I got a 73 250 explorer, bought it from a guy about a year ago and made it my project truck to work on one of the first things I did was change the front rotors out completely and exchange the brake core and replaced everything I could shortly after I ran into some trouble with the title and ownership so I'm not currently driving the truck. But I just don't want the new brakes and rotors and everything I put in just go bad sitting there from exposure to the elements (I don't have a garage for it) what would be the best thing I could do to keep everything neat and clean so it don't rust over and ruin everything new I replaced?

 

I’m not quite sure how to stop the rust beyond the paint and coatings that come on them. Maybe WD40? It’s not good for brake performance but would cool off as soon as you actually used the brakes.

if you aren’t going to drive the truck at all I’d suggest backing the pad/shoes off of the disc/drum. The pads can “rust” to the metal and get really stuck. I had one that was so stuck it ripped the material from the brake shoes after letting my bronco sit for a few years.

 

Don't use any kind of lube on rotors. All collectors face the same problem. Best you can do is move it around and use the brakes. Humidity is the enemy, my everyday drivers in my humid and rainy weather will have a light coat of rust daily.

 

I paint my rotors, then clean any overspray off the braking surface. Any rust there will be gone before I get to town.

 

Don’t lube braking material. It will soak it up and heat up. Thisheat will cause the pads to warp and flex. Grease, wd40, tranny fluid, really anything other than brake cleaner will do this. I’m pretty sure brake fluid will also do it.

That being said, there’ll be a vast difference in the inside of the drums ability to not rust if you sprayed SOME wd40 on the inside and wiped it out with a rag. But definitely don’t soak them and install them back on dripping with the pads really tight or something.

If the trucks gonna sit for a long time brakes arent the only thing to worry about. Shocks springs and tires are really what you should be worried about. Why not put the frame on jack stands, put the tires in the bed on blocks under a tarp, double bag the rotors/axle ends. Spray the rotors and drums down first and put the drums inside.

If it’s gonna set for a long time, duck tape greatly increases the uv resistance of trash bags. One trick is to put a white one then a black one. Black one will block more uv and be tougher and when you can see the white one, replace em. Harbor freight sells super cheap tarps, but be prepared to replace it every 3 months if you get a lot of sun.


I believe there are racing oriented products out there to reduce the amount of moisture present in brake lines, maybe looking into those could give you some piece of mind about your hard lines.