Recently I put Carbotech pads on my Protege for a quick-and-dirty track outing. I chose the AX6 compound up front and Bobcat for the rear, the former (previously called Panther Plus) having performed flawlessly on my Stealth at the track while retaining good street characteristics. In the process of changing pads I replaced a seized caliper and all four rotors. No sooner had I bedded the new pads in and started driving to work did I notice my brake pedal would occasionally go to the floor. After a little cautious driving and a refill of the half-empty brake reservoir, I determined that the new rear caliper was leaking A LOT from the piston seal. Score one for rebuilt calipers from Autozone! There was brake fluid EVERYWHERE. Having the caliper replaced under warranty was a no-brainer, but how does one salvage pads that are saturated in DOT 4 brake fluid?

The answer should have been obvious, but knowing how particular they are about bedding procedures I called Carbotech to be sure. Janine took my call and was so gracious as to take my number, call the tech who had just left, Chris, on his cell phone, and call me back with the answer within a couple minutes:

Apparently it is perfectly acceptable to clean brake fluid off an oil-soaked pad surface with — would you have guessed it — brake parts cleaner. Over a pint of brake fluid on my disc, caliper, pads, and wheel well was visually intimidating; those parts just aren’t supposed to be lubricated. For that reason I fully expected to hear “oh, you’ll have to replace those pads”. Guess not.