Smart move and a good decision to not disassemble those brifters, I made that mistake back many years, on an RSX set. Had to take them into the LBS and let the really sharp young man that is their lead mechanic repair them. He told me I was fortunate that he was able to get everything back in place and functioning. Best part was he didn't charge me for the work, he decided to use my screw up as a teaching opportunity. The flush with WD-40 is the best thing for the ones I have worked on since. And, don't forget the lubrication as T-mar said above in reply #3.