So, I've just recently taken apart (most of) the driver side suspension/wheel well vicinity and I'm trying to clean up the spindle, steering knuckle, control arms, and caliper before the new parts arrive for installation, problem is I'm not sure what to use on what part. In the picture below, you can see a fat glob of nasty old grease sitting on top of the spindle and the entire steering knuckle is covered in lubricant that ran down it when I was trying to take apart the upper ball joint. So what do I use to clean it? I have degreaser, brake cleaner, and carb&choke cleaner. Where is it safe to use what? Also how do I clean the caliper?
What to use to clean suspension/wheel well area? Degreaser? Carb cleaner? Pics Attached. (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Chibu
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JunkCrzr89
Competent Ignoramoose
Brake cleaner.
I asked a similar question not too long ago, and ended up using combo of simple green, orange degreaser and brake cleaner. I did it stages with simple green first, then followed up with orange degreaser and the more stubborn stuff brake cleaner. and a brush helps agitate some of that caked on grime or some call it non-OEM sound deadening layer
- Thread starter
- #4
"non-OEM sound deadening" LOL, that's basically what it is. Well I've slapped on some degreaser everywhere and I'm just going to let it sit for some 30 mins, then go in with some soapy water, degreaser, brake cleaner and (lightly) with a brass wire brush.
It's not sound-deadener. It's rust proofing.
- Thread starter
- #6
Okay, I cleaned the whole place out, at least the spots I could get to with the brass wire brush, turned out pretty well, had to get a freaking wall scraper to scrape off some caked on dust/sand + grease mixture off the side of the lower control arm. The wheel well ceiling had the typical "non-OEM sound deadening" (LOL) on it, a hard (non-wire) brush and some soapy water with the occasional spray of degreaser made quick work of it. I then pre-greased the spindle and the exposed inner tie rod after drying them off with a lint-free microfiber cloth. Will attach pics tomorrow as it's past 7pm now. Also, is it okay to put degreaser and soapy water on the inner tie rod? I tried not to let the water or any liquid get any closer to the steering rack but just wondering if I did some horrid damage to the inner tie rod or not? I moved it around a little with my hand and it seemed quite solid. I slapped grease onto any places where I removed (a lot of) grease from that looked like they should be greased.
Simple Green Extreme/Aircraft is about the only degreaser you will need for relatively harsh jobs that don't require brake cleaner. Try it, you won't look back.
Crusty grease + dirt build up - if you have gear oil laying around (for your f/r diffs and t-case), use that with a rag or old microfiber towel. Then just rinse it with soapy water. Thank me later and you’re welcome in advance.
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- #9
Damn, nice, will try that. Just so happen to have a load of fresh gear oil sitting upstairs and a (near shredded) microfiber rag lol. We're going to buy most of the replacement parts today so would be great to have all the dirt out.
hoser
SILVER Star
Does the gear oil have some sort of cutting agent or it's simply the fact that it's some liquid that leaves a nice sheen to the metal surface? That looks brand new
Tbh I think It’s the synthetic additive they put in the gear oil that effectively cuts through grease and dirt softening them quickly. Just dab a small amount of gear oil to your rag/towel, wipe it to your desired spot to clean and it comes off easily.
Oh man you don't know what you just did. I'm gonna go ham
I could eat of that brake shield
I used to use kerosene and/or diesel before, but when I discovered gear oil, total game changer with the ease of use and overall mess post-cleaning.
Looks good. Which brand gear oil?
Mobil1, just some leftover from my last gear oil change.
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