Shrieking Front Disc Brakes!!

[peloquin]

ever since i lubed my brakes by accident with 3in1 oil, they have been making a noise akid to a nails on a chalkboard **shudders**
I tried giving the disc a clean with FairyLiquid & water [seemed to work at first] but soon after the noise returned
what can I do to sort this out?
please halp!

 

[goo_mason]

ever since i lubed my brakes by accident with 3in1 oil, they have been making a noise akid to a nails on a chalkboard **shudders**
I tried giving the disc a clean with FairyLiquid & water [seemed to work at first] but soon after the noise returned
what can I do to sort this out?
please halp!

Sounds like the pads are contaminated - you'll need to replace them. I think you can get a specific cleaner for the discs, which might be good to use at the same time so you don't contaminate the new pads too.

 

[peloquin]

Aww i was hoping I wouldnt have to do anything like that but thanks goo!
Any idea how much i'd be spending?

 

[goo_mason]

Aww i was hoping I wouldnt have to do anything like that but thanks goo!
Any idea how much i'd be spending?

Not really, I'm afraid. Pads - I spent between £30 - £40 on two sets for my Tektro Io pads from Halfrauds, but got them cheaper the next time through some online shop (under £30 if I recall correctly).

No idea about the disk brake rotor cleaner cost - you could probably Google around and find some. I wouldn't think that'd be more than a tenner max.

 

[peloquin]

Thanks again matey!

 

[Bodhbh]

I contaminated mine very early on with some spray on water displacer. They've never been the same since despite trying to degrease them with brake cleaner and alcohol. Read here some put the pads in the oven or boil them with detergent. Will try that when get some time, but suspect they furbarred.

Motorcyclists just burn the grease off by bombing downhill and keeping the brakes applied. Not sure that's possible on a bike?

 

[Globalti]

Before spending that money try sticking them in the dishwasher. Nothing is hotter or more caustic and grease-removing.

 

[barq]

Some people have reported some success by baking pads in a hot oven. I'm a bit dubious, but if everything else fails you've got nothing to loose.

Meths is a cheap cleaning option - don't go for white spirit because it leaves a greasy residue. As for buying new pads, do look around on the internet because some retailers (including some on ebay) are significantly cheaper than RRP.

 

[Mr Pig]

Ideal stuff for cleaning disks is IPA (Isopropyl alcohol) as it's cheap and leaves no residue at all.

My bike came with contaminated disks and pads. I tried cleaning them but it didn't work, I had to get new pads.

 

[Bodhbh]

Thinking about it, both oven cleaner and drain unblocker are highly caustic and should nuke any grease on pads. Drain unblocker is pretty much pure pelleted sodium hydroxide iirc. Not sure if they'll also nuke the pads however, guess I should play chemist on my own pads b4 making this recommendation!

 

[Mr Pig]

It's not what it gets off, but what it leaves behind. And too be honest any oil that gets onto pads will soak in and you won't be able to remove it.

 

[peloquin]

yay! i sorted out the disc brakes w/o changing the pads!
i followed Bodhbh's suggestion about bombing downhill with brakes loosly applied and voila, no evil sounds now!
I did make the noob mistake of touching the disc after I came to a stop and sizzled my fingertips but as long as theres no skreech, im a happy bunny!
Thanks for the advice!

 

[LLB]

It's not what it gets off, but what it leaves behind. And too be honest any oil that gets onto pads will soak in and you won't be able to remove it.

Blowtorch ?

 

[Mr Pig]

I did make the noob mistake of touching the disc and sizzled my fingertips

Apparently loads of people do that.