NOTE: It is important to clean disc brake rotors and clean disc brake pads to keep them free of dust, sand, grit and road grime to reduce noise such as rubbing, squeaky brakes, squealing brakes and, in turn, prolong disc brake life. This quick easy clean does not replace thorough cleaning of the rotor with disc brake cleaner and sandpaper but rather can be used after rides in dusty or damp conditions where there is minimal contamination.
After cycling in dusty or damp conditions one may hear a constant rubbing from the disc brake calipers and rotors. This does not always require removing the wheel and disc brake pads, rubbing with sandpaper or using disc brake cleaner. Unless the is buildup of grease of grime on the rotors or a decrease in brake performance, a DIY simple quick clean may solve your problem:
1. First check the the disc brake calipers are center and the rotor does not appear bent.
2. Wipe disc rotors with rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) using a microfiber cloth (so as not to leave fibers or threads on the rotors or brake pads).
3. Try spinning the wheel. If noise persists, remove the wheel and thoroughly clean the rotors. Wet one edge of the microfiber cloth and run it between the brake pads, rubbing each thoroughly. Next use a clean edge and wipe dry. Repeat if necessary. This will eliminate noise and keep the brakes clean most of the time and is quick and easy.
Note: However, if noise (or squealing persist) or the rotor has heavy road grime or grease contaminated brakes, you may need to remove the disc brake pads and give the rotor and pads a more thorough cleaning (rubbing alcohol/disc brake cleaner and possibly sandpaper for the rotors, rubbing alcohol and possibly sandpaper for the disc pads which we link to at the end of the video).
This quick cleaning will work for mountain bikes as well as road bikes. Making a Quick Clean as part of your regular disc brake maintenance will keep your disc brakes quiet, prolong component life, and keep your brakes performing at there best.
“Twisting” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
14 Comments
Thanks for another good bike cleaning video.
Sometimes (after removing both wheel and pads) I push the hydraulic pistons out as much as I dare, to do a more thorough clean; and then I smear a little silicone grease around the edge of the piston. I think it was the Hope component manufacturer that recommended lubricating with silicone grease over brake fluid.
Do you need to bed in the breaks after cleaning with rubbing alcohol?
I've been using iso alcohol on rims and rim brake pads, and also on disc rotors, but "flossing" the gap between disc pads hadn't occurred to me for some reason – thanks!!
Just the video I needed thank-you for showing us a nice quick interim clean in-between rides 👍 My rotar was making the exact same sound
Should you clean down the brakes and pads if you find your brakes a spongy and not working well?
Why not use rim brakes that are so much easier to maintain?
Can brake noise be cause by things other then dirty rotors or brake pads?
Nice video – will give it a try.
My mtb was squeaking when in motion. Standard lubrication made zero difference. Cleaning the rotor and pads did the trick. Thanks, Tony.
I pull the brake pads to clean them as well as the rotors whenever I have brake noise.
Does this work for mountain bikes as well as the road bike shown?
I wanted to ask about how that bike fares considering you have gone through so many, I have a Marin Fairfax 3 urban bike that I use in NYC for UberEATS deliveries. It's a sora 2×9 speed, shimano hydraulic disc brakes, bought continental contact plus tires, and esi grips for comfort and shock absorbing on the handle bars. It also came with a carbon fiber fork, which i see other bike companies have on their version of urban bikes. Much love and been a fan for some time now!
being a complete newbie, I cleaned it with a sponge and soap, I guess I’m screwed