Can Grease Be Cleaned Off Of A Brake Magnet And Brake Assembly?

Updated 05/13/2026 | Published 05/11/2026

Question:

I think I watched too many YouTube videos I pump 14 oz of Grease into my easy grease axles and it got on the magnets none got on the shoes because I didnt drive it anywhere can the grease be cleaned off of these magnets with brake cleaner and still properly work they were brand new magnets the whole new brake assembly that I purchased from e-trailer and did I actually Blow Out The Seal or did I just keep manually pumping too much grease

asked by: Darryl

Spindle with grease
(click to enlarge)

Hub with blown seal
(click to enlarge)

Expert Reply:

Hey Darryl, thanks for reaching out. Yeah, you definitely got a little carried away on the grease, and you’re not the first one to do it after watching a few videos. 14 oz is way too much, and what happens is exactly what you saw, it pushes past the inner seal and ends up in the brake assembly. Those EZ Lube spindles will take grease, but they only need a little bit, and they’re not meant to be filled like that. Slow pumps while rotating the hub and stopping as soon as you see fresh grease is the move, not running a whole tube through it.

The magnets themselves are fine, they’re just electromagnets, so clean them up with brake cleaner and they’ll still work like they should. The real concern is the brake shoes. If grease gets into that friction pad material, they’re done, no saving them. Even if they look clean on the surface, once it soaks in, they won’t grab right and you’ll fight braking issues. At that point, it’s honestly best to replace the whole brake assembly and be done with it.

Did you notice any grease on the brake shoes?

expert reply by: Jesse M

Darryl

5/12/2026

There was very little on the shoes I sprayed a rag with brake cleaner and scrub them three or four times and then I blowed it all off dry with the air hose I hope it will be okay my anxiety went through the roof I'm going to try this one after cleaning if I have any issues I guess I will order another brake assembly cross your fingers should I leave the new hubs as they are or try to put a little bit of more grease and the grease fitting at the end of the axle and if so how many pumps do you think while rotating please reply

Jameson C.

5/12/2026

@Darryl you'll probably need to take a torch to the shoes and drum where grease was.

Darryl

5/13/2026

@JamesonC can I use a heat gun on the high setting and if so how long should I leave it on there what am I trying to do burn off the grease before it glazes over there was very little on the shoes

Darryl

5/13/2026

@JamesonC how do I know if the seal is damaged should I replace the seal on the grease seal on the Hub

See All (5) Replies to Darryl ∨

Darryl

5/12/2026

I cleaned what little bit got on the pads are cleaned it off my next concern is the rear seal do you think I damaged it or just pushed too much so much in there that it pressed on through the rubber should I replace the seal thank you

Jesse M.

5/13/2026

@Darryl Honestly, I'd plan on replacing the seals. Once they've been pushed past their limit like that you can't really trust it to hold properly anymore. At this point, I’d clean everything up, install new seals, and reassemble it the right way. That way you know you’re starting fresh, and you won’t end up with grease back in the brakes after a few miles.