Brake fluid on shoes

[Cannuck]

Hi I just started getting my car ready for spring  I found brake fluid under front tire . removed tire and drum and found the shoes covered in brake fluid .I cleaned everything up with brake cleaner  and found the culprit the upper cylinder is seized out and fluid leaking around the cup.

I will order a new cylinder next week . My question is do I need to replace the front shoes or is cleaning them enough?

Thanks . I remember reading this very question before but can't find it and can't remember the answer.

[keithb7]

Replace shoes is my experience. No amount of break clean will remove the soaked-in brake fluid in the brake pad material. Once the contaminated shoes heat up, when braking you'll feel the car pulling in the direction of the bad brake side.

Edited March 12, 2022 by keithb7

[Cannuck]

Thanks Kieth  I will replace  all four  front shoes also  Its a bummer.

[harmony]

I too had the same experience as you with discovering a seized wheel cylinder this winter. I was reluctant to replace the shoes for two reasons.  Over the years I've grown to not trust the suppliers.  In this case one supplier charges almost twice as much as the other for brake shoes.  Their reasoning when questioned on it was that their shoes were either NOS or relined OEM shoes. and said the other guy gets their shoes from China.  Who knows if that's fact or fiction.

The other reason I was reluctant to open up my wallet is that there is plenty of lining left on my shoes.

So I though I might as well try and clean them. If the process fails then it's decision time as to where to get new shoes.

I used brake clean on the contaminated area, and then sanded them lightly with 180 grit, while it was still wet.  Disposing of the sandpaper almost immediately after a pass or two.  Wiping clean each time with a fresh piece of paper towel.

I checked them from time to time over the winter while replacing all my wheel cylinders and sure enough a smaller amount of wetness reappeared.  I did the procedure one more time.  This time the lining stayed nice and dry looking and the wet look never came back  

Granted I've only put on about 100 miles on the car since doing my brake job, but I have gone down some long steep hills with constant pressure on the shoes.  So far I haven't detected any signs of pulling or noise or any other abnormality with the brakes.  

I'm not saying that's the way to go, but it worked for me,,,, so far.  Soon I'll pull that wheel off and have another look.  If I see any wet shinny area, I'll order new shoes.

 

Keep us posted on what you decide.  I'd be interested in knowing where you get your shoes from, if you go that route, and if you're happy with them.

[Dodgeb4ya]

Be careful with Brake Clean on bonded linings....it can and will de-bond the lining if enough Brake Clean is absorbed into the lining.

Been there done that myself and talked to others...same story.

Small amounts ok.

[kencombs]

Try wiping them clean.  Clean again with Brake-kleen then bury them in Oil-dry or cat litter for a few days.  that stuff really draws the oily stuff out..

[Cannuck]

Harmony my shoes are 5 years old I know we don't travel that far in these babies but the brakes are poor at best . I really can't afford 

new shoes and cylinder but I can't afford not to  so I will be replacing them . Also the shoes were soaked in fluid been sitting like that all winter.

[Sniper]

A quick cleanup on a fresh spill, I've gotten away with that.  But soaking all winter?  I dunno if I'd roll those dice.

[Bryan]

2 hours ago, harmony said:

 

 

Keep us posted on what you decide.  I'd be interested in knowing where you get your shoes from, if you go that route, and if you're happy with them.

Same here. Got MC and wheel cylinders, brake lines and fittings.  Still need to buy shoes.

[harmony]

1 hour ago, kencombs said:

Try wiping them clean.  Clean again with Brake-kleen then bury them in Oil-dry or cat litter for a few days.  that stuff really draws the oily stuff out..

That's interesing, I never thought of that, but why not.  I use kitty litter on the oil stains on my floor

[harmony]

57 minutes ago, Cannuck said:

Harmony my shoes are 5 years old I know we don't travel that far in these babies but the brakes are poor at best . I really can't afford 

new shoes and cylinder but I can't afford not to  so I will be replacing them . Also the shoes were soaked in fluid been sitting like that all winter.

Since you're getting new shoes, Maybe try what kencombs suggested by submerging the  old ones in kitty litter.  That stuffs pretty cheap and it would make for a good experiment.

[Los_Control]

Depends how long winter is? Couple years ago I did a quick panic stop on my chebby.  The R rear wheel cyl started leaking.

Wife had her car and was out of state visiting the daughter. I wanted to wait a few weeks til she returned to take it apart. Have a spare vehicle to go and buy parts.

Just saying I let it go a couple months before fixing it. I rarely drove the truck and just added a bit of fluid as needed.

 

So when I did finally take it apart, I was surprised to see the shoes while wet were close to new, the drums were fine .... just the wheel cyl that looked like new failed.

I replaced the wheel cyl, used brake clean on the shoes and a few years later still working fine.

Brake clean really did a good job and they looked nice when finished.

 

What will happen if the shoe is contaminated with oil, they will grab and possibly squeak or make noise as they are making contact with the drum.

Because it is on the front you will notice it as it will grab and pull to one side or the other.    You will not like driving it and replace it.

 

But if they clean up and work fine, go ahead and use them? At least it is the front and easy to get to.

[Cannuck]

Well I ordered my parts today from AB couldn't  find them any where in Canada .

Harmony I will place them in kitty litter  for a couple of weeks , then heat them with a torch to see if any fluid shows  up  .

 

Thanks to everyone 

[Los_Control]

IMHO, you are doing great. I would actually try to make the old ones work first.

If they actually work fine that is awesome. Now you have a spare set of new shoes sitting on the shelf for when you need them.

 

I did the same thing, my original carb needed rebuilt. I was able to buy a new one from rockauto ... so I did.

Then I ordered a rebuild kit for the original carb ... rebuilt it, soaked it in oil then wrapped it up and set it on the shelf.

I searched last year and did not see that same carb available to purchase. ... Glad I have a spare.

 

Same thing with your brake shoes ... you can get them now, but next year maybe not.

 

For this reason alone, I would try to clean them up & use them, then have a spare set on the shelf ... If they are junk then toss them.