Brake seals-do they need soaking beforehand?

[mills94]

Hi all,

Just a quick question as I'm giving the calipers an overhaul tomorrow with a friend and I've been told I should soak the new caliper seals in brake fluid to make them seal properly from the off. Just want to know is this correct or will they go in ok straight away.

secondly. after 11 years on the original hoses and what I presume on the original pads. will the braided HEL lines and new HH EBC pads make a significant difference as my front brakes have always been spongey since I had it a year ago.

[Bibio]

no DONT USE BRAKE FLUID rub them with red rubber grease. brake fluid crystallises behind the seals and causes the recesses in the calliper to furr up which is the main cause of the brakes seizing in the first place.

pads are personal choice and depends on your riding style. hoses are a good idea.

[mills94]

ok thanks very much for your help

[Nutsinatin]

Just put the same lines and pads on at the weekend, didn't notice much of an improvement in braking, but got a lot more feel from the lever as well as a shorter travel distance.

[yorkie_chris]

and I've been told I should soak the new caliper seals in brake fluid to make them seal properly from the off.

Absolute rubbish!

[mills94]

Thanks for all the input everybody, they are now fitted and I have to admit I'm pretty pleased that I've managed to do them myself! I took the word of Bibio and used the red rubber grease that came in the kit. I'm going for a spin shortly to bed the pads in and make sure they are ok but initially the lever feel does feel better and has less travel so we'll see how it goes. still have the rear one to do but am going to wait for some help with that one.

[wideguy]

I love the EBC HH pads. Once you get them bedded, they will stop you very quickly, but they are also very linear. If you don't use them hard for a while, they may start to feel wooden. Don't worry, just use them hard and they will come right back!

[mills94]

thats good, i fitted them a few days ago and took them for a short 15mile ride, i know its going to take a bit longer to bed in but they feel sharp enough, I cable tied the lever overnight and am hoping the lever will keep its sharpness as it went to about half pull which is what it was on old lines. fingers crossed it will be better next time i take it out!

[Bibio]

cable tying the leaver does nowt but gas up the bubbles. if you suspect air in the system then bleed it out.

let me explain a bit more. the braking system is hydraulic and works by forcing pressure via the plunger in the master cylinder this make the pressure one way with no way for the fluid to escape. so by tying the leaver back to expel bubbles where are the bubbles going to go?

answer, nowhere they will still stay in the system.

wait till the pads have bedded in completely (about 200 miles) then and only then see how the brakes are. if sponginess is still felt at the leaver (can pull leaver to bar or almost with moderate squeezing) then do another bleed otherwise leave it alone.

you are never going to get on/off switch type brakes with the SV callipers/MC.

[yorkie_chris]

The cable tie on the lever trick allows the pistons to creep out a bit if the seals are pulling them back. It does nowt permanent (IMO) and nothing on properly serviced calipers.

If there is air inside... bleed it out.

[wideguy]

I swapped new calipers and brake lines onto my SV650, let it sit overnight on the sidestand with the bars to the left and a reservoir full of fluid, and all the air migrated up and out on it's own.
Of course the new brake lines eliminated the distribution block at the halfway point...

[yorkie_chris]

One of the many advantages of the naked over the S model :)

[Wideboy]

anyone got a tip for getting the new seal in? i seem to struggle with my stumpy fingers

[Jason H]

anyone got a tip for getting the new seal in? i seem to struggle with my stumpy fingers

Yes, just take your time. Also I found a wooden skewer helped (used the blunt end to assist with putting them in and the sharp end for removing the old ones...)