Squealing and squeaky brakes can be frustrating, to say the least. Most drivers believe WD40 is a lubricant that can eliminate such noises, so it is common to see the product used on squeaky brakes. Knowing the effects of using WD40 on the brake system is crucial.
So, can you put WD40 on the brakes? WD40 must not be put on brakes because it can reduce friction where needed, causing brake pads to slip and increase the time taken to brake safely. Besides, the product can damage vital brake components due to its corrosive nature. Whilst WD40 can temporarily reduce squeaks and squeals, in the long run, it can affect brake functionality, whereby brakes could fail where you need them most, increasing the risk of accidents.
WD40 is a lubricant believed to help remove the squeaky sounds when braking. Driving with squeaky brakes can be frustrating because they could affect the overall car functionality. Drivers and car owners wonder whether it is possible to put WD40 on brakes.
You shouldn’t put WD40 on the brakes. This is because WD40 can reduce friction levels in areas where it is needed. Besides, the product can damage brake components due to its corrosive nature.
Exposing WD40 to your brakes will make them ineffective in the long run. Even though the product helps eliminate brake squeak or squeal, it increases the chances of brake failure. This means that the brakes could fail in times you need them most. Such cases could result in accidents.
It is vital to know that brakes have multiple components, including brake lines, a master cylinder, brake pads, a caliper, and a rotor. These are essential parts of the brake system that must be protected at all times.
Spraying WD40 on any of these parts can cause significant damage. In fact, continued use of WD40 will wear down the brake components faster than usual. This means that they will need replacement more often.
Given their essential role in the brake system, brake components can be costly to replace. This is one of the reasons why you shouldn’t use WD40 on brakes. There are several other reasons why WD40 shouldn’t be used on brakes and knowing them is highly recommended.
Using WD40 on brakes could affect the efficiency of your vehicle’s brake system. This means that the car could fail to stop on time. If you didn’t know, WD40 works as a solvent. The primary purpose of WD40 solvent is dissolving rust. Even though the product does a good job removing rust from the brake system, it comes with various risks.
Most drivers will want to remove rust from brake pads to eliminate squeaky sounds but doing so can have dangerous consequences. In most cases, the rust on your brake pads will fall away on its own as you drive. This means the rust problem shouldn’t be a major concern, especially if the brake pads are still new.
Even though WD40 is not a natural lubricant, it has lubricating properties. This means that spraying the product on your brakes might affect the rotor’s functionality. Besides, using WD40 on your brakes means that some of it will be left behind.
The presence of oil on brake pads and rotors could make your car not stop when needed. You can imagine driving at high speed, and the car doesn’t stop on time when you step on the brakes.
Such cases will result in severe car accidents and injuries. You will likely experience such cases if you are unaware of the risk associated with using WD40 on your brakes. Therefore, it is a good idea to stop using the product altogether.
Another reason you shouldn’t use WD40 on brakes is that it can cause caliper corrosion. Using the product on your brake system increases the risk of caliper corrosion. When WD40 comes in contact with brake pads or brake calipers, the piston seal and dust boot can swell. Consequently, the two components become softer than usual. They start to break down in that state due to their weakened structure.
Given that WD40 is highly corrosive, it erodes the piston seal and makes the piston stick. As a result, it significantly affects the piston’s ability to function. This increases the risk of brake failure.
On the other hand, brake pads wear down at a faster rate, making the seal overheat. The high temperatures make the seal to start leaking and eventually stop functioning. Without the seal, the efficiency of a brake system is compromised.
When driving the car, the now swollen dust boot can disintegrate and allow water to sneak into the piston bore. Such cases often result in piston seizures. This condition affects not only the brake system but also your vehicle’s acceleration. You can fail to accelerate appropriately due to loss of power. Therefore, it is essential to avoid spraying WD40 on your brake system.
WD40 can also destroy brake pads. Using the highly corrosive product on your brakes could result in damaged brake pads. As mentioned earlier, WD40 is not a cleaner. Therefore, it will not clean the brake pads because it is mainly an oil lubricant designed to reduce friction.
You shouldn’t apply such products on the friction surface. For brake pads to function efficiently, they need friction — WD40 reduces the friction levels. Therefore, if you apply the product to your brake pads, you will need to clean them or replace them. Any presence of WD40 on brake pads will significantly compromise their integrity and ability to stop the car.
It is essential to know that the function of brake pads is standing between the brake drum and brake shoe and providing the friction needed to stop the car. When you apply WD40 on them, you wear them down significantly.
The product also erodes the friction surface, making it difficult for a speedy car to stop. Without reliable brake pads, you will have severe challenges with the brake system. Therefore, you should find other ways of fixing squeaky brakes other than WD40.
Contrary to what some drivers think, you don’t have to replace your brakes if you accidentally get WD40 on them. There are several reliable ways to clean the brakes and eliminate all the harmful effects of the product. Ensure that the brake system is cleared thoroughly for maximum efficiency.
One way you can do so is by removing the rotor disk and cleaning it with a brake cleaner or alcohol. It is vital to use the right cleaning products to avoid corroding the surface. It would help if you also cleaned any holes in the brake system to eliminate any WD40 residue.
PB Blaster on brakes
PB Blaster is a reliable product known for reimbursement for rust and corrosion. First used in 1957, the penetrating oil is ideal for several purposes in the motor industry. However, some users wonder whether PB Blaster can be used on brakes.
PB Blaster can be used on brakes. The product works much better on brake pads and brake drums than WD40. You should shoot the product through the opening between the brake drum and wheel stud to get the most out of it. After that, you should shoot it in the circular hub where rust tends to concentrate. Tap the brake drum gently with a hammer to set up the necessary vibrations. Doing so also gets rid of the rust sitting deeper in the brake drum.
Since PB Blaster is more friendly on the brake system, it can be used for a wide range of purposes. Besides, its formula is mixed well to create a versatile product that helps lubricate, clean, and get rid of rust.
Unlike WD40, PB Blaster doesn’t affect the friction levels on brake pads. This makes it a safer option for those looking to get rid of rust and dust. If some parts of your car have become rusty or frozen, you can use PB Blaster to fix the problem.
Given that PB Blaster is a penetrating oil, it can quickly work to get rid of rust and wipe off any metal products. This is a great way of removing dust and rust on your car. The method is also safe for your brake pads and rotors because it is not corrosive.
PB Blaster is made of non-evaporating lubricant and anti-corrosion chemicals. The product works long after it has been applied, preventing water from entering essential car components. It also prevents them from getting rusty in the future. Therefore, with PB Blaster, you don’t have to apply it regularly to prevent brake pads from getting rusty.
Even though PB Blaster is a popular option for drivers and mechanics, it doesn’t exclusively belong in the garage. This is because PB Blaster is also used to prevent rust in the marine, industrial, and plumbing sectors. It is vital to know that the product can cause damage when used on rubber and certain types of plastics. This is because PB is a heavy-duty lubricating and penetrating oil.
As much as PB Blaster and WD40 can both be used to prevent and remove rust on brake pads, PB Blaster offers better services in this department. This is because PB Blaster has a high-quality oil-based formula that offers superior coating on all small nooks, gaps, and crannies.
It also removes dirt and rust at the same time. On the other hand, WD40 has a water-based formula that could reduce friction on brake pads. This affects the brake system and could make the car not stop on time.
Therefore, when looking for a brake cleaning product with the best results, you should consider using PB Blaster. However, you shouldn’t use the product on rubber and some types of plastic. Doing so could affect their structural integrity and affect the brake system.
Stop squeaky brakes using brake cleaner
If you hear a squeaking or squealing when you brake, the brakes are likely to be the culprit. Finding a way to fix the problem is vital for a smooth drive. Some car owners wonder whether brake cleaners can stop squeaky brakes.
A brake cleaner is not usually effective for stopping squeaky brakes. However, you are encouraged to diagnose it before using a brake cleaner. This is because there are many causes of squeaky brakes, some of which can’t be fixed by a brake cleaner. If you are unsure of the ideal brake cleaner, you should talk to your mechanic. They will inform you of the right brake cleaners for your car.
If you are having challenges stopping squeaky brakes, you need to pinpoint what is causing the problem. As mentioned earlier, there are many causes of squeaky brakes, and knowing how to fix them is vital for your car.
Time is one of the causes of squeaky brakes. The metal on your brakes starts eroding in small increments as time passes. This makes the brakes create noise as they vibrate together. If you have used the brakes for a long time without repair or replacement, you should get them changed. This will help get rid of the squeaky brakes.
You could also hear the squeaky sounds if you just installed new brakes. Installing new brakes will create some squeaky sounds as the vehicle adjusts to them. In that case, you should do both because the sound will disappear on its own. However, if the squeaky sound persists, it could be due to the wrong installation.
Besides, dirt and debris could cause squeaky brakes. The presence of dust in the brake system causes the little pieces to rub against the metal and cause vibrations that result in squeaky sounds. In that case, you will need to clean the brakes with a brake cleaner. Ensure that you use the right type of brake cleaner for the best results.
Summary
It can be very frustrating driving around with squeaky and squealing brakes. While WD40 helps eliminate these sounds, it is not recommended to use it on brakes. This is because the product reduces friction in places it is needed. WD40 can also damage essential parts of the brake system because it is corrosive. Therefore, you shouldn’t use the product on your brakes.
Unlike WD40, PB Blaster can be used on brakes. This is because it works better on brake drums and brake pads than WD40. The fact that it is not corrosive makes it ideal for brakes.
