How to Prevent Brake Pad Contamination in Cars?
Brake pad contamination occurs when brake pads become polluted with substances like oil, grease, and dirt. This contamination reduces braking performance and can lead to complete brake failure, increasing the risk of accidents. According to a 2015 review study, brake wear particles account for up to 55% of non-exhaust traffic-related emissions in urban environments (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4315878/). Preventing brake pad contamination is therefore critical for motor vehicle safety and reducing environmental pollution.
This article will provide an overview of what causes brake pad contamination, signs to look out for, dangers of contaminated brakes, and most importantly – how to prevent brake pad contamination through proper maintenance and driving habits. Keeping brake pads, rotors, calipers and lines clear of contaminants ensures optimal braking power and control when you need to stop quickly. We’ll also discuss when to replace contaminated brake components and best practices for brake system preventative maintenance.
What Causes Brake Pad Contamination?
Some common causes of brake pad contamination include:
Oil leaks: Leaks from the engine, transmission, power steering, or brake hydraulic system can allow oil to get on the brake pads, rotors, and calipers. This is one of the most common sources of contamination (Source).
Grease: Wheel bearing grease or ball joint grease getting onto the braking surfaces can also contaminate pads. Improper greasing practices during maintenance can spread grease onto rotors and pads (Source).
Rust particles: Rust buildup on rotors over time can flake off onto the pads. Caliper slide pins can also rust and cause contamination. Road salt in winter climates is a common cause of rust (Source).
Signs of Contaminated Brake Pads
There are a few key signs that your brake pads may be contaminated:
Brake squeal – Contaminants like oil, grease or brake fluid on the brake pads can cause loud squealing or screeching noises when braking. This high-pitched noise is a sign the brake pad material has been compromised.
Vibration – Contaminated pads may cause vibration or shuddering when braking. This is due to uneven friction on the rotor from pads that have been partially compromised.
Poor braking performance – Contaminated pads will have reduced friction and braking power. You may notice it takes longer to slow down or stop the vehicle. Braking distances will be increased.
Other signs include a burning smell from the brakes, brake dust or debris on the wheels, and visible contaminants on the brake pads upon inspection. If you experience any of these symptoms, have your brake pads checked and replaced if contaminated.
Dangers of Contaminated Brakes
Contaminated brake pads and rotors can lead to extremely dangerous situations on the road. The main dangers of contaminated brakes are longer stopping distances and potential brake failure. When brake pads and rotors become contaminated with fluids like oil, grease, or antifreeze, it drastically reduces friction and prevents your brakes from working properly.
Contaminated brakes require significantly more pressure when applied in order to slow down or stop the vehicle. This leads to much longer stopping distances, which is extremely hazardous in emergency situations where you need to brake quickly. Longer stopping distances make it much more likely to get into an accident if you need to slam on the brakes.
In severe cases of contamination, brakes may fail completely, meaning the brake pedal can be pressed all the way to the floor with zero braking effect. Total brake failure often occurs without warning and can result in catastrophic collisions since you lose the ability to control vehicle speed. According to this source, contaminated brake components should be addressed immediately to avoid potential brake failure and ensure safe operation of your vehicle.
Inspect Brake Components Regularly
It’s recommended to inspect your brake components at least every six months or 5,000-6,000 miles. This regular brake inspection allows you to catch issues before they turn into bigger problems. During a brake inspection, a mechanic will check the brake pads, rotors, calipers and brake fluid for signs of wear, damage or contamination.
Brake pads should be checked for proper thickness and wear. The pads should be replaced if they are worn down to 1/4 inch or less. The pads should also be inspected for grease, oil or fluid contamination which can reduce braking power. Contaminated pads may need cleaning or full replacement.
Rotors should be checked for wear, grooving, glazing, cracks and contamination. Excessively worn, damaged or contaminated rotors may need resurfacing or replacement. The brake calipers should also be inspected for leaks, sticking and proper operation.According to All Around Auto Repair, brake inspections every six months can catch issues before they become emergencies and help avoid unplanned, expensive repairs down the road.
Regular brake inspections as recommended by your owner’s manual and mechanic are crucial to spotting contaminated brake components before they jeopardize your safety.
Source:
https://allaroundautorepair.com/the-truth-about-how-often-you-need-a-brake-inspection/
Fix Any Oil or Fluid Leaks
One of the most common causes of brake contamination is leaks from the engine, transmission, or power steering. These fluid leaks can drip onto the brake components, causing contamination. According to one source, “If the brake booster’s casing is compromised due to wear, rust, or damage, it can potentially lead to a brake fluid leak.” https://nubrakes.com/blog/brake-fluid-leak/ It’s important to promptly fix any oil or fluid leaks that could drip onto the brakes.
Inspect the engine, transmission, hoses, seals, and gaskets regularly. Look for signs of leakage or seepage, and address any issues immediately. For example, a leaking power steering hose could drip fluid directly onto the brake disc or caliper. Have leaks repaired professionally to prevent ongoing contamination of the brakes.
Cleaning the brakes alone won’t solve the root problem if you still have leaks. The fresh brake parts will just become contaminated again over time. Be proactive and check for any signs of oil, transmission fluid, coolant or power steering fluid leaks that could affect the brake components. Repair all leaks thoroughly to avoid contaminating new brake pads or rotors.
Change Brake Fluid Regularly
One of the most important ways to prevent brake pad contamination is by regularly flushing the old brake fluid and replacing it with new, clean fluid. Over time, brake fluid absorbs moisture which leads to corrosion and contamination of brake components. Experts recommend flushing the brake fluid at least every 2 years or 30,000 miles.
When you flush the brake fluid, you are removing all of the old contaminated fluid from the entire braking system. This eliminates debris, dirt, and moisture that has built up over time. By replacing it with fresh, new brake fluid, you are restoring the integrity of the hydraulic system and preventing contamination of the brake pads and rotors.
Be sure to use the manufacturer-recommended brake fluid type when flushing the system. The fresh fluid will be free of contaminants and water, which will help prevent corrosion and ensure optimal braking performance. This regular maintenance helps extend the life of brake pads and rotors by preventing contamination.
Flushing brake fluid can be done at home with a brake bleeder tool or by a professional mechanic. It’s an inexpensive service that provides big preventative benefits for your brake system components.
Clean Brake Components
Keeping brake components clean is crucial to prevent brake pad contamination. Here are some proper cleaning procedures for rotors and calipers:
To clean rotors, start by removing any loose dirt, debris or rust buildup with a wire brush. For more thorough cleaning, use a brake parts cleaner spray and apply liberally to the rotor surface, allowing it to sit for 5-10 minutes before wiping away with a clean cloth. Avoid using abrasives like sandpaper, as this can damage the rotor surface. According to How to Clean Brake Rotors- Dust, Rust and Corrosion, white vinegar is an effective alternative to harsh chemical brake cleaners for cleaning rotors.
For calipers, use a brake parts cleaning spray liberally on all surfaces of the caliper and brake pads. Allow to sit for a few minutes before wiping away with a clean cloth. Be sure to read directions on the cleaner first and use the included plastic nozzle extender for the best coverage, as recommended by How to Use Brake Parts Cleaner The Right Way. Compressed air can also be used to blow out any trapped debris between caliper pistons.
Thoroughly cleaning rotors, calipers and brake pads regularly will help remove any contaminants that could degrade brake performance over time.
Replace Contaminated Brake Parts
Don’t just try to clean severely contaminated parts. Once brake pads become saturated with oil, grease or brake fluid, they are too far gone and need to be replaced. The porous material in brake pads acts like a sponge, absorbing contaminants that cannot be thoroughly cleaned out. Severely contaminated pads will have a shiny glaze on the friction surface.
It’s also a good idea to replace rotors that are deeply embedded with contaminants. The grooves and holes in brake rotors easily collect oil, grease and other substances that get baked on from heat. While rotors can be cleaned to some degree, they wear much faster when contaminated. New rotors ensure you are starting fresh without compromised friction surface.
Replacing contaminated pads and rotors gets rid of any embedded particulates and prevents uneven braking. According to this source, contaminated brake parts negatively affect braking power and feel. Getting new brake hardware restores optimal performance.
Preventative Maintenance
To help prevent brake pad contamination, it’s important to take preventative steps to maintain your brake system properly. Here is a summary of key maintenance tips:
Inspect brake components regularly, following a brake inspection checklist. Look for issues like worn brake pads, leaks, stuck calipers, and contaminated surfaces. Fix any problems immediately.
Change your brake fluid regularly as recommended by your vehicle manufacturer, usually every 1-2 years. Over time, brake fluid absorbs moisture which can lead to corrosion and contamination.
Clean brake components when changing pads and rotors. Use brake cleaner spray to remove debris, dirt and grease from calipers, rotors and pads. Contaminated surfaces can transfer to new brake parts.
Replace brake parts immediately if inspection reveals contamination. Don’t try to reuse contaminated pads or rotors. Use new, high-quality brake parts to ensure optimal braking performance.
Regular brake maintenance and inspection will help prevent contamination issues from occurring in the first place. It also allows you to catch problems early before they lead to more serious brake failure or unsafe vehicle operation.