Tool to Clean Caliper Bracket Bore Holes

Maintenance/Repairs
1

Is there a specific tool available to clean the bore holes in the caliper bracket for the guide pins? I have seen these brushes online

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I’ve seen these brushes on amazon and it seems like this would do the trick? I just don’t know if there’s a specific tool for this purpose to help clean out the old grease?

What type of brush should I use? That set has nylon, stainless steel and brass.

I normally use paper towels and brake parts spray. If a specific tool exists for this purpose it would probably be easier.

2

I’ve generally use q-tips or pipe cleaners to clean out small holes. I’ve used compressed air as well, but not a good idea for brake parts, breathing brake dust unhealthy. I used a on water-pik (water jet for cleaning teeth) to clean out debris from a windshield washer pump, worked well for that. The kit in the photo seems like it would be a good idea for a pro mechanic, but overkill for a diy’er. Unless you just want to have it.

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you should look at the bad reviews too. not just the good ones.
the bad reviews say the bristles break easy.

4

I imagine most brake mechanics could have the bracket holes cleaned without a special tool in less time then it took to start this thread.

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This is not something I’ve ever done that I remember but I keep a supply of Qtips on hand. If you really gotta use a wire brush just use a rifle cleaning kit.

6

Use brass or nylon so you don’t damage the bore.

Any bracket I’ve serviced… if brakleen couldn’t flush the crud, it got replaced.

7

Agree that would be better and possibly cheaper than the kit that the OP looked at if he don’t already have one.

8

I chuck a split mandrel into my drill and insert a piece of crocus cloth into the mandrel.

Tester

9

haven’t heard that term for years would that be the same thing as emery cloth?

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Emery sheets have block-shaped grit particles that cut slowly. Crocus sheets have a soft abrasive similar to 1500-2000 grit that’s good for fine hand-polishing of soft nonferrous metals.

Tester

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Thank you for that information the reason I asked was that I used emery cloth back in the day when you could still get a rebuild kit for brake wheel cylinders although I probably just aged myself. :laughing: :roll_eyes:

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Yeah that’s what I was thing too. I wonder where that disappeared to in 50 years. Don’t know what kind of sandpaper I used but the drill was a maning bowman plug in.

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As long as its not the same as a loincloth :grinning:

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I used a wheel cylinder hone to rebuild wheel cylinders. Even though I live in the rust capital of the world I have never had a problem with caliper pins. Mine usually come out clean and I coat them with Syl-glyde before I put them back in/

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You only need to clean out the old grease. I wrap a piece of paper towel around a straight slot screwdriver and clean it out that way. Then I’d apply a little high temp grease and use a new seal. I generally get 100k out of my brakes so it will be a long time between servicing.

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Tester

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If folks here want to see something funny, click on the “Safe Braking” link at top, then “view gallery”. Top photo “DIY brake slap gone wrong” … hmm … yeah, that job could have definitely been done better … lol … sort of reminds me of the time I put both contact lenses in the same eye. “I wonder what’s wrong? I can’t see worth a damn!!”

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@George_San_Jose1, didn’t see a “view gallery” in the link, but I don’t tweet so maybe that is why.

@Tester, OK, in that case but Ive never had one like that. I did have one where the pin was ever so slightly bent but it didn’t jam until pads were nearly worn out. Still only had to clean out the grease but replaced the pin.

19

You didn’t do enough brake jobs over the years.

Tester

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First click on Tester’s link, then click on “Safe Braking” top-left, then you’ll see the View Gallery link. It’s a hoot!