Do brake calipers need cleaning?

1. Why is it necessary to clean the brake caliper?

Preventing binding: The brake caliper needs to glide smoothly on the bracket. Accumulation of dust, oil, and brake debris can clog or contaminate the guide pins, preventing the caliper from returning properly. This causes the brake pads to continuously rub against the brake disc, leading to abnormal wear of the pads and disc. This results in reduced power and increased fuel/electricity consumption.

Ensuring optimal braking performance:
Dissipation: A clean brake caliper more effectively dissipates the enormous heat generated during braking into the air. Sludge and dirt act like a "thermal blanket," hindering heat dissipation and reducing braking performance.

Even force distribution: A clean brake caliper ensures that all pistons apply force evenly, pressing the brake pads evenly against the disc, providing stable, linear braking force.

Extending component life:
Corrosive substances (such as de-icing agents and seawater) and hard dust can accelerate corrosion and wear on the caliper body, dust boot, and pistons. Regular cleaning removes these harmful substances, extending the life of the entire brake system.

Early detection of problems:
During the cleaning process, you can closely inspect the brake caliper's dust boot for cracks, piston leaks, and the integrity of the guide pin rubber sleeve. Early detection of these issues can prevent more serious problems and higher repair costs.

2. How to Properly Clean a Brake Caliper?

Warning: Always ensure the vehicle is parked and the parking brake is engaged before any operation. Thoroughly test the brakes after cleaning and before re-entering the vehicle.

Required Tools and Materials:
Jack, safety stand
Tire wrench
Wheel cleaner or specialized brake system cleaner
Soft-bristled brush, old toothbrush
Clean water, towel

Brake Caliper Cleaning Steps:
Safe Preparation and Removal: Safely jack up and support the vehicle, then remove the tire.
Preliminary Dust Removal: Use a soft-bristled brush or low-pressure air gun to remove any loose dust and debris from the brake caliper and wheel.
Spray Cleaner: Evenly spray the specialized brake system cleaner onto the brake caliper assembly, including the caliper body, brake pad ends, bracket, and brake disc. Caution: Avoid spraying the paint, as it may damage the vehicle.
Detailed Cleaning: Use an old toothbrush or soft-bristle brush to carefully scrub every corner of the brake caliper, especially the guide pin area, the contact groove between the brake pad and the bracket, and the gap around the piston.
Rinse and Dry: Rinse with a small amount of clean water (or wipe with a clean cloth) to remove dissolved dirt. Then wipe dry with a cloth or allow it to air dry naturally.
Key Tip: After cleaning, if conditions permit and you have some manual labor, you can perform a deep cleaning.

Installation and Testing:
Reinstall the tire and tighten the screws to the specified torque.
The most important step: Drive at a low speed on a safe road and gently apply the brakes repeatedly until the brake feel returns to normal. This is because the piston may be pushed back during the cleaning process, requiring the initial braking to reset it.

3. Cleaning Frequency Recommendations

For daily driving: We recommend a deep cleaning and maintenance every 10,000-20,000 kilometers or annually. After driving in adverse conditions: If you have experienced long-distance driving, wading through water, walking through muddy roads, or frequently driving on roads with snow-melting agents in winter, the brake system should be cleaned as soon as possible.