How To Clean Hydraulic Brake Pistons

How To Clean Hydraulic Brake Pistons - Tech Tuesday

Рет қаралды 760,528

6 жыл бұрын

Prevent "sticky pistons" by cleaning and lubing the pistons every time you change pads. We talk a bit about how the brake functions and walk through the cleaning procedure to help your brakes in the long run.
Questions or comments? Leave them below!
➤ Tools & materials used:
• PP-1.2 Hydraulic Brake Piston Press www.parktool.com/product/hydr...
• DOT fluid or Mineral oil ( use the same hydraulic fluid in your brake)
• Cotton swabs
• Isopropyl alcohol
➤ Fix It:
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• Visit our KZfaq Channel: / parktool
• Visit the Repair Help section of Parktool.com: www.parktool.com/blog/repair-h...
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Пікірлер: 615

@corkhead0 6 жыл бұрын

I always wondered how hydraulic brakes self adjusted. It's beautifully simple. Great explanation!

@adriansue8955 3 жыл бұрын

I think they're simplifying the explanation here. Also have to remember the oil reservoir on the master cylinder, its open to the cylinder at the resting position, but closed off during motion. This means as the master cylinder returns, just before returning to rest the system becomes open and oil pressure is relieved; so the slave pistons don't get fully sucked back to where they started. At the same time, the flexing seal means there's preferential for the slave pistons to slip more in one direction than the other. Both things need to work together for the pad wear compensation.

@qisxis 2 жыл бұрын

@@adriansue8955 yes thanks so it is a two sided story.. The pressure side and the relaxing side. Nice to get more understanding

@cebruthius 2 ай бұрын

@@adriansue8955 I think the way it works, is that the seal can also flex a bit in the other direction. Only when the master cylinder piston returns past the reservoir timing port, the caliper piston seals can relax to the middle position.

@KarlenBell 3 жыл бұрын

This was super informative! I always thought the pistons moved back because of the vacuum in the chamber when it is pushed out, but it was the seals that were doing the jobs all along~

@ed0078 6 жыл бұрын

Excellent Park Tool®. We need more of these. Kudos to the graphic artist

@14erGuy 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for making this fun to watch as well as informative! You guys are great. And it really helped that you talked about one caliper moving less than the other because I have this exact same thing going on. Thanks for the help! And I'm subscribing to this channel now.

@PeterKern63 2 жыл бұрын

Great instructions, explanations (including graphics). Helped us getting hydraulic break pistons cleaned and brake pads replaced! Thank you!!

@karlbe8414 3 жыл бұрын

Best explanation of a very common and eventual problem for most anyone. Great visuals!

@marky26uk 6 жыл бұрын

Best bicycle maintenance tutorials i've seen, thanks guys :)

@jgbarre 4 жыл бұрын

Had a sticky seal on my wife’s recumbent trike. Was able to unstick it with the help of your video. Thanks guys!

@parsnips800 6 жыл бұрын

Great information in this video. Thanks for taking the time to produce this .

@SarcoZQ 3 ай бұрын

Well done guys. Thanks to this video I was repair a lazy piston yesterday. Felt great knowing what to do and your enthusiasm works really well. Thanks again.

@markjones7130 3 жыл бұрын

That was a great presentation. Very detailed with cut away parts. I had squealing brakes but after 3 repeated pad/rotor cleaning and scuffing it still squealed. After your video I checked the pistons and found they moved very little and did not retract. Followed your procedures and now they move properly. Voila! The squealing is gone. Big thanks guys.

@MultiGreenGaming 6 жыл бұрын

Woah, this video was uploaded the moment i sat down to clean my brakes, what a coincidence :O. Thank you very much very informative and fun tutorial!

@oot-n-aboot 3 жыл бұрын

This is fantastic! I've been changing my pads and aligning my rotors for years, but never thought to clean and lube the seals. Pesky seals! Thank you,

@fernandolespade 4 жыл бұрын

Muchas gracias por su aporte! Realmente se agradece, es simple y me parece que está muy bien explicado. Tanto la animación como el capiller recortado es de mucha ayuda para entender como funciona el sistema. Saludos desde Argentina. Comenzaré a seguirlos.

@joemichaelegan8214 4 жыл бұрын

I’ve used some Pad grease as is used with Motor vehicle Brakes and I have improved feeling through the lever as well as the eradication of sticking Pads and noisy metallic scraping from the Cycles Disk Brakes.

@elbobbitosmartito4185 Жыл бұрын

Another tip. Anti-bleed the breaks if the piston doesn’t quite go all the way in. Unscrew the bleed port on your break handle slightly and push the piston in a little bit. Let a couple drops of fluid out. A little goes a long way so don’t push too hard on the piston.

@punkybeerconsumer 6 жыл бұрын

Another Tip: Keep an old set of pads around as a maintenance pad set. Allows you to push the pistons back in without damaging the piston faces if using a flathead screwdriver/chisel/etc.

@moltam99 6 жыл бұрын

Use plastic tire levers :)

@punkybeerconsumer 6 жыл бұрын

Ha. Good idea. I keep my plastic levers in the road kit. Have the Park metal levers that've never let myself down.

@s31720 4 жыл бұрын

Was wondering if it was necessary to invest in the parktool piston press that they use here. I tend to bodge it with my metal tyre levers and always scratch the surface.

@butchgreene 4 жыл бұрын

Simplest and least damaging is the box end of a cheap 10mm wrench. I say cheap because expensive ones have a huge width. Cheap ones will drop between the pucks. And if you have old Hayes post mount brakes, the box won't break the post

@keatonalexander89 3 жыл бұрын

@@s31720 I use a wooden paint stir stick. They are firm enough to do the job, soft enough not to damage the pistons. Stick one through the caliper and pull with both hands

@Rebelscum985 Жыл бұрын

Awesome video. This is the kind of info that’s difficult to find. Thanks for making it easier for us!

@billybass4189 6 жыл бұрын

Nice tutorial, I have a lazy seal on my front brakes and now I'm Confident to tackle the problem.

@genesioapretto5077 5 жыл бұрын

you of the Park Tool are very well understood know what they do and the tools are appropriate

@fluffyfizzer 5 ай бұрын

Fantastic video! I’ve just performed this job after shying away from it for years! Thank you!

@wallace8637 4 жыл бұрын

I love this guy talk. Looong and simple at times.

@user-cx2bk6pm2f Жыл бұрын

The illustrations and animated graphics are incredibly well done. Give that man a raise! 😀👍

@oscarbloomer3979 11 ай бұрын

A 3mm Allen key in the calliper slot where the rotor is positioned will stop the pistons from popping out. (4mm Allen for Sram). This way all the pistons can be cleaned. If disassembling the calliper then this method is great for getting the pistons completely out to check the seals

@edge24x 11 ай бұрын

I never knew this!! Amazing and extremely underrated comment.

@RichardE221 2 жыл бұрын

I thought I needed to replace my brake pads and rebleed the system after about 500 miles of mixed riding. I cleaned my pistons and they work like new! Thanks guys. This was the answer.

@btown8210 4 жыл бұрын

This are superb tutorials/info! Thank you

@sbrinton3 3 жыл бұрын

Very informative on how to correct those sticky pistons. Thanks

@LotsOfRobotsINC 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your help. I just bought a maintenance stand so I can fix everything myself, with your help.

@vitrobenek3426 Жыл бұрын

Great video, very comprehensive. From my experience water and mild soap works better to remove both brake fluid and mineral out. Furthermore, I would also mention how the reservoir works and how it gets isolated by the master piston before pressure build-up. Many people still think adding more fluid to the system than intended will reduce the dead stroke.

@dineshhanda2301 3 жыл бұрын

Wonderful video as usual. Thanks Calvin, thanks Trueman

@MrTimmmers 3 жыл бұрын

Brilliant video, I had a lazy seal, was really messing with my head until I watched this. Many thanks guys.

@automaticraccon 5 жыл бұрын

Always informative and entertaining. I love your channel.

@b.s.adventures9421 6 жыл бұрын

Good tips. I’ll be employing those at work soon. Thanks.

@g.fortin3228 6 жыл бұрын

great! really helpful !!! Thanks guys really enjoy the maint. tutorials.

@ajlong404 Жыл бұрын

Terrific job explaining how the pistons work and how to clean them. But, that seal clap and bark is everything! I had to watch the beginning of the video a couple more times. 😆😆

@VanDungLe2510 6 жыл бұрын

Wow, thank you so much :)) I've been told to use silicon grease to lube the piston. But know, thanks to you guys, i know that i can use brake oil to both clean and lube the piston (and also know how the system work too). P/s: i know with mineral oil is fine, but i don't think you should use the same method for DOT fluid braking system, cuz DOT oil is a little bit too harmful.

@cstrike105 9 ай бұрын

Thank you for the info. Learned a lot on how to clean my disc brake pistons.

@PhoenixT1953 6 жыл бұрын

2:43 *alcohol for our alcoholic friends*

@nickmihai 5 жыл бұрын

Funny guy! :))

@Leviathandk 4 жыл бұрын

I came to the comments for this

@nicolasmasquerade 4 жыл бұрын

Lol wanted, to write same thing ;)

@1ignis 4 жыл бұрын

..that is ethanol !. Surely a cheaper and better option would be isopropyl alcohol and save the ethanol for a G&T?

@BPNX 4 жыл бұрын

Could i also use regular brake cleaner or lighter fluid for the cleaning part?

@ironman1518. 4 жыл бұрын

GREAT explanations! Thank you both!

@KOL630 10 ай бұрын

Excellent explanation guys thank you.

@jamesturner9481 4 жыл бұрын

The very last bit might help me out, I have one side that moves a fair bit more than the other so moving the caliper should help. Crossed my mind to try that 👍👌☺️

@that70sschwinn 6 жыл бұрын

Nice demonstration guys...

@corsomagenta 5 жыл бұрын

Excellent work. Thanks y'all!

6 жыл бұрын

Fantastic videos! Congrats!! Super useful!!

@mikecox7574 6 жыл бұрын

Very well done guys. One item of note, if you have a Shimano brake with ceramic pistons do not use any metal tool to cycle the pistons. Also you have to be very careful to push on the center of a ceramic piston as to not get it sideways. With ceramic I will usually leave the old pads in to protect the piston while I cycle them.

@David_SPN 2 жыл бұрын

I made a mistake, I pressed too hard and the pison came out, I put it back on but it caught air. and after a while I started to lose the mineral oil from the Shimano hydraulic brake. Please help me and explain to me how to proceed to put the piston back so that I do not lose mineral oil again. Thanks!

@ninjapyro9969 2 жыл бұрын

@@David_SPN put it back and then bleed the brakes

@HarveyLMiller21 2 жыл бұрын

@@David_SPN You can't put the pistons back without losing the mineral oil or brake fluid. After cleaning the piston and placing it back you'll need to bleed the brake.

@rodent Жыл бұрын

what material is the back of the pad made of? metal. that tool is flat as a pad, so I guess is as safe as a pad to push pistons back.

@wlouisharris 3 жыл бұрын

Very informative. Hydraulic disc brakes are a pain though. They stop with amazing precision but there are a number of components to maintain. The part I am having a problem with is reaching the pistons while I have the brakes compressed.

@Rudas2007 5 жыл бұрын

This was really helpful. Thank you.

@user-sg1df3se7t 6 жыл бұрын

You guys are brilliant!! Thank you!

@bkxc 6 жыл бұрын

Solid info guys!

@lello333 6 жыл бұрын

Ty for ur time to upload this video.. ty guys

@jakeb1778 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video. I have brand new slx 4 piston brakes on my bikes. Despite lubing/working the pistons, one side is still uneven to the other(less them 1mm). At the end of this video you guys day to just leave the piston and center rotor between pads. Therefore having the caliper itself slightly off center to rotor. I've been told elsewhere to restrict overactive pistons and balance. Then align caliper to rotor... Wood really appreciate if you could elaborate

@kendobson9009 4 жыл бұрын

Cheers fellas. Sorted my sticky pistons out nicely! Great advice :-)

@kotawtharmtbmogok8433 Жыл бұрын

So lovely maintenance ❤️

@matfly4832 Жыл бұрын

Great tutorial guys, thank you!

@Joseph_JoJo440 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for that. Couldn’t get my back wheel back in and had no idea why or how to adjust the brake pads (I knew where I was with v brakes). All sorted now!

@Henrymayday 4 жыл бұрын

Great educational info! Feels like a father and son video 😀

@akuma9132 3 жыл бұрын

thank you so much for the tutorial, the inner piston was rubbing the right part of the rotors then when i did this tutorial it actually worked!.

@Bjoggi308 6 жыл бұрын

Best way that I have found to clean the pistons is to use a nylon tube brush. Then lube with mineral oil or brake fluid, then push back, clean, re-install.

@twosons5290 6 жыл бұрын

Informative and entertaining. Thanks

@Oldvelocette 4 жыл бұрын

Quality video. Thanks for posting

@JasonTong 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks guys... this cleared up alot of questions I had.

@FollowThatDale 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent as always. Thanks!

@AngelaCastuera 2 жыл бұрын

Great video. This is the problem to my hydraulic brake now. Thanks

@educationalvideos4151 4 жыл бұрын

I think this helped with a brake centering issue I was having. My rear wheel was almost rubbing on one side with more daylight on the other, but the rotor was centered in the caliper. After adjusting the caliper or pressing in pistons it would just happen again later. Today fixed the sticky piston on one side and now I see even daylight on each side. Maybe the better-moving side was squeezing out too much each time I tried resetting brake alignment, while the sticky piston wasn't out enough yet. I don't know if it would actually work that way, like I think it would have to almost slightly and temporarily bend the rotor from one side while braking for the piston to remain stuck out too much. I'm running thought experiments in my head while tired and I'm a maintenance newb anyway. Maybe I did something else that fixed the centering... but I think it was this.

@KeepOnRollinFilms 2 жыл бұрын

Very, very helpful. Thank you guys!

@AlonAbraham1 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you guys,this was the tutorial i was looking for:)

@mtbhart9198 6 жыл бұрын

So glad i watched this great info my dudes!

@aye5519 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot, that’s what i was looking for to fix my hydraulic break 👍🏻

@zoranspirkoski1342 Жыл бұрын

Excellent video!! Thank you!

@hochiminh902 4 жыл бұрын

You two are the best.

@jasonvolante3842 3 жыл бұрын

right on the spot! this is what i am searching for.

@alaingagnon23 3 жыл бұрын

Fantastic intel!

@bendenisereedy7865 Жыл бұрын

Great explanation. Most people think the pistons slide in and out of the seals.

@Alan-yu5vn 3 жыл бұрын

great info, well done! just felt like this vid was made to entertain toddlers

@Timyoo78 6 жыл бұрын

Very informative! Thanks

@wtfmimshag 6 жыл бұрын

Great tips. Been working on bikes for how long and never saw an explanation for why one piston might want to move more than the other.

@adriansue8955 3 жыл бұрын

for me its more like, I've never seen an explanation for why they should want move in synch in the first place. There's no mechanical coupling between them, and fluid's going to take the path of least resistance. So in my mind is a miracle that they'd even be as close as they are.

@akeluify 3 жыл бұрын

@@adriansue8955 the fluid isn't taking any paths of least resistance, as the resistance is the same on both sides of the pistons. Theres the same amount of gap for the fluid behind each piston. So whats happening is even pressure is being applied to each of the calipers, its just up to the seal to bring it back after pressure taken off,

@hughjanus7354 Жыл бұрын

@@akeluify "the resistance is the same on both sides of the pistons" ...in lab conditions when both pistons are brand new. And even then there will be differences resulting from how each seal interacts with each piston. Once they start picking up dirt these differences will increase and each side will retract differently.

@forrestegan 2 жыл бұрын

Very helpful video!! I’m new to hydraulic brakes, recently replaced rotors and pads on my mountain bike…the front brake was rubbing, now it’s not!! Keep up the great work!!

@MaquinasDePalomitas 3 жыл бұрын

You just gotta love these guys.

@jkamer2168 6 жыл бұрын

Killer video, a huge step I've been neglecting. Sorry wifey...gonna be in the garage tonight!

@CBFREE 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for a brilliant explanation of Hydraulic Pistons with lazy seals. What about if they are not just lazy and they are dead seals and you want to replace them?

@pminiger9278 3 жыл бұрын

So working on your bike's brakes is a two person job! Awesome!

@robertleslie3396 3 жыл бұрын

Great tips, sorted out my sticky brakes in no time

@ItsABarmcake 2 жыл бұрын

Exactly what my pistons are doing on a used bike I bought. This might have saved me a trip to the bike shop!

@arielescarza3288 Жыл бұрын

thank you so much park tools

@ak_vg9715 6 жыл бұрын

Great tutorial.👍

@brandookie79 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the vid. Useful info

@maff1975 3 жыл бұрын

Very entertaining and good info!

@82lostsoul 5 жыл бұрын

Just done this exact procedure on my PITA SRAM Guide R brakes, best they’ve ever felt the 9 months I’ve had the bike!

@MTBMOR 4 жыл бұрын

Just did on my 4 pistion SLX brakes...I hope my feel as good on the trail as they do in the garage

@alanlemap Жыл бұрын

(glad it helped but) isn't that against SRAM manufacturers guidance, to NOT use dot fluid around the piston? I am wondering if the fluid would make the seal slide instead of GRIP and pull back, the way it should....? The reason is, I have pistons that don't retract enough after use, so they grip juts enough to stop the wheel spinning freely ...

@BikingVikingMTB 5 жыл бұрын

Awesome tutorial i never bew this but will clean my pistons next time 🤟

@RochX-7 2 жыл бұрын

This was not the video I intended to watch... but I'm glad I watched it. You guys are solid af. lmao :)

@BrendonMacintosh 4 жыл бұрын

Have you made a video on how to replace the the seal on on the master piston in the hand lever assembly?

@robertdewar1752 2 жыл бұрын

Nice diagram of how the seals work

@mywaveinwoodswoodperfumes 3 жыл бұрын

nothing better than scientific explanation, massive thank you

@haansworsie 3 жыл бұрын

Tonight my friend and I replaced pistons and got brakes working good as new again. Super stoked 🖐️

@tcjensenjr 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you guys! Subscribed!!

@mjatomic 5 жыл бұрын

nice job guys

@minigator2 2 жыл бұрын

Gold video!

@slashdoink2501 3 жыл бұрын

I have a Shimano 4 pot piston from a mountain bike that’s less than 15 month old, I have explained to the bike shop that the outer bottom piston is not retracting all the way back and is causing intermittent disc rub at certain speeds which is quite annoying, they have had the bike once and said they have done a front brake service on it. I took this bike out and it is now worse than it was before. I have taken this bike back again but I don’t have much confidence of them fixing it.