Are caliper seals square in section, or what? - SV650.org

TamSV · 27-08-12, 11:08 PM

Having rebuilt a score of calipers over the last couple of years, for myself and others, I'm probably coming to this question a bit late.

Every manual I've looked at (and a fair few peeps on internet forums) say the main seals are wedge shaped in section and need to go in a certain way. But every seal I've actually used, OEM or pattern, have been square.

So far I've been chucking them in any old way (after convincing myself they're square) and neither me, nor anyone whose brakes I've worked on, has been involved in a fiery ball of death type incident.

I've mostly worked on Tokico calipers from various Suzuki's but a couple of Nissin calipers have also been through my hands. I'd swear all the seals are square. I've just spent 15 minutes staring cross-eyed at a new Tokico seal. It's bloody well square.

So am I fick, blind or what? Do some calipers differ? Has the design of seals changed at some point? Are people on the internets talking sagely about a job they've never actually done?

Answers from trustworthy sources are requested, because if it turns out I'm wrong I've got some brakes to check before the afore-mentioned fiery ball of death occurs.

squirrel_hunter · 27-08-12, 11:14 PM

That is an interesting question.

I do check seals to see if they have a taper before I install them. But off the top of my head I can only remember encountering one set of OEM seals that were. However I can't remember what bike that was from...

yorkie_chris · 28-08-12, 07:57 AM

The manuals are full of sh*t, they're mostly square except for some odd ones. I think MZ may have been wedged.

28-08-12, 08:43 AM

Didn't know there where anything else than square seals. I've yet to service the old brembo, AP and nissin 2 pots I have(I think I have 10 front and 5 rear calips laying about) wonder what I'll find there?

jambo · 28-08-12, 09:00 AM

As above.
I suspect the same diagrams have been doing the rounds for some time, being ported across to the next manual as they are generally accurate. I'm certain that there are tapered seals, but they're not from any of the bikes I've worked on.

Jambo

NTECUK · 28-08-12, 09:11 AM

All our (Nissan) car ones are square.
Reff EBC brake artical
" it is worth remembering that pad retraction in any caliper is totally reliant on seal 'pull-back'. Caliper seals are essentially square in cross section"

Sid Squid · 28-08-12, 11:58 AM

On occasion I have encountered a seal that isn't square in section - but it's been quite obvious, no squinting needed to discern so.

Viney · 28-08-12, 12:44 PM

Mine are round. Hth

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TamSV · 28-08-12, 04:23 PM

Thanks for the reassurance. I rebuilt another org'ers calipers at the weekend and obviously I would hate for something bad to happen to him.....he still owes me beers.

I had been looking at another forum where a couple of people I would normally listen to said the seals on the RGV were tapered, which made me wonder, as the OEM set I've got in the garage for that very bike looked extremely square to me.

I suspect some people are staring at these seals until they begin to imagine a taper.

muzikill · 28-08-12, 07:05 PM

I used a set of jewellers loupes to double check mine during my caliper rebuild and they were fine either way.

27-08-12, 11:08 PM	#1
TamSV Member Mega Poster Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Troon, Ayrshire Posts: 1,812	Are caliper seals square in section, or what? Having rebuilt a score of calipers over the last couple of years, for myself and others, I'm probably coming to this question a bit late. Every manual I've looked at (and a fair few peeps on internet forums) say the main seals are wedge shaped in section and need to go in a certain way. But every seal I've actually used, OEM or pattern, have been square. So far I've been chucking them in any old way (after convincing myself they're square) and neither me, nor anyone whose brakes I've worked on, has been involved in a fiery ball of death type incident. I've mostly worked on Tokico calipers from various Suzuki's but a couple of Nissin calipers have also been through my hands. I'd swear all the seals are square. I've just spent 15 minutes staring cross-eyed at a new Tokico seal. It's bloody well square. So am I fick, blind or what? Do some calipers differ? Has the design of seals changed at some point? Are people on the internets talking sagely about a job they've never actually done? Answers from trustworthy sources are requested, because if it turns out I'm wrong I've got some brakes to check before the afore-mentioned fiery ball of death occurs.

27-08-12, 11:14 PM	#2
squirrel_hunter Member Mega Poster Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Sunny Swindon Posts: 3,572	Re: Are caliper seals square in section, or what? That is an interesting question. I do check seals to see if they have a taper before I install them. But off the top of my head I can only remember encountering one set of OEM seals that were. However I can't remember what bike that was from... __________________ "A little enthusiastic?" May I add here, GG is awesome and I think I am in love with Stretchie...he rocks my world! SH2 \| 2MA \| GROM \| YSR

28-08-12, 07:57 AM	#3
yorkie_chris Noisy Git Mega Poster Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Halifax/Leeds Posts: 26,645	Re: Are caliper seals square in section, or what? The manuals are full of sh*t, they're mostly square except for some odd ones. I think MZ may have been wedged. __________________ Currently Ex Biker Now rebuilding a 63' fishing trawler as a dive boat

28-08-12, 08:43 AM	#4
speedyandypandy Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Are caliper seals square in section, or what? Didn't know there where anything else than square seals. I've yet to service the old brembo, AP and nissin 2 pots I have(I think I have 10 front and 5 rear calips laying about) wonder what I'll find there?

28-08-12, 09:00 AM	#5
jambo Member Mega Poster Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Croydonia Posts: 5,376	Re: Are caliper seals square in section, or what? As above. I suspect the same diagrams have been doing the rounds for some time, being ported across to the next manual as they are generally accurate. I'm certain that there are tapered seals, but they're not from any of the bikes I've worked on. Jambo __________________ Modern motorcycles are bloody brilliant, enjoy it while we can

28-08-12, 09:11 AM	#6
NTECUK Member Mega Poster Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: essex Posts: 5,314	Re: Are caliper seals square in section, or what? All our (Nissan) car ones are square. Reff EBC brake artical " it is worth remembering that pad retraction in any caliper is totally reliant on seal 'pull-back'. Caliper seals are essentially square in cross section" __________________ Raisin cookies that look like chocolate chip cookies are the reason I have trust issues. Last edited by NTECUK; 28-08-12 at 12:04 PM.

28-08-12, 11:58 AM	#7
Sid Squid No, I don't lend tools. Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Skunk Works, Nth London Posts: 8,680	Re: Are caliper seals square in section, or what? On occasion I have encountered a seal that isn't square in section - but it's been quite obvious, no squinting needed to discern so. __________________ If an SV650 has a flat tyre in the forest and no-one is there to blow it up, how long will it be 'til someone posts that the reg/rec is duff and the world will end unless a CBR unit is fitted? A little bit of knowledge = a dangerous thing. "a deathless anthem of nuclear-strength romantic angst"

28-08-12, 12:44 PM	#8
Viney Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: In the shadows to the left Posts: 7,700	Mine are round. Hth ------- Sent from my Sony Xperia S using Tapatalk2

28-08-12, 04:23 PM	#9
TamSV Member Mega Poster Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Troon, Ayrshire Posts: 1,812	Re: Are caliper seals square in section, or what? Thanks for the reassurance. I rebuilt another org'ers calipers at the weekend and obviously I would hate for something bad to happen to him.....he still owes me beers. I had been looking at another forum where a couple of people I would normally listen to said the seals on the RGV were tapered, which made me wonder, as the OEM set I've got in the garage for that very bike looked extremely square to me. I suspect some people are staring at these seals until they begin to imagine a taper.

28-08-12, 07:05 PM	#10
muzikill Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dunfermline Posts: 1,712	I used a set of jewellers loupes to double check mine during my caliper rebuild and they were fine either way. __________________ Learn to maintain your bike, take it apart, rebuild the engine & more (using better bolts ), drop it & fix it again! K3 Job c.v: Engine:remove/split/rebuild/refit. Replace:Gearbox,Fuel pump,Gaskets. Piston clean,rings. Overhaul:Throttle body,Injectors,Brakes,Forks. Remove/refit:Exhaust,Radiator,Oil cooler,Throttle,Air filter,Tank. Replace: Oil,Coolant,grease,brake hoses & bleed.

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