Brake rotors often collect dirt and also brake dust. Brake dust can cause corrosion that can lead to increased braking distance, a dangerous occurrence which could impact the safety of motorists. This is why it is imperative that brake rotors be cleaned regularly. However, there is a flipside to this coin: removing rotor wheels can be time consuming and frustrating, even for the most experienced auto mechanic. This is why brake rotors should be cleaned without removing their wheels.
Park the car
The brake rotor is the part of your car’s brake system that makes contact with the wheels when you apply the brakes. Over time, these rotors can become covered by a layer of brake dust and brake pad material.
This buildup can cause your car to make noise when you apply the brakes. It also creates a safety issue because it reduces your ability to stop safely in an emergency situation. In order to get rid of this buildup, you’ll need to clean your rotors.
You can clean your rotors without removing them from the vehicle by following these steps:
- Park the car on a flat surface.
- Disengage the parking brake or place wood blocks between the tires and the ground so that they don’t roll while you’re cleaning them.
- Remove all four wheels from the vehicle, if possible. If this isn’t possible, just remove two wheels at a time so you have access to them from either side of the vehicle instead of having to reach around it or crawl underneath it with only one side accessible at a time.
- Clean off any dirt or debris from each rotor using an old toothbrush or wire brush, then inspect each rotor for cracks or other damage that would prevent you from restoring its original appearance and functionality
Examine the surface of brake disc
Cleaning the brake rotors is a process that should be done regularly. Brake dust can build up on the pads, causing them to wear out faster than they should. It also causes the rotors to become rusty and corrode. The rust will cause your brakes to squeal when you apply them. This is why it is important to clean your brake rotors as part of regular maintenance.
The first thing you need to do is examine the surface of your brake disc for any signs of damage or rust. If there are any signs of damage, you’ll need to replace them before proceeding with cleaning them.
Wash off dirt
You can use a garden hose to wash off all dirt from the surface of your brake disc. This will remove any loose debris from your brakes that could contribute to noise or vibration when braking.
Once everything is washed off, rinse off any remaining water so that you don’t leave any moisture behind on the surface of your brakes that may cause corrosion later on down the road.
Spray the brake disc using any good quality penetrating oil
The brake pads will be removed, so there is no need to clean them at this stage. The disc can be cleaned in place by spraying with a good quality penetrating oil. This will allow the oil to penetrate into the pores of the metal and loosen any corrosion or rust that may be present.
Allow the oil to soak for a few minutes before washing off with water and drying with a soft cloth or paper towel.
Wait for 5 minutes so that oil penetrates into the rusted rotor
Brake rotors are the most important part of your braking system. These are located between the brake pads and the wheels. They help reduce the heat generated by friction when you apply brakes.
So, it is important that you clean brake rotors regularly so that they are in good condition at all times. However, cleaning brake rotors can be difficult if you don’t know how to do it correctly. Here are some easy steps that will help you clean your brake rotors:
- The first step is to uncouple the wheel from your vehicle and place it on a soft surface like a driveway or garage floor
- Next, use compressed air or an air compressor to blow off any dirt or debris that may be present on the brake rotor
- Now spray some brake cleaner or WD-40 onto the rotor and let it sit for 5 minutes so that oil penetrates into the rusted rotor
Use sandpaper to brush off the rust from brake rotors
The brake rotor is a disc attached to the wheels of the vehicle. It is responsible for slowing down the rotation of the wheels when you apply pressure on your brakes, which in turn stops the car. The main function of the brake rotor is to stop the spinning wheels by converting kinetic energy into heat.
You don’t need to go through a lot of trouble to clean your brake rotors; you can do it easily at home. Use sandpaper to brush off rust from your brake rotors. Make sure that the sandpaper is not so coarse that it damages your rotors.
Clean the rotors with clean water
Cleaning brake rotors is a simple process, but it’s important to do it properly.
If you don’t clean your rotor surfaces regularly, they become covered in pad material and the brake pads will not be able to make contact with the rotor. This can cause vibrations when braking and lead to a loss of braking power.
Cleaning brakes is one of the easiest maintenance tasks that you can do yourself on your car and it can save you money by avoiding costly brake repairs later on.
What You’ll Need:
- Brake cleaner (not needed for drum brakes)
- Clean rags
Conclusion
Cleaning brake rotors with a wheel still on the car is not advised by most mechanics as it can cause temperamental problems. However, if you have to do it, make sure to follow this guide carefully. If you are dealing with dirty wheel studs, here is how you can clean them properly without removing the wheels from your car.
