clean to work initially, but the fluid that soaked in will continue to wick out forever
Bill | | |
#73498 02/18/2007 7:17 PM | Joined: Jun 2003 Posts: 546 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2003 Posts: 546 | Thanks guys. Thats what I thought though I had hoped I was wrong as the shoes have little wear.
HRL, its good to see you back.
Jeff
"Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just leave me alone, you're starting to freak me out."
1957 GMC 150
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#73499 02/19/2007 4:42 AM | Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 230 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 230 | Unless those are recent brake shoes, don't fool around with them. They could be the old asbestos type. Not good. | | |
#73500 02/19/2007 4:55 AM | Joined: Nov 2001 Posts: 1,516 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2001 Posts: 1,516 | Dont bother asking the "kids" at the flaps,,they can barely tie their shoes without supervision.
A question like that and they'll just look at you with a big,,"nobody's home" look.
An old mechanic told me once to soak them in alcohol. Maybe??
Or just get new ones.
Marty | | |
#73501 02/19/2007 10:07 AM | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 4,168 "Hey! I sound like Darth Vader!! | | "Hey! I sound like Darth Vader!! Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 4,168 | Actually, it depends on how long that have been soaking. If they have been sitting in fluid, grease or oil for a long time, then they are done. If it has only been a day or two, they can usually be salvaged. Cleaning them up with some Brakleen and seeing how they dry up ( or not) will tell you. | | |
#73502 02/24/2007 4:26 AM | Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 21 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 21 | Don,t bother with cleaning them I agree. I have tried everything. If you get the cleaned up, using whatever, and dried out just put a small torch to em and you'll see what they mean. Oil will cook out of them forever. | | |
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