Should I have the brakes cleaned during rotation

Hey everyone,
I thought I saw Scotty Kilmer recommend cleaning the brakes every so often.
I’m coming up to the 20K servicing and will have the tires rotated. Once the wheels are off, should I have my shop clean the brakes? Based on experience and the type of driving I do, I expect the original brakes to last at least 5 years.

 

I wouldn't waste your money on it.

 

Dont be that guy

 

That dood . . .


But, I do take my drums off and tap them on the floor to clean out the dust.

Note that the drums are stuck to the hub with a sticker. So, it will take some cleaning up after the first time. Save it for a thing to do at home.

 

I've never messed with the brakes once changed. Imo, anyone to suggest that has too much time on their hands.

 

I remove the brake pad retaining pins and clean the rust off of them every time I have the wheels off. If you live in the rust belt and ignore them until it's time for a brake job you will likely find them solidly rusted in place. Ask me how I know. I learned my lesson on my 1st gen. Tacoma.

 

Scotty Kilmer has too much knowledge about cars, he started to make stuff up and argue with the smarter version of himself. So.....

 

I can understand "cleaning" the drum brakes maybe every 50k or so that way you can check on the shoes and adjust them as needed. I suppose that in the rust belt I understand pulling the front brake pins to make sure they don't rust in place, maybe put some antiseize on the pins.

 

This is a dealership ploy, clean the brakes for $$$ then sending you on your way thinking you got some great servicing. The only time I clean brakes is just before I change them . As @tonered mentioned tap out the excessive dust out of the drums and before installing them again put a little neversieze between the axle hub and drum... a small amount.. you don't want it squeezing out and into the braking surface.

Now there is nothing wrong with spraying down the brakes when washing your vehicle. Or after a good day off road. Always drive it afterwards though to dry out the brakes... Don't put it away wet

 

Once in a blue moon I pull my drums clean and adjust the rears if I feel like my truck is nose diving when stopping hard but beyond that...

If it ain't broke...

And I haven't had any issues.

 

Cleaning your brakes doesn’t do what you think it does. Save your $$ , you can wait until its time for a brake service, they will be cleaned and lubed then.

 

You can also put ceramic brake lube on the back of the pads and on the retaining pins, they won't rust together then and it can reduce noise.

 

They get cleaned everytime you step on the brake pedal.

 

Hose out the muffler too.