How To Clean Brake Calipers?

Last Updated on October 6, 2023 by Matthew Lloyd

Maintaining clean brake calipers is important to keeping your car safe and in good condition. Brake calipers are part of the braking system that holds the brake pads and presses them against the rotor to create friction when you press down on the brakes. Cleaning brake calipers can be tedious, but it’s essential to ensure your brakes function correctly. Here’s how to do it: Dirty and grimy calipers can not only be an eyesore but can also affect braking efficiency. To clean them, pre-cleaning and pre-rinsing the calipers and surrounding wheel. Use a cleaner to soften baked-on brake dust and agitate the calipers with detailing brushes. Make sure to clean hidden areas and follow a proper cleaning sequence. Rinse the calipers thoroughly and dry them using forced air or a towel. Regularly cleaning your brake calipers will keep them looking great and ensure optimal braking efficiency.

Cleaning Brake Calipers: Step-By-Step Guide

Step 1: Supplies for Cleaning Brake Calipers

You’ll need a wire brush, rags or paper towels, a brake cleaner, and a shop vacuum.

• The wire brush helps scrub away any heavy deposits from the caliper surface.
• Rags or paper towels are necessary for wiping down the area after it’s been sprayed with brake cleaner.
• Brake cleaner helps remove grime and debris without harming rubber parts like seals or O-rings.
• A shop vacuum is useful for sucking up dirt and dust inside the caliper before reassembly. Use an appropriate grade vacuum filter that won’t clog easily to avoid extra work later.

Step 2: Pre-Clean and Pre-Rinse

Before making direct contact with the brake calipers, it’s essential to pre-clean and pre-rinse them, along with the surrounding wheel. This step helps remove loose surface dirt and prepares the calipers for thorough cleaning.

1. Use a traffic film remover, all-purpose cleaner, or citrus-based degreaser to pre-clean the calipers and the wheel. Apply the cleaner generously and let it sit for a few minutes.
2. Rinse off the cleaner using a pressure washer or a hose, ensuring you cover all areas of the calipers and the wheel.

Step 3: Remove The Wheel To Access The Brake Calipers

After loosening the lug nuts and jacking up the car, remove the wheel. Be cautious when lifting the car with a jack, as it can be dangerous if not done correctly. Once you have lifted the car, remove each lug nut using a wrench and pull off the tire. It is recommended to place something behind or in front of the tire, so it does not roll away as you work on your brakes. Remove any dust caps or guards around the caliper bolts, which may be located at different positions depending on your vehicle’s design.

Step 4: Soften Baked-On Brake Dust

To effectively remove baked-on brake dust, it’s crucial to soften it using a suitable cleaner. The choice of cleaner depends on the condition of your calipers.

1. Use a dedicated wheel cleaner if your calipers are well-maintained and relatively clean.
2. For more neglected calipers with stubborn brake dust, dilute an all-purpose cleaner and apply it to the affected areas.
3. Allow the cleaner to dwell briefly to break down the brake dust.

Step 5: Locate And Inspect The Caliper

Examine the caliper for any cracks or other signs of damage. Look for rust on the caliper’s surface and inside any moving components like pistons and slide pins. If you see any significant corrosion or damage, it’s time to replace the caliper. Check all the hardware that attaches to your brakes – bolts, nuts, washers, and clips should all be in good condition. Make sure they aren’t corroded or damaged.

Step 6: Add Brake Cleaner To The Caliper

When adding brake cleaner to the caliper, spray it liberally and evenly across all surfaces of the component . Once you are done spraying, allow it to sit for at least 1-2 minutes before wiping it away with a clean cloth or rag. Be careful not to get too aggressive when wiping, as this could damage or scratch your brakes and cause them to malfunction over time. If there is still dirt present after using brake cleaner, repeat the process until completely removed from all surfaces of your caliper.

Step 7: Agitate with Detailing Brushes

Agitating the calipers with detailing brushes helps dislodge dirt and grime, ensuring a thorough cleaning. Use the following brushes for different parts of the calipers:

1. Face and easily accessible parts: Use a super soft shampoo-primed detailing brush for well-kept calipers. A slightly stiffer bristle but still suitable standard tight detailing brush will work for neglected calipers.
2. Intricate and recessed parts: Reach for a Viking long-reach brush tool specifically designed to access hard-to-reach areas of the caliper.

Step 8: Clean Hidden Areas

Cleaning the hidden areas of the calipers, such as the barrel and the tight spots between the caliper and the hub, ensures a comprehensive cleaning.

1. Use an easy detailed brush, either large or small, to access the mostly unseen area within the barrel.
2. Take advantage of the brush’s flexibility by bending it into a shape that can easily reach around the caliper.

Step 9: Rear Calipers

Cleaning rear calipers is equally important, though slightly more challenging, due to their recessed position.

1. Rear calipers generally have more space around them, making them relatively easier to clean.
2. Use the brushes mentioned earlier to clean the rear calipers, focusing on visible and hidden parts.

Step 10: Cleaning Sequence

Determining the cleaning sequence is important to ensure efficient and effective results.

1. Apply a wheel cleaner or an all-purpose cleaner to the wheel and the caliper.
2. Clean the face of the wheel first, then move on to the face and intricate parts of the caliper.
3. Finish up by cleaning the wheel barrels, which will clean any brake bits not accessed earlier.

Step 11: Rinse Thoroughly

After cleaning, a thorough rinse is necessary to remove any remaining soap suds and lingering dirt.

1. Use a pressure washer from various angles to ensure the calipers are as clean as possible.
2. Be cautious not to drive pressurized water directly into the brake calipers to avoid potential damage.

Step 12: Drying the Calipers

Properly drying the calipers is essential to prevent water spots and ensure a polished look.

1. Use a Metro Sidekick or a forced/compressed air system to blow dry the calipers and other wheel components.
2. A small general-purpose towel can wipe away and absorb any rinse water if a forced air system is unavailable.

Step 13: Lubricate The Brake Caliper

Once the brake caliper is clean, it’s time to lubricate. Use a silicone-based lubricant. Start by applying the lube on the top and bottom of the brake caliper’s pistons. Take your time to ensure all areas are adequately covered. Apply lube around any other sliding components, such as pins or tabs, that allow for movement when braking. Once everything is greased up, carefully reattach each part to your vehicle. Inspect the entire area to ensure all parts have been secured tightly, and no bolts have become loose during the cleaning and lubrication process before reusing your brakes.

Can You Clean Rusty Brake Calipers?

Yes, you can clean rusty brake calipers. The first step in cleaning rusty brake calipers is to remove any loose rust using sandpaper or a wire brush. This will help to remove all the rust. Apply a degreasing solvent to dissolve any residue left behind by the rust. Use a brush to scrub any stubborn deposits and rinse them with water. Apply an anti-rust coating such as WD-40 or CRC Rust Converter over all affected areas once completely dried. This will help protect your brake calipers from further corrosion and ensure they remain in good working order for extended periods.

When Should You Clean Brake Calipers?

Brake calipers should be cleaned at least once a year or when they become visibly dirty. Regularly cleaning them will help to ensure that your brakes are performing optimally and can reduce the risk of corrosion.

Can I Use WD40 To Clean Brake Calipers?

Yes, you can use WD40 to clean brake calipers. Spraying the WD40 onto a rag and then wiping it on the caliper surface is recommended. This will help loosen any dirt and grime that has built up on the brake caliper over time. However, note that WD40 should only be used as an occasional cleaner, not as a regular maintenance practice.

Can I Clean My Brakes With Water?

If you have disc brakes, using a degreaser or a special brake cleaning solution is best rather than just water. However, if you have drum brakes, it is okay to use water as long as you do not get any of the components wet that could corrode or be damaged by moisture.

How Often Should You Clean Your Brake Calipers?

Brake calipers should be cleaned regularly as part of regular car maintenance. Depending on the type of vehicle, brakes should be cleaned every 6-12 months or whenever they show signs of wear and tear.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Key Points and Important Tips

• Pre-clean and pre-rinse the calipers and surrounding wheel.
• Soften baked-on brake dust with a suitable cleaner.
• Agitate the calipers with detailing brushes for thorough cleaning.
• Clean hidden areas using flexible brushes.
• Follow a proper cleaning sequence: wheels first, then calipers.
• Rinse the calipers thoroughly after cleaning.
• Dry the calipers using forced air or a small towel.
• Avoid spraying brake cleaner indiscriminately and follow safety precautions.

Conclusion:

Cleaning brake calipers is essential to maintaining your vehicle’s safety and performance. To keep your brakes in top condition, it is recommended that you have them inspected every 6 months or 10,000 miles. During this inspection, it is essential to check for any signs of wear and tear on the calipers and any dirt or debris build-up. If there are any issues with the calipers, they should be cleaned right away to prevent further damage or decreased performance. When it comes time for cleaning, a simple solution like soap and water can be used on most caliper types, but it may be necessary to use a more specialized cleaner depending on how much dirt and grime has built up over time. Once the job is done properly, you can rest assured that your brakes will perform optimally when needed.