RE: Brake caliper seals (was Re: [ST] Speed bleeders)

["Dan Wallander" <triumph99@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Blake, it's pretty easy.

Drain the brake fluid being careful not to get it on the paint.
Undo the banjo bolts at the calipers and loosen the brake pad retaining pins
(easier with the calipers attached to the bike)
Take the calipers off. And remove the brake pads
I used lots of brake cleaner at this point to clean off all the external
crap
Use compressed air (low pressure) to blow out the pistons one at a time
(wrap the caliper with a rag and don't put your fingers where the brake pads
were)
Use more brake cleaner to clean the piston and the opening
Remove the old seals and replace with new (use brake fluid for lube)  push
piston all the way back in evenly (don't get it cocked).
I used zip ties to hold the completed pistons in place while using
compressed air to push out the next piston.
Repeat until done.

Bleed the brakes after putting everything back together.

It takes five new crush washers for the banjo bolts
I carefully used an exacto knife to get the old seals out.
The manual says to replace the pistons if removed, but the pistons looked
like new after being cleaned, so I put them back  in.
There are two rubber seals per piston, make sure you haven't twisted them.
The seal kits are about $80.00 for the front.
Even on low pressure, the pistons come out with authority.

Hope this helps.

Dan Wallander
www.danwallander.com
Albuquerque, NM
'99 Triumph Sprint ST
'74 BMW R90/6

On Wednesday, September 24, 2003, at 07:50  PM, Dan Wallander wrote:
> I noticed in the Triumph Service Manual, that they are recommending the
> seals in the brake calipers be replaced every 2 years.  I seriously
> doubt
> that my dealer did them during my extended service warranty and I just
> replaced them myself at the end of my fifth season (47,000 miles).  It
> has
> made a world of difference.  They are like new again.

Woah, you actually did this?! I asked my local dealer about it, and
they said they've never done it before on any Triumph and couldn't even
give me a price estimate on the work. How much did the new seals cost,
and what all was involved?

It looks like you just remove the calipers and pads, pump the brake
lever to make the pistons come all the way out, and then R&R the seals.
Are there any tricks?
- --




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