RE: [ST] Front Brake tweak......

["Nathan Maher" <nate@xxxxxxxxxx>]

John,

I take issue w/ this statement, " Dirt and brake dust cannot prevent the
pistons from moving OUT because that part of
the piston is clean and protected inside the caliper."  All I know is when I
cleaned my brakes earlier this season 2 out of the 4 calipers on both sides
were not moving AT ALL.  After some diligent cleaning w/ brake cleaner
(spray, soak, push lever see if piston travels, repeat as needed) I finally
got all 4 moving again and it made a huge difference in the lever travel and
feel.  Now after a couple thousand miles the lever is starting to feel
crappy again.  My guess is that the pistons are starting to get dirty and
jamming again.

Think about it this way: pressure is applied to the brake lever which causes
the pistons to push out, thereby exposing part on the piston to brake dust,
road grime, crapola and the like.  Lever is released the pistons retract
sucking said crapola back into the cavity.  After a while junk adheres the
piston or clogs the recess and reduces the effectiveness of the brakes.
That's my theory anyway.

Keep the rubber side down,

Nate
00SprintRS


- -----Original Message-----
From: colt4530@xxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Wednesday, September 01, 2004 12:00 PM
To: ST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: [ST] Front Brake tweak......

I did it when I had my front tire replaced.

The cleaner spray was not part of the solution, really.  I did it so I
wouldn't risk pushing dirt through the seal into the caliper.  Dirt and
brake dust cannot prevent the pistons from moving OUT because that part of
the piston is clean and protected inside the caliper.



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