Is This OK on Brake Seals?

Hi.

Many of you know about the Silicon Grease maplin sell in tubes that is a good way of preventing water ingress of the front spark plug of the SV:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...grease&doy=5m3

I was wondering if this would be safe on brake seals. I know pure Silicon Grease is OK but I don't know if this stuff contains anything that will effect the rubber.

I cleaned up the front pads and calipers at the weekend, something I do twice a year. This time the pistons had rust on them. I cleaned it off with wire wool, but some visible pits were left behind, although only just visible. I thought it might be useful to pump the pistons two thirds of the way out and give them a light smear of this stuff and then push them back in to try and stop future rust.

Has anybody used this stuff on brake seals?

Tim.

[flymo]

Originally Posted by I'm_a_Newbie

Hi.

Many of you know about the Silicon Grease maplin sell in tubes that is a good way of preventing water ingress of the front spark plug of the SV:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...grease&doy=5m3

I was wondering if this would be safe on brake seals. I know pure Silicon Grease is OK but I don't know if this stuff contains anything that will effect the rubber.

I cleaned up the front pads and calipers at the weekend, something I do twice a year. This time the pistons had rust on them. I cleaned it off with wire wool, but some visible pits were left behind, although only just visible. I thought it might be useful to pump the pistons two thirds of the way out and give them a light smear of this stuff and then push them back in to try and stop future rust.

Has anybody used this stuff on brake seals?

Tim.

Best thing to use is Castrol Red Rubber Grease. Its specifically designed to lubricate hydraulic systems and will not contaminate brake fluid either.

Can get it from the MG Owners Club website.

Originally Posted by I'm_a_Newbie

Hi.

Many of you know about the Silicon Grease maplin sell in tubes that is a good way of preventing water ingress of the front spark plug of the SV:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...grease&doy=5m3

I was wondering if this would be safe on brake seals. I know pure Silicon Grease is OK but I don't know if this stuff contains anything that will effect the rubber.

I cleaned up the front pads and calipers at the weekend, something I do twice a year. This time the pistons had rust on them. I cleaned it off with wire wool, but some visible pits were left behind, although only just visible. I thought it might be useful to pump the pistons two thirds of the way out and give them a light smear of this stuff and then push them back in to try and stop future rust.

Has anybody used this stuff on brake seals?

Tim.

I've used it many times over the years to help keep water getting between the piston and the alloy body of the caliper. Theres probably some electrolytic action between the different metals when water gets in, it was more of a problem on the older jap bikes.
The stuff suggested by Flymo racer sounds even better.

Originally Posted by flymo_racer

Best thing to use is Castrol Red Rubber Grease. Its specifically designed to lubricate hydraulic systems and will not contaminate brake fluid either.

Can get it from the MG Owners Club website.

The problem with this stuff is it does not offer long term protection. It dries when exposed to air and won't prevent corrosion of the piston surfaces I am after. It is fine for assembly to protect the seal but that is it.

This is where silicon lube is better as it offers longer protection. However if it does not specifically state it is safe for use on brake seals then it is best not to use it.

Tim

I use red rubber grease when servicing the brakes. When I come to service them again after winter I pump the pistons out and there's still a ring of grease protecting the groove / seal area, it's not gone all dry and hard. I guess it could do given enough time but you wouldn't want to leave your brakes that long anyway.

For me the main thing is to keep the crap out of the outer seal groove because it causes a build up of white powdery aluminium oxide that pushes the outer seal out of its groove, leading to it being pinched in the gap between the piston and bore as the piston moves out. This is what I found to be a frequent cause of sticky brakes. I use the Maplin stuff on the plug cap but I dunno how heat resistant the stuff is. Personally I woudn't chance it anywhere near the brakes.

Cheers Keith

Originally Posted by Well Oiled

For me the main thing is to keep the crap out of the outer seal groove

I know what you mean. That is one reason why I service them at least twice a year. This time around the brakes had got really snatchy and you could hear cracking noises from the pads/calipers as pressure it applied on the lever. This is a sure sign they are overdue for a service.

My main problem is to prevent rust formation on the exposed piston surface so I won't have to replace the pistons.

I was looking at the cost of pistons and seals the other day. £22.20 per piston!!!

I came across a shop selling official Brembo 4 pot service kits with all pistons and seals for £32, equates to £8 per piston, so why so expensive for the SV?

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by Well Oiled

For me the main thing is to keep the crap out of the outer seal groove because it causes a build up of white powdery aluminium oxide that pushes the outer seal out of its groove, leading to it being pinched in the gap between the piston and bore as the piston moves out. This is what I found to be a frequent cause of sticky brakes.

+1 Seen this loads

Originally Posted by I'm_a_Newbie

I know what you mean. That is one reason why I service them at least twice a year. This time around the brakes had got really snatchy and you could hear cracking noises from the pads/calipers as pressure it applied on the lever. This is a sure sign they are overdue for a service.

My main problem is to prevent rust formation on the exposed piston surface so I won't have to replace the pistons.

I was looking at the cost of pistons and seals the other day. £22.20 per piston!!!

I came across a shop selling official Brembo 4 pot service kits with all pistons and seals for £32, equates to £8 per piston, so why so expensive for the SV?

The US is your friend! I bought new seal kits for 4 pot GSXR calipers (upgrade) and it was about 1/3 -> 1/4 of the price of the UK

Originally Posted by I'm_a_Newbie

I know what you mean. That is one reason why I service them at least twice a year. This time around the brakes had got really snatchy and you could hear cracking noises from the pads/calipers as pressure it applied on the lever. This is a sure sign they are overdue for a service.

My main problem is to prevent rust formation on the exposed piston surface so I won't have to replace the pistons.

I was looking at the cost of pistons and seals the other day. £22.20 per piston!!!

I came across a shop selling official Brembo 4 pot service kits with all pistons and seals for £32, equates to £8 per piston, so why so expensive for the SV?

The US is your friend! I bought new seal kits for 4 pot GSXR calipers (upgrade) and it was about 1/3 -> 1/4 of the price of the UK

Originally Posted by I'm_a_Newbie

I know what you mean. That is one reason why I service them at least twice a year. This time around the brakes had got really snatchy and you could hear cracking noises from the pads/calipers as pressure it applied on the lever. This is a sure sign they are overdue for a service.

My main problem is to prevent rust formation on the exposed piston surface so I won't have to replace the pistons.

I was looking at the cost of pistons and seals the other day. £22.20 per piston!!!

I came across a shop selling official Brembo 4 pot service kits with all pistons and seals for £32, equates to £8 per piston, so why so expensive for the SV?

The US is your friend! I bought new seal kits for 4 pot GSXR calipers (upgrade) and it was about 1/3 -> 1/4 of the price of the UK