Trick for getting oil out of brake shoes

[JIPJOBXX]

Brakes, brakes and more brakes!!! seems like that has been my main problem with my Dodge.

Last night I went down to the big car show and noticed that my brakes were really getting bad again. So today I was just going to re bleed the brakes system again but when I went to tighten up the bleeder vlv on the rear brake the casting on the brake cylinder broke in haft. So no hole to thread that bleeder back into:mad: So anyway I called up Hagen auto supply in Puyallup Washington and told them of my problem and right now they are rebuilding a new old stock brake cylinder for me. The cost is 75 dollars but that's ok as I'm just glad to get one.

Now to continue this story of a dog and a boy!!!! I bower-ed from a friend a hub puller to get the back hub oft and it work like magic. Oft came the hub and then I notice that the broken brake cylinder was leaking oil and was shot. So its kind of good that I broke oft part of the cylinder as I would have just probably went ahead an bleed all the brakes without knowing of the problems inside.

Now I have heard that you can bake shoe that have oil on them and I was wondering has anyone did this and at what temperature would you suggest? Oh yes and I better tell the wife as she might just get a little upset with me because of the fumes it might make:D . Jon

[Dennis Hemingway]

Jon, When my wheel cylinder went and soaked my brake shoes my son soaked them in dish soap and water over night we then rinsed them with hot water. That was 3 years ago and I have not had any problems.

Dennis

[JohnS48plm]

I had a front shoe that got some grease on it and pulled the car to the left. I talked to an old guy at a local brake shop and he said to heat it with a propane torch.

So I heated the shoes and it never pulled again. These were riveted linings and I don't know if heat would affect bonded ones.

JohnS

[Normspeed]

I've cleaned them with lots of brake cleaner spray and a rag. These stock brakes can be trying. I'm trying hard not to change 'em out.

[1949P17BC]

Have them resurfaced. Be safe not sorry. Even brand new the shoes are worthless, add fluid to them and they are totally worthless. An inexpensive way to go is to find a Heafy Truck Trailer Supply Parts house in your area, they often will resurface shoes. Can be very economical.

[knighthawk]

I've cleaned them with strong cleaners, brake cleaner works, kinda. Some will still seep to the surface later. Soap and water .....sounds good., but I would think the water would make the lining swell up . Also remember if they have bonded lining, the only thing letting you stop, is the glue ! Solvents and glue, not too good ! Best just to change them.

[BobT-47P15]

Re the dish soap.....son-in-law says he uses Dawn dishwashing liquid in a

fairly strong concentrate with water. Let a part soak for maybe overnite,

then rinse. Says it will clean things of all sorts pretty well.

I have just used the brake cleaner spray on mine lately....they seem to be

working OK.

You could also maybe go over the surface of the shoe with some emery cloth

to rough it up slightly.

[Mr. Belvedere]

Wear a respirator, and sand em up a bit after cleaning with brake cleaner, then spray again with brake cleaner to get rid of the dust

[david lazarus]

Many years ago an old mechanic said to briefly boil contaminated shoes in soapy water. The combination of heating and water will drive the oils out of the linings.

All that said......I have always relined just to be sure. Yet, if I needed a temporary "limp home only" fix I would probably do the above.

[Don Coatney]

My personal opinion is to replace any questionable brake shoes. Cost is minimul. Why take a chance?

[NatesSedan]

I have to agree Don. Not worth it. I would not recommend sanding them...Asbestos fibers hang in the air for a very long time.