millermagic

I've had a Giant Upland for 7 years and this year it was time for a new mountain bike. I was searching for a good bike and fell in love with a raleigh M50dx with disc brakes. When I was camping, I got some oil on the bback rotor and didn't notice it. Is there any way I can get them to work good again or will I have to buy new rotor and shoes?

Rev.Chuck

You can clean the rotor with rubbing alcohol, but you will need to replace the pads. The pads are like sponges as they tend to absorb oil.
I have heard of people boiling the pads to get the oil out, but for $15 you can get new pads, so why go thru the trouble.

P.S. Try just cleaning the rotor first, sometimes this will do the trick

millermagic

Thanks. When I first realized that I had a problem, I cleaned the rotor with gas and rubbing alcohol and it did help some. I also tried clening the pads with rubbing alcohol, even though it will eat them up. I'm going to try boiling them tomoro probably. Again, thanks. I'll post back with the results tomoro.

supcom

Some people advocate dousing pads in some flammable fluid (please don't use gasoline!) and setting them afire. If all else fails, perhaps this may work for you.

Of course, do this outside in a fire safe place. A BBQ grill and charcoal lighter fluid comes to mind.

millermagic

It was quite funny when I cleaned the rotor becuase it put the gas in a big plastic dixie cup and when i got to where my bike was on the lawn the cup gave out. If boiling the pads works, I will need to ride down a hill or something to heat the brakes up right? Where would I get one of the pins that go on the brakes because it's getting quite a workout because I have to keep taking the brakes off?

Rev.Chuck

Gasoline+styrofoam=homemade napalm. Gasoline will make styrofoam disintegrate and gell into a sticky, flammable substance.
Boiling the pads is just that, you put them in some boiling water to get the oil out.
What brand of brake are you using?

millermagic

Shimano M475 Disc Brakes Thats what the owner's manual says.

halfbiked

Don't clean the rotors with any petroleum-based fluids (oil, gasoline, kerosene, etc). Use brake cleaner (at an auto-parts store) or alcohol (i.e. rubbing / denatured). All petroleum based stuff will be leave residue and possibly soak into the pads, which really bites, because you then have to replace the pads.

Tech Unlimited

There is an awesome product called Speed Clean from Finish Line. Use it! Love it!

millermagic

I tried the boiling water with no luck. Then I tried the alcohol flame and it didn't work either. I'll just go and buy new ones