Date: 28-03-24  Time: 20:33 pm

Author Topic: Brake Caliper Pistons  (Read 31039 times)

anutz

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Brake Caliper Pistons
« on: 01 May 2015, 08:34:38 pm »
I have been trying to clean my calliper pistons....

I don't know if I need to be concerned about the amount of light rust/gunk on some of them...

The brakes have always worked but there has been a binding issue ( slight ) since I got the bike ( 20,000 miles 2001 years, 5 owners...)

Have got some stuff off them, and have used a razor to carefully tease off some rust, but I cannot rotate them and I have read I should be able to...do not know if that's the case...




sinto

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Re: Brake Caliper Pistons
« Reply #1 on: 01 May 2015, 08:43:28 pm »
Yes they should be able to turn as the are just cylinders in a tube but some rust may be on the actual calipers as there's some on the pistons in your pic.
What I'd do?
Clamp the brake pipe to stop fluid getting through, someone once told me a wee trick is to open the reservoir at the handlebars so it reduces pressure to, then I'd strip the whole caliper down completely, and using wet and dry, but really wet, sandpaper lightly go over all the pistons and the internal chambers, reassemble and that should give you the result you want.
I know you'll just love doing it now your not scared of your bike anymore, plus you'll also do the front ones after you do the rear lol
Oh meant to say, remember and dry them off before reassembly, some will say smear something on them to help slide, but personally I've only put very fine oil on a wee bit to help them slide in, nothing too heavy.
« Last Edit: 01 May 2015, 08:48:16 pm by sinto »
Colin
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fazersharp

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Re: Brake Caliper Pistons
« Reply #2 on: 01 May 2015, 08:52:39 pm »
Theres something very wrong with the skin on your hand, are you a replicant android
I don't do rain or threat there of. dry rider only with no shame.

anutz

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Re: Brake Caliper Pistons
« Reply #3 on: 01 May 2015, 08:57:31 pm »
I have been stuck on earth for a while - my space ships cylinder head needed putting back on after I snapped the heat exchangers studs :)

bandit

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Re: Brake Caliper Pistons
« Reply #4 on: 01 May 2015, 09:09:18 pm »
If those pistons are pitted I would replace them & new seals, lube the new seals with a smear of clean brake fluid before fitting new pistons.

anutz

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Re: Brake Caliper Pistons
« Reply #5 on: 01 May 2015, 09:26:11 pm »
I don't think they are pitted, just a build up of dust in places, I will try carefully remove it with my razor, but might have to do as advised above and take them out to get the properly clean with wet and dry - have some 2500 left over from the cylinder head polish I did so that should do I think - also some 1500 if needed....

main concern is looking at the prices of pistons, at least the seal kits are not a lot....but then it they stop me its worth every penny....

riedrider

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Re: Brake Caliper Pistons
« Reply #6 on: 01 May 2015, 09:28:27 pm »
Quote
and the internal chambers,

This is sometihng I would not do. Because the internal chambers are black anodized which gives protection against corrosion and wear.
Some month ago I rebuilt a set of calipers to upgrade the front brake of my TDM850.
After disassembly I cleand the pistons first very carefully with a triangular scraper and then with a polish. Afterwards they looked like new.
But they had been in a better condition as those in the picture above.
The caliper housings I cleaned in an ultrasonic bath.



On the next picture you can see anodized surface of the bores for the pistons and the guide areas for the brake pads.
If the surface in the bores is damaged I would look for a replacement.



For use in the TDM I had to change the colour scheme a little bit  :lol



Regards

Guenter
Guenter

anutz

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Re: Brake Caliper Pistons
« Reply #7 on: 01 May 2015, 09:33:05 pm »
ok im going to do the simple ( relatively speaking....) thing first - pop the pistons and seals out and clean the pistons...

As for the internal chambers I will post a picture on here of their condition and consider what to do if they need attention....

the manual says use an air gun to get the pistons out, how do people with out an air gun get them out?

ultrasonic baths, not got one of them.... :'(


sinto

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Re: Brake Caliper Pistons
« Reply #8 on: 01 May 2015, 09:36:28 pm »
They don't look pitted, you should get away with a good clean I think :-)
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sinto

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Re: Brake Caliper Pistons
« Reply #9 on: 01 May 2015, 09:41:13 pm »
Quote
and the internal chambers,

This is sometihng I would not do. Because the internal chambers are black anodized which gives protection against corrosion and wear.


Regards

Guenter

Fair play Guenter, I've not stripped the fazer brakes so didn't know about the coating in the chambers, good shout mate.
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fazersharp

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Re: Brake Caliper Pistons
« Reply #10 on: 01 May 2015, 09:41:33 pm »
Anyone ever use red rubber grease around the seals
I don't do rain or threat there of. dry rider only with no shame.

anutz

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Re: Brake Caliper Pistons
« Reply #11 on: 01 May 2015, 09:44:50 pm »
Had never head of it till you mentioned it ....

http://redrubbergrease.com/

Might have to buy a tub off this from some where....sounds like it is useful....

sinto

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Re: Brake Caliper Pistons
« Reply #12 on: 01 May 2015, 09:47:30 pm »
Guy on this forum sells copper and another type of grease, think it is that stuff, go into the for sale section and have a look
Colin
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anutz

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Re: Brake Caliper Pistons
« Reply #13 on: 01 May 2015, 09:49:16 pm »
it does look good - has anyone actually used it as fazer# asked?

I read it is tricky to get the seals back in without some form of lubricant....

I have grease and copper grease but no red rubber grease....yet....

bandit

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Re: Brake Caliper Pistons
« Reply #14 on: 01 May 2015, 10:00:36 pm »
Only use brake fluid on assembly that's all you should need, I have used red rubber grease on seals around pistons after they are assembled don't use any other grease & definitely not copper grease this will destroy the rubber, copper grease thinly on the backing face of the brake pads only.   

sinto

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Re: Brake Caliper Pistons
« Reply #15 on: 01 May 2015, 10:03:17 pm »


I read it is tricky to get the seals back in without some form of lubricant....


Don't you normally need some kind of lubricant to get it back in?
Ask the wife :rollin :rollin
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riedrider

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Re: Brake Caliper Pistons
« Reply #16 on: 01 May 2015, 10:11:01 pm »
I always use ATE brake caliper grease for caliper and master cylinder rebuilts.
The Red Rubber Grease looks a little bit like the grease that comes with the Tourmax caliper sealing kits.
The Tourmax stuff has a little bit lighter colour.

Regards
Gunter
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Re: Brake Caliper Pistons
« Reply #17 on: 01 May 2015, 10:13:43 pm »
Yep, I assemble the pistons with rubber grease every time, it makes life easier, and prevents the seals from 'grabbing' the piston as they dry out.
This 'grabbing' makes the piston retract further than normal, and needing you to pump the lever. A bit like having air in the system but a bit more dangerous.
Had this on two bikes so far, a calipers piston clean up with red rubber grease has solved it.
Stop polishing it and ride the bloody thing!!

fazersharp

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Re: Brake Caliper Pistons
« Reply #18 on: 01 May 2015, 10:14:36 pm »
I brought a tub of the stuff when I serviced and fitted HELL lines to mine and now I have the rest of the tub castrol red rubber grease which should last me until I am 568 years old
I don't do rain or threat there of. dry rider only with no shame.

sinto

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Re: Brake Caliper Pistons
« Reply #19 on: 01 May 2015, 10:38:23 pm »



Love the look of the red spots, where did you get them? Are they the same size as the fzs?
Colin
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bandit

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Re: Brake Caliper Pistons
« Reply #20 on: 01 May 2015, 10:42:54 pm »
As you've removed calliper already make sure bleed nipple is done up get one of these (red plastic one)http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ball-Football-Needle-Adaptor-Valve-Inflator-Rugby-Vollybal-Adapter-Bike-Car-Pump-/271854882909?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3f4bd0505d 

Now this is the tricky bit & painful if you trap your fingers between the pistons, try to remove only one or two pistons at a time on one side of the calliper, the pistons must be held in except the one/ones you want to remove (not with your fingers you've been warned) now using the above type adaptor on a foot pump place the adaptor into the hole where the brake hose was attached & operate the pump this should push the piston or pistons out with a bang, don't be tempted to pull it out.
With them out clean bores remove & fit new seals apply smear of brake fluid to lips of seals & refit pistons squarely into bore push them right in then repeat sequence on the other pistons until all replaced.     

sinto

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Re: Brake Caliper Pistons
« Reply #21 on: 01 May 2015, 10:48:26 pm »
That's a fantastic hint there bandit, simple but absolutely brilliant :-D
Colin
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anutz

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Re: Brake Caliper Pistons
« Reply #22 on: 01 May 2015, 10:51:25 pm »
thanks guys for the input - will be off to find a footie pump adapter in the morning then set to work on both front callipers....

One last question and I take it this is a must - I MUST replace the seals...yes?

no re-use here...

riedrider

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Re: Brake Caliper Pistons
« Reply #23 on: 01 May 2015, 10:52:31 pm »
Quote
Love the look of the red spots, where did you get them? Are they the same size as the fzs?

Here from a wider view:



FZS600, FZS1000, early R6, early R1, XJR1300, TDM900 and BT1100 have all the same type of calipers.
Yamaha does not allow to disassemble the caliper housings even if somtimes tools are offered for that.
So I did not change the spots I just painted the calipers with black and red caliper colour from Foliatec  ;)



Regards

Guenter
« Last Edit: 02 May 2015, 08:30:23 am by riedrider »
Guenter

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Re: Brake Caliper Pistons
« Reply #24 on: 01 May 2015, 11:05:08 pm »
Mine would not turn but when still connected but off the disc being careful not to pop them out completely I squeezed the leaver then gave a good clean and used some red grease and then pushed them back in by hand by hand - in out in- out and then I could turn them by hand. I then disconnected old lines to fit new so never actually took pistons out, I do remember though it was a pain to get the bleed nipple to stop weeping, I cant remember if I brought a new one i the end   
I don't do rain or threat there of. dry rider only with no shame.