Reviving Brake Pads?

[gmcdesign]

Hi all,

I have a 2008 SYR Scorpa. For some reason the rear brakes is not what it used to be. The pads look OK (not worn too far) and the hydraulic actuation is OK. I can only surmise that the pads are glazed. Is it simply a matter of taking them out and giving them a treatment with wet and dry paper or do I need more drastic action? Also what would cause them to glazed in the first place? I do squirt a bit of CRC around after cleaning the bikes, but try to avoid the brake area.

Greg

[60trialer]

Hi,

I have success most times by riding around with the brake applied to heat up the disc, then pour water on the disc as you rotate the wheel - must steam clean any oil or silicone residue off.

cheers, Greg.

[bigdamo]

I take my brake pads off and bake them in the oven for a short period of time then a quick scuff with sander paper.

Don't do this while your wife is home.

[gmcdesign]

Whilst the thought of baking the pads in oven brings out my mischievous side and would certainly require some sweet talk, I'll try the first method. See how it goes, while pre-heating the oven to baking temperature!

Thanks guys.

Greg

[gordonmichaellee]

Personaly I would not want to heat them incase as the two materials heat up they expand at diferent rates, posibly causing the bond between them to break, especialy if you pour water on them. I would use, as you were going to, sandpaper, posibly a bit more course than wet and dry. take the pads off then rub them on a flat surface with the sandpaper on it. you don't realy need to wear off the oil/ residue, more just scuff them up a bit. also while your at it check there is no small rocks embeded in the pad. these can be dug out if there are any.
also whilst they are out clean the disc with a clean rag and metholated spirits, dont use anything that will leave a residue.
check the fuid level and the ajustment also.
good luck

I can't beleive I gave some advice that advised peolpe not to use the heating up method or fire of some kind ( if you read my other posts you will see how much I love a good heating ) I must be getting old ( or mabey saving it up for a good explosion peice of advice).

Also people should write more on how well methods have worked for them.

Bye-bye

[Starky]

For what it is worth I use a small (about the size of a twenty cent coin) half worn out flapper wheel in the dremel drill on slow revs. Just make a few light passes and they come up nice and clean without ripping the face right off. Don't get carried away and try to create a piece of sculptured art because you will be buying new pads.

Starky

[David Lahey]

Heres a lazy and quiet way to do it

Brakleen (a CRC product I think- red, white and black spray pack) works too. Just spray it on the disc and the pads without pulling anything apart. Straight away, wipe off the disc with a clean cotton rag and blow dry the section between the pads and the disc with compressed air.

Starky this is what I used on your Beta.

David

[gmcdesign]

Thanks everyone,

I think (I haven't done anything yet - waiting for the weekend) I will go with GordonMichaelLee as it seems the simplest and cheapest. Unfortunately I haven't a Dremel, but it's fathers day Sunday right? I will also keep a can of BrakeCleen handy for those times when my WD40 spray treatment is wayward.

Cheers,
Greg

[paulm]

Hi Greg

You might want to check with Paul A before you attempt to 'clean' the disk - I believe the 08 SY's have a special friction coating on the disks and I'm guessing that since Paul hasn't responded here he's away on a shoot.

best regards

Paul Mac

[gordonmichaellee]

Hi gmc design
I was not aware of any coating that may be on the disc, if that is so I would not use the meths as I originaly said but just a good clean rag, rub quite hard and start with just one spot so you can see whatresult you can get, then do the rest of the disc to the same standard. its easy to do a small bit and then get bored and not do te rest aswell as the first bit. this method forces you to do it properly.