Log in

View Full Version : Arrrrgh, brake fluid!


BaggaZee
11-02-05, 11:04 AM
Changing my lines to the braided ones and when I detached the first hose, loads of fluid spewed out :shock: , not the few drops mentioned in a T.W.O article on changing the lines.

So it went all over the front disc, caliper (off for a clean anyway) wheel and tyre.

Should I just drench the lot in brake cleaner?

Scoobs
11-02-05, 11:06 AM
Drench it in brake cleaner, but if the pads are contaminated it might mean new ones.

Loads of soapy water as well.

BaggaZee
11-02-05, 11:11 AM
Cheers Scoobs, the pads are fine.
I'll get going on it, hopefully I won't be getting polished rims soon.
:?

BaggaZee
11-02-05, 12:53 PM
OK that's done, the calipers are clean, ready to fit the new lines and it's started bloody raining!
:evil:

Does brake fluid do any harm to tyre rubber? :?:

Scoobs
11-02-05, 02:24 PM
OK that's done, the calipers are clean, ready to fit the new lines and it's started bloody raining!
:evil:

Does brake fluid do any harm to tyre rubber? :?:

Just make sure you sponge it off with soapy water. You'll be fine.

Cloggsy
11-02-05, 03:37 PM
:shock: Hope everything is alright :?:

Sounds like something I'd do :roll:

northwind
11-02-05, 04:05 PM
Any time I'm working on my brakes, I always have a hose and a full bucket of water standing by... It washes off just like that, but you need to be pretty quick.

Did I mention I f***ing hate bleeding brakes :)

BaggaZee
11-02-05, 04:18 PM
Well, I got the lines changed, all looking very nice but then the rain came on again as I was about to bleed it. :evil: :evil:
Meaning of course that I've opened the brake fluid. Will it be OK until tomorrow or will I need new stuff?

svsk2
11-02-05, 04:51 PM
It'll be okay. Just seal it up as best you can.

northwind
11-02-05, 05:00 PM
Put it somewhere dry overnight as well...

Richie
11-02-05, 10:01 PM
:? hopefully no rain got into the brake fluid resovioir ( prob spelt wrong) as all brake fluid is hygroscopic. (absorbs water vapour, apart from DOT 5) so may get a few overheating prob on very very hard riding. (brake fluid heats up and water content turns to steam.. resulting in spungy brakes... ie steam is a gas and can compress)

also good tip.. if brake fluid got on to your brake pads.. put pads into a small amount of petrol in a container.. (have fire extinguisher handy) and burn the contaminance out. dont let it burn too long as pads may crack.
... :oops: works on Tanks and smaller APC's...(CVR(T)'s)

wheelnut
12-02-05, 01:17 AM
probably a bit late to warn you that BF is hygroscopic and absorbs moisture.

It also seriously shags up paintwork

BaggaZee
14-02-05, 04:19 PM
put pads into a small amount of petrol in a container.. (have fire extinguisher handy) and burn the contaminance out. :shock:
Thankfully I didn't have to do this!

Got them bled, first tried a one way valve, spent an hour & a half & got nowhere (waste of money :roll: ). Got some ordinary tubing and did it the old fashioned way (open, squeeze, close, release) and had the whole lot done in half an hour!
I read in a mag that I should open the bleed nipple a half turn but I found this was way too much and fluid came out the thread. For me it worked with more like a sixth of a turn.

Still being cautious & checking for leaks regularly but so far so good and they're fantastic, one finger all the way! :D

Cheers for the advice folks!

Richie
14-02-05, 08:15 PM
[quote=Richie1743]put pads into a small amount of petrol in a container.. (have fire extinguisher handy) and burn the contaminance out. :shock:
Thankfully I didn't have to do this!

Thats only if the pad were soaked in brake fluid... :D
I've only ever done it on CVR(T) Steering and Brake Pads :twisted: on exercise in Canada :wink: