Front calipers: no dust seals

I have been a lurker on this site for a while so first the intro. Born again biker commuting to Huddersfield on my red pointy everyday, including the recent cold weather. Bought the pointy in the summer from a main dealer in Rochdale and was assured it had been serviced, including new front pads. The service book had been stamped. However, have come to strip down the calipers this week and discovered there are no dust seals, thought it was more of a job than I remembered. Thought I would ask the opinion of the more experienced on here about whether I should take this up with the dealer concerned, although it is six months on.. Is it reasonable for me to assume they should have picked this up, and would it be fair for me to ask many more detailed questions?

[Dave20046]

Originally Posted by tubbycyclist

I have been a lurker on this site for a while so first the intro. Born again biker commuting to Huddersfield on my red pointy everyday, including the recent cold weather. Bought the pointy in the summer from a main dealer in Rochdale and was assured it had been serviced, including new front pads. The service book had been stamped. However, have come to strip down the calipers this week and discovered there are no dust seals, thought it was more of a job than I remembered. Thought I would ask the opinion of the more experienced on here about whether I should take this up with the dealer concerned, although it is six months on.. Is it reasonable for me to assume they should have picked this up, and would it be fair for me to ask many more detailed questions?

If it was supposed to have had a full service (it won't actually have) they should have picked this up. complain and see what they say.

Why would the dust seals be covered by a service? If the callipers were working correctly at the time of the service they would simply have checked the pad wear and changed if required.

I am quite sure the actual callipers themselves are not covered by any service.

6 months on i dont think you got much of a leg to stand on. dealers are protected to high heaven anyway.

[Dave20046]

Originally Posted by BigApe

Why would the dust seals be covered by a service? If the callipers were working correctly at the time of the service they would simply have checked the pad wear and changed if required.

I am quite sure the actual callipers themselves are not covered by any service.

Sorry after looking at the service manual you can't actually see if the dust seals are there without removing the pistons can you? In which case no they wouldn't be covered by the service. But I'd still ring and complain - try and get something for nothing.

[rictus01]

A caliper strip is outside the normal service schedule, apart from checking the function and pad life anything else would be a specified job,they'll only do what's in the book. I expect the previous owned rather than doing a proper job just removed them.

I'd want to check the condition of the pistons and replace all the seals anyway, don't forget red rubber grease on the seals and if the shims are missing from the pad backs a little copper grease* there when re-fitting.


* keep it off the friction material

Cheers Mark.

[northwind]

I would say personally that whether they should have known about it or not is beside the point- the bike should have them, and even though it's not their fault and they couldn't reasonably have known about it (the only time you notice dust seals is when they're ****ed) I'd say it's still their responsibility.

Originally Posted by northwind

I would say personally that whether they should have known about it or not is beside the point- the bike should have them, and even though it's not their fault and they couldn't reasonably have known about it (the only time you notice dust seals is when they're ****ed) I'd say it's still their responsibility.

+ 1

[rowdy]

+2
Did they sell the bike with warranty?
I'd definately be on the phone as they have sold you the bike with incomplete brakes, and brakes are the most important part on any vehicle.

Thanks for the thoughts - I will talk it throught with the dealer in the New Year. In the meantime waiting for it rise above -3 outside before I brave anymore maintenance. Brrrr.