'How to' change the calliper seals

[northwind]

There's some other stuff you can use, some high-temp grease is safe for the rubber used in the seals... But I always use red rubber grease as it's simple that way. It makes a huge difference, I just had my calipers off for something else and though they're covered in a winter's road cack, it's all on the grease not getting stuck in the seals or plastering the pistons. I wouldn't say it's neccesary exactly, but it's labour saving in the long run, and cash saving too if it saves a set of seals.

[flymo]

Too right, I'm just prepping a K3 for racing this year and a set of seals runs at about £70 for all calipers. ouch.

I know you can buy aftermarket replacement seals but never seem to last as long.

Can I also just add. As has been said about the red grease and the reasons for using it. The majority of the time when servicing the callipers, the seals only get damaged when taking them out. This is because the seals have been encrusted in the grooves as explained by Lozzo.

I have serviced my callipers over a dozen times and have never changed the seals. This I believe is because I use the red rubber grease to protect them.

If your seals are not to damaged I was told to bung them in hot water to get them back to shape and clean them up, so you can use them again...

Originally Posted by Grinch

If your seals are not to damaged I was told to bung them in hot water to get them back to shape and clean them up, so you can use them again...

I do this.

Thanks for all your help - I've ordered the seals and the red grease. Roll on the weekend.
I already know the pins aren't seized (which makes a change as I've drilled more rusted up allen bolts out of the SV then I have out of my 1969 MG!)- I gave the brakes a bit of a clean last weekend in order to still use the bike this week .

[Viney]

Originally Posted by Grinch

If your seals are not to damaged I was told to bung them in hot water to get them back to shape and clean them up, so you can use them again...

That only goes for the dust seal and yes it was me that told you.

[Viney]

Originally Posted by thedonal

Excellent stuff Viney- this will really help me when I do my calipers over the weekend, put my new pads on and new hoses.

I assume for draining the old fluid, I can just attach a tube to the bleed nipple and then open the reservoir to let it run out? It's my first time messing with brakes, see.

I get the feeling my pad pins will be well seized- what's the best stuff for un-seizing them? I don't fancy drilling the calipers.

Incidentally, I got some red rubber grease from MGOC at this address-

http://www.mgocaccessories.co.uk/aca...rease_176.html

About ?8.20 for delivery- first class delivery. The 500ml tub will last you forever...!

You can pump the fluid out using a tube yes, but the best way is once your pistons are nearly out, then just undo the banjo bolt and it will drain out.

Originally Posted by Viney

That only goes for the dust seal and yes it was me that told you.

I do it for both dust and fluid seal.

[flymo]

top tip, if you end up buying the Suzuki seals from a dealer then you only need to order 1 seal kit per caliper, not per caliper piston as the parts fiche implies. Saves you £30 or so.

Mike