What grease for brakes? - SV650.org

13-06-06, 03:02 PM

My brakes are sticking so I was going to take them apart and give them a good clean and put them back together, last time I did this I used copper grease as it is what the dealer I bought the bike from said they used but recently I have been told you really don't want to use copper grease for this as it will damage the pistons? Question is who is right? What ideally should I use if copper grease is no good?

13-06-06, 03:14 PM

You need red caliper greese to lubricate the pistons.

Copper grease will do the back of the pads to stop squeal but dont use on the pistons...

13-06-06, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Khewett

You need red caliper greese to lubricate the pistons.

Copper grease will do the back of the pads to stop squeal but dont use on the pistons...

Yep!

13-06-06, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scoobs

Quote:

Originally Posted by Khewett

You need red caliper greese to lubricate the pistons.

Copper grease will do the back of the pads to stop squeal but dont use on the pistons...

Yep!

That reminds me... when the front brakes where stripped there where no dust seals... Make sure you have spare bits when you service as these may need replacing.

13-06-06, 03:35 PM

What will copper grease do to the pistons?

13-06-06, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creamerybutter

What will copper grease do to the pistons?

Bugger the seal I think...

Sid Squid · 13-06-06, 03:41 PM

Nothing, the same isn't true for the seals though, which it will damage.

Red rubber grease is what you want - the most common variety is Castrol-Girling rubber grease, there are others of course.

13-06-06, 03:51 PM

Thats not so bad then

. What damage will a set of seals do to my wallet?

Sid Squid · 13-06-06, 04:09 PM

From Suzuki £25 very ~ish, something like that.

13-06-06, 07:47 PM

Use copper grease on the back of the pads and the contact patches with the caliper. Use a high melting point grease on the caliper sliders and make sure the slider seals are not split.

Use hot soap water and a stiff tooth brush to clean up the calipers or buy some brake cleaner from halfrauds.

Only do one side at a time. This way you can use the lever to push the pistons out a bit futher to give them a good clean. Never use mineral oil or grease on the pistons as the piston seals will swell up. Only use rubber grease. However unless the pistons are really manky or sticking there is no need to do this. An excess amount of grease will cause the brake dust to stick to the piston. If the pistons are sticking or are really manky you will have no option but to remove the pistons to clean them up. Before refitting them smear some brake fluid or rubber grease on the seals. Never refit the pistons when the seals are dry.

If you do remove the pistons you will have to refill with brake fluid and bleed all of the air out of the system. To do this make sure that the pistons are pushed all the way in to have the best chance of removing all of the air.

Finally remember to pump the brake lever until it is firm before riding the bike.

Hope this helps
Tim.

13-06-06, 03:02 PM	#1
creamerybutter Guest Posts: n/a	What grease for brakes? My brakes are sticking so I was going to take them apart and give them a good clean and put them back together, last time I did this I used copper grease as it is what the dealer I bought the bike from said they used but recently I have been told you really don't want to use copper grease for this as it will damage the pistons? Question is who is right? What ideally should I use if copper grease is no good?

13-06-06, 03:41 PM	#7
Sid Squid No, I don't lend tools. Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Skunk Works, Nth London Posts: 8,680	Nothing, the same isn't true for the seals though, which it will damage. Red rubber grease is what you want - the most common variety is Castrol-Girling rubber grease, there are others of course. __________________ 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"

13-06-06, 04:09 PM	#9
Sid Squid No, I don't lend tools. Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Skunk Works, Nth London Posts: 8,680	From Suzuki £25 very ~ish, something like that. __________________ 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"

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13-06-06, 03:14 PM	#2
Khewett Guest Posts: n/a	You need red caliper greese to lubricate the pistons. Copper grease will do the back of the pads to stop squeal but dont use on the pistons...

13-06-06, 03:35 PM	#5
creamerybutter Guest Posts: n/a	What will copper grease do to the pistons?

13-06-06, 03:51 PM	#8
creamerybutter Guest Posts: n/a	Thats not so bad then . What damage will a set of seals do to my wallet?

13-06-06, 07:47 PM	#10
I'm_a_Newbie Guest Posts: n/a	Use copper grease on the back of the pads and the contact patches with the caliper. Use a high melting point grease on the caliper sliders and make sure the slider seals are not split. Use hot soap water and a stiff tooth brush to clean up the calipers or buy some brake cleaner from halfrauds. Only do one side at a time. This way you can use the lever to push the pistons out a bit futher to give them a good clean. Never use mineral oil or grease on the pistons as the piston seals will swell up. Only use rubber grease. However unless the pistons are really manky or sticking there is no need to do this. An excess amount of grease will cause the brake dust to stick to the piston. If the pistons are sticking or are really manky you will have no option but to remove the pistons to clean them up. Before refitting them smear some brake fluid or rubber grease on the seals. Never refit the pistons when the seals are dry. If you do remove the pistons you will have to refill with brake fluid and bleed all of the air out of the system. To do this make sure that the pistons are pushed all the way in to have the best chance of removing all of the air. Finally remember to pump the brake lever until it is firm before riding the bike. Hope this helps Tim.