Question

a brake inspection reveals a leaking wheel cylinder that has soaked the brake shoes with brake fluid. the shoes are virtually new, and the drums are in excellent condition. technician a says to clean the brake assembly with an aqueous brake cleaner, then thoroughly clean the shoes with a brake cleaning solvent. technician b says thoroughly clean the brake assembly, then install new brake shoes. who is correct?

Answer 1

Technician B's recommendation to replace brake shoes contaminated with brake fluid is correct, as brake fluid can compromise the friction material of the shoe, leading to reduced braking efficiency.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to the correct procedure following the discovery of a leaking wheel cylinder that has contaminated virtually new brake shoes with brake fluid.

Within this context, Technician B is correct. It is standard procedure to replace brake shoes once they have been soaked with brake fluid, as the fluid can compromise the friction material of the shoe and lead to a decrease in braking efficiency.

Cleaning the shoes may appear to mitigate the issue, but it cannot guarantee the restoration of the shoe's original performance characteristics.

In contrast, Technician A's suggestion to clean the brake assembly with an aqueous brake cleaner and then clean the shoes with a brake cleaning solvent is not considered appropriate due to the risk of reduced braking performance and potential safety concerns.