[Author Index]
[Date Index]
[Thread Index]
[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next]
[ST] Easy Caliper Douche
- Subject: [ST] Easy Caliper Douche
- From: David Earl <dlearl@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 13:20:24 -0700 (GMT-07:00)
We're all aware (I hope) of the issues surrounding the build up of brake dust on the front pistons and it's cure. I discovered something by accident that may help a lot. The ST was looking a little long in the tooth after some recent rains and it needed a chain adjustment. After adjusting the chain I set out for a wash and wax. I use a wheel cleaner from WURTH called, appropriately enough "Wheel Cleaner", to clean the wheels on all my vehicles. I like it because it makes short work of brake dust and grime but leaves the adhesive for the wheel weights unmolested. (Unlike Castrol "Purple Power" or "Simple Green") Generally I spray it on first thing, then set about getting all my cleaning materials lined up. As I was finishing the wash cycle, I noticed a pretty fair amount of brake dust had drained out of the calipers and dried on the disc.
DING, the light goes on. I'm thinking I had sprayed just enough of the cleaner in there to begin to break up some of the dust. As a child of the 60's who learned a LONG time ago "if a little works well, a LOT will work GREAT, I set the Wheel Cleaner to "STREAM" and blasted a bunch in the gap between the pads and the caliplers, let it set for a minute or two, then sprayed it out with my rinse water stream.
Lo and behold, the front brakes are working as well as they do after a complete removal and tear-down of the pads and scrubbing of the pistons with brake cleaner (the solvent kind) and a toothbrush.
Soo, if you've got that mushy feeling, try some wheel cleaner before you resort to tearing your calipers off. It just may do the trick. btw, I don't think the WURTH brand is essential. I think any aluminum alloy-safe brand would work, as long as it dissolves brake dust.
David
'99ST
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The ST/RS Mailing list is sponsored by Jack Lilley Ltd.
http://www.TriumphNet.com/st/lilley for more info
http://www.TriumphNet.com/st for ST, RS and Mailing List info
=-=-=-= Next Message =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=