How I clean grease soaked brake shoes

This is a method I’ve used for decades now, but I haven’t had an opportunity to do a video showing it because it’s pretty rare anymore. This is my go to technique for getting the gear grease out of brake shoes after a seal failure when shoe replacement isn’t an option.

[@christophersugma3734]

Thank you for this video! axle seal leaked into my drivers rear brake shoes and I’ve been looking for a good way to remove all the gear oil from the shoes!

[@rakentrail]

If that's original chlorinated brake clean it should NEVER be heated! The gasses it will put off can KILL YOU! Don't listen to this guy! Buy new shoes!

[@bulldogsautomotiveadventur4387]

Are you a part’s salesman? I’ve been doing this for decades…like I said in the video, just use some common sense.

[@rakentrail]

Are a chemist? Chlorinated brake clean can suffocate you when heated! It produces a gas that can and will shut off your lungs! And no, I haven't sold auto parts since 1975!

[@bulldogsautomotiveadventur4387]

@@rakentrail like I said, I’ve been doing this for decades…I don’t sit there and huff the fumes, I don’t work in an enclosed area, and I don’t spray into the flames. I simply wipe the warm friction material with a paper towel damp with brake clean. I worry more about fire than fumes.

[@billsimpson604]

I think he is using the newer flammable brake clean. The good nonflammable chlorinated stuff is getting harder to find. I bought a case of it on Amazon before they outlaw it. Spraying flammable liquid can be dangerous.

[@bulldogsautomotiveadventur4387]

@@billsimpson604 yes I use the non chlorinated O’Reilly brake clean, either way I think he missed all that times I expressed “common sense” and warned against heating too much as well as spraying around flame…as well as offering alternatives such as removing them and washing them in solvent.