How to remove grease from brake shoes

[Tom from Drippin']

I can't take credit for this. MAG told me how.
Several months ago, I noticed grease running down one of my rear wheels. When I removed the drum and found the entire brake assembly covered with grease. The hub seal had leaked.
After complete disassembly, cleaning and installing a new seal, I needed to clean the break shoes. They showed almost no wear, and I really didn't want to buy new. I talked to MAG (He's in the Austin club) and I did what he suggested.
I cleaned the shoes first with Stoddard Solvent. Then filled my steel oil drain pan with water, put the shoes in it, and put it on my BBQ pit. Brought the water to a boil and boiled the shoes for 10 minutes or so. All the oil/grease came off the shoes and floated to the top. Then I CAREFULLY poured the top water/oil slick off and retrieved my clean shoes. If you don't pour the slick off, it will recoat the shoes as you lift them through the slick.
I'm sure some of you knew of this tip, but there are probably many that may not.

 

[richsfords]

Maybe old school Before chemicals, but I have uses a small butane torch and a shop rag, very slowly with the drum off, take the torch, pass it over the brake shoe lining, letting it warm up wipe it with clean rag, repeat over again till the shoe is clean. Just warm up the lining so the grease will be pick up by the rag. worked for me several times.

 

[ed thibodeau]

The simplest way is to dump some alcohol on them and light it, "woof" oil is gone.

 

[Mitch//pa]

Brake kleen and 80 grit sandpaper