Cleaning Calipers

[Spanner Man]

Afternoon all.

I came across Never-Seez in the early eighties when us dispatch riders were trying to prevent our brakes seizing up. It differs considerably from normal copperslip, as it's somewhat thicker in consistency, & is a right old cocktail of things including Aluminium & Copper, & it has a melting point around 1100 degrees centigrade.
I certainly wouldn't recommend using ordinary copperslip on caliper pistons, as most cheaper varieties are much more oily, & there is the possibility of the seals swelling if an excess of oil comes into contact with them.

I have found that applying Never-seez to the pistons on top of the rubber lube prevents the rubber lube from being washed away, & also provides another layer of protection when it comes to preventing water entering the caliper & getting behind the seals.

My mates XJ900 dispatch bike retired after 8 years & 215k miles. I had regularly cleaned & lubed the calipers 'my way'. It had never needed a caliper overhaul & the wheels still spun freely. There have also been countless others that I have serviced over many years...I rest my case M'lud!

Cheers.

[jambo]

Originally Posted by Spanner Man

It differs considerably from normal copperslip

I certainly wouldn't recommend using ordinary copperslip on caliper pistons, as most cheaper varieties are much more oily, & there is the possibility of the seals swelling if an excess of oil comes into contact with them.

I rest my case M'lud!

Cheers.

Thanks for the clarification, your initial post did not make it clear to me you were using anything other than normal copperslip, which I wouldn't be reccomending. This stuff I've not met, so can't comment on. But you seem to have had no issues which is good to know.

All the best

Jambo.

Originally Posted by Spanner Man

I first scrape out the excess corrosion with a 90 degree pick, after softening it with brake cleaner. I then use a Dremel with the little stainless steel chimney sweeps brush attached.
I give the new seals a good all over coat of rubber lube before installing them.
Then I give the pistons a good polish with 1200 wet & dry & silicone lubricant, & wash them thoroughly with brake cleaner.
I then smear a little rubber lube around the closed end of the piston before pushing them (squarely) into the caliper.

When the piston is halfway in, I apply a thin coating of high temperature copperslip, before pushing the piston home.

Exactly the same method that I was taught how to service a caliper.

[squirrel_hunter]

Ok so summing up its fine to scrape the recess if other cleaning products don't work.

But can I just check, the red caliper grease should be applied all over both the piston seal and the dust seal? Also I was always told that a little brake fluid should also be applied to the recess IIRC, if this is correct, though not previously mentioned should this be used in conjunction with the grease or is the grease best on its own?

[Spanner Man]

Morning all.

Yes it's fine to scrape the seal recesses, providing you don't get carried away. If you don't have a Dremel, get yourself a small brass brush of the type used for cleaning spark plugs, or indeed the type used for cleaning suede shoes. Being brass, & somewhat softer than the alloy the caliper is made from it'll remove the corrosion without scratching the alloy.

Brake fluid should only be used as a lubricant if you have no rubber lube, there's no need for both, & yes, apply a thin layer of it all over the seal & the piston.

Jambo you're right to question my use of 'copperslip' on caliper pistons. It is somewhat contrary to accepted practise, which is how most people who have been taught bike maintenance are instructed.
All the tricks of the trade I use I have discovered & refined over the last 30+ years. I know this method works.

Finally when cleaning caliper pistons in situ, a looped cable tie makes an excellent cleaning device as it's serrated on the inside. A short length of parcel banding can be used also. This is particularly useful on multi piston calipers where the clearance between the piston & the caliper body is too small for a cable tie. I also urge you guys to get hold of some silicone lubricant. 3 in 1 do an excellent variant which is available from Halfords & some B&Q stores. It has a multitude of uses, & is particularly good at softening the grime that builds up on caliper pistons. It's also very effective on cables, bodywork grommets, & under the rubbers on gearlever linkages.

Cheers.