Contaminated pads/discs?

[TheAllCreator]

I was recently servicing my forks, and at some point I must have gotten oil on my brake rotor. The performance has dropped to about 5 percent of what it used to be, and there is a slight groan at low speeds. I've cleaned my disc with methylated spirits, but that didn't do much, so I tried taking out the pads and resurfaceing them, and cleaning the disc again. Still no better. Will I need to buy new pads or a new disc, or can I perform some DIY servicing and return my brakes to their former glory? I'm running Deore XT's on 2pc 8inch rotors.

[007]

Definitely search the brake forums as there are several methods (the frying pan comes to mind).

I can't say if you'll need new pads or not, but you definitely don't need a new rotor just because you got stuff on them. Just use 90% ISO Alcohol on the rotors. As for the pads . . . I'm of the opinion to just buy new ones when they get contaminated . . . just make sure you lightly sand the rotors perpendicular to the brake track and bed them in properly if you get new ones.

[TheAllCreator]

Ok, thanks. Any idea on the grain you should use for the rotors?

[thomllama]

everything 007 said!!

[007]

Ok, thanks. Any idea on the grain you should use for the rotors?

Any medium (150) grit will do. You just want to remove the old pad material and create a new surface to bed the pads.