I can't seem to get my rear brake to work. It was working fine one day, then after a weekend of riding it doesnt work. I worked on it awhile and had it aligned really well, but it still didnt work. I think the rotor may be contaiminated, so I was going to get some alcohol to clean it. Also should I try to clean the pads too when I clean the rotor. If the rotor is contaminated will I have to replace the pads anyway? My front pads are fine and it looks like I have enough pad left in the rear. Thanks, any help will be good, I want to ride, so I got to get this fixed.
Avid Disc Brake Problem
- Thread starter buck
- Start date
My guess, if everything else is in order, is that you have contaminated pads caused by the pick up from your rotor. If you use a propelled chain lube it's easy to hit the rotor without noticing..n it doesn't take much.
I've never attempted to clean a set of pads but for safety and performance I'd replace them before I's use ones that were contaminated and cleaned.
I've never attempted to clean a set of pads but for safety and performance I'd replace them before I's use ones that were contaminated and cleaned.
Cool, yeah I guess I'll try to clean the rotor and see if anything happens, if not I'll just buy some new pads. Thanks.
This has always worked for me and gotten my Avids from fully contaminated to deadly powerful.
1. Clean the rotor with dishwashing soap and water, then rinse it. Then clean it with alcohol to get any residue off of it.
2. Get a small bowl and pour some rubbign alcohol into it. Let the pads soak in it for a minute or two. Using pliers, hang onto the little tab and pick them up out of the bowl. Using a blow torch or similar device, burn them for a minute or so. They should look "dry" when you're done, and there will be a black residue on the pads now. Let them cool, and sand them down with fine sandpaper, then clean that off with rubbing alcohol.
Put the pads back in, readjust everything if needed, and that should do it. They may be loud for a couple stops, but that should get them back to full power.
1. Clean the rotor with dishwashing soap and water, then rinse it. Then clean it with alcohol to get any residue off of it.
2. Get a small bowl and pour some rubbign alcohol into it. Let the pads soak in it for a minute or two. Using pliers, hang onto the little tab and pick them up out of the bowl. Using a blow torch or similar device, burn them for a minute or so. They should look "dry" when you're done, and there will be a black residue on the pads now. Let them cool, and sand them down with fine sandpaper, then clean that off with rubbing alcohol.
Put the pads back in, readjust everything if needed, and that should do it. They may be loud for a couple stops, but that should get them back to full power.
Awesome man, I'll have to try that, hopefully it will work for me too.
I leave old pads soaking in rubbing alcohol. Stir ocaisionaly. Let stand. Repeat. Seems to work pretty well.