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ADVICEThis helps with oil on brake discs or pads

Stefan Frey

 · 24.10.2018

ADVICE: This helps with oil on brake discs or padsPhoto: Robert Niedring
Oil on brake disc or pads: What to do?
We investigate the myth of whether oil on MTB disc brakes really makes the pads and brake disc unusable. Expert Florian Ohnesorg has the answer.

The problem: Oil on the disc brake

The stupidest mistakes often happen, especially when things have to be done quickly. A little oil on the chain just before the tour and off you go. But before you know it, the well-intentioned spray does not reach the drivetrain, but mists the entire brake disc on the opposite side. If you notice the faux pas early on, you can prevent the worst by carefully cleaning the disc with isopropyl alcohol before the oil sludge soaks the brake pads. Touching the brake disc with greasy fingers also has the same undesirable effect. Once the brake pads come into contact with oil or grease and become saturated, the braking effect is reduced to zero. The first moment without brakes can be extremely critical, especially when it really matters.

Once the pads are really dirty, replacing the brake pads and cleaning the brake disc is unavoidable. But what do you do if you don't have any replacement pads to hand and you absolutely have to keep riding? BIKE mechanic expert Florian Ohnesorg carried out the test for us and checked out the most common tips from the internet. On the next page, you can find out how the recommended spinner performs.


TIP: To minimise the risk of oily pads or brake discs, Florian recommends chain oil from a dosing bottle. "With a spray, 75 per cent is quickly lost. If you still want to use a spray, you should only spray on the chain below the chainstays in the direction of travel," advises Florian.


Our screwdriver expert Florian Ohnesorg: The two-wheel mechatronics technician has already been European champion mechanic and owns a bike shop in Ingenried near Schongau. There is hardly a bike problem that he cannot solve. Florian can tell how many kilometres the bike has covered just by smelling the fork oil.

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Florian Ohnesorg, two-wheel mechatronics technicianPhoto: Robert NiedringFlorian Ohnesorg, two-wheel mechatronics technician

WHAT REALLY HELPS?

HOT BRAKES: "It'll wear in" is what many people think when the pads are a little oily. During my test ride, however, I quickly became disillusioned. No matter how I braked and how hot the brakes got, the braking performance was absolutely weak - dangerously weak in fact. Absolutely nothing improved over time. Conclusion: life-threatening.Photo: Robert NiedringHOT BRAKES: "It'll wear in" is what many people think when the pads are a little oily. During my test ride, however, I quickly became disillusioned. No matter how I braked and how hot the brakes got, the braking performance was absolutely weak - dangerously weak in fact. Absolutely nothing improved over time. Conclusion: life-threatening.SANDING: After I had properly sanded the pads with sandpaper, I went out on the test track again. The braking performance was actually slightly better. But only slightly. No matter how hard I squeezed, it was simply not possible to lock the rear wheel. I still wouldn't venture off-road like this.Photo: Robert NiedringSANDING: After I had properly sanded the pads with sandpaper, I went out on the test track again. The braking performance was actually slightly better. But only slightly. No matter how hard I squeezed, it was simply not possible to lock the rear wheel. I still wouldn't venture off-road like this.BURNING OUT: You often read that fire can burn the oil out of the coating. That sounds like a hot thing. I poured rubbing alcohol over the pads in a metal container and set them on fire. (DO NOT recreate this at home!) During the subsequent brake test, the deceleration was still unsatisfactory, similar to before. Conclusion of my experiment: replace oily pads in any case!Photo: Robert NiedringBURNING OUT: You often read that fire can burn the oil out of the coating. That sounds like a hot thing. I poured rubbing alcohol over the pads in a metal container and set them on fire. (DO NOT recreate this at home!) During the subsequent brake test, the deceleration was still unsatisfactory, similar to before. Conclusion of my experiment: replace oily pads in any case!


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Stefan Frey

Stefan Frey is from Lower Bavaria and loves the mossy, loamy trails of the Bavarian Forest as much as the rugged rock of the Dolomites. For technical descents, he is prepared to tackle almost any ascent - under his own steam. As an accessories specialist, he is the first port of call for questions about equipment and add-on parts, while as head of copywriting he sweeps the language crumbs from the pages of the BIKE print editions.

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