I usually bury them in cat litter for a few days.
GARY MARQUIS / FAT BASSET GARAGE
Chico California USA
> -----Original Message-----
> From: William Eastman [SMTP:william.eastman@medtronic.com]
> Sent: Monday, November 29, 1999 8:36 AM
> To: morgans@autox.team.net
> Subject: Brake cleaning
>
> As most others, I would not reccomend applying your brakes until the
> disks glow as a method for cleaning the brake pads. However, the
> concept of heating your pads to drive out oil is not a new one.
>
> My first car (that ran, anyway) was a 1957 Alfa. For some reason,
> parts were a bit hard to find in northern Minnesota. Whan miss Alfa
> blew a rear axle seal, we went ot the local National Bushing and bought
> a one. The brake shoes were oil soaked so my grandfather heated them
> with an acetylene torch. You could actualy see the oil coming out of
> the friction material. I don't remember the car having any abmormal
> braking characteristics afterwards but then again it was a rear brake
> and my standards were a little lower back then.
>
> Would I do this today? Probably not since I don't rely on obsolete
> cars for daily transportion so having an old car laid up for a week
> isn't a big deal. I have no clue how this technique would work on newer
> non-asbestos linings either. Plus my teenage belief in my own
> immortality has faded a bit now that middle age has found me. On the
> other hand, if I was on a road trip and it was either clean a brake pad
> or take a bus, I might give it a shot.
>
> Usual disclaimers apply only more so. My opinion only, I have no clue
> if it works today and am almost certain that the result would be less
> safe than new part. Brakes are important so please be careful.
>
> Regards,
> Bill Eastman
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