Brake caliper

Delboy777

Delboy777

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I'm out in the shed fannying about and I noticed some fluid on my front wheel, so I take a look and it would seem the nearside brake caliper has a leak !! Bloody thing has done bugger all really but it looks like im going to have to strip down the caliper and fit new seals. Do Motorworks do seal kits ?? Has anyone had this happen before I wonder.:blast
 
Are you sure? Squeeze brake as hard as you can and see if you can see a leak and the lever will go back all the way. Are you low on fluid? JJH
 
Check that you don't have a leaking brake hose washer. Ali ones can corrode.
 
Hopefully it's the washer. Also check the hose banjo on top of the front swing arm.

Seal kits come with new pistons at about £60 a caliper. TBH both should be done at the same time. I stripped mine recently one of the pistons was below par but took the risk and so far it's fine. Next time I may just fit a pair of low mileage callipers.
 
I couldn't see exactly where the leak was but hoses were dry and the bottom of the caliper was damp with fluid. I will need to get the torch out and have a proper look. Tried the brake and held it on and it stayed where it was didn't head for the bar.

Just took a right look and can see nothing, looks like i will have to take it apart and have a look properly. Hoses fine, banjo fine, ally washer fine, so methinks it must be piston seals.
 
Bungy the brake lever on overnight and check in the morning.
 
Not meaning to be abrasive but not sure how tying the brake lever back can help this one.
It's a great way to release the last few air bubbles but will surely increase any fluid leak.
Then again perhaps the leak will become more obvious.


Sent somehow.
 
Bendy toy said:
Not meaning to be abrasive but not sure how tying the brake lever back can help this one.
It's a great way to release the last few air bubbles but will surely increase any fluid leak.
Then again perhaps the leak will become more obvious.


Sent somehow.
Click to expand...
I think that is Steptoes reasoning Bendy. I've had a look and I know the bottom of the caliper was damp with fluid and there was a small amount pooled in the front wheel rim, because of the way it was parked up. Now the bike hasn't moved in about 4 months and there was in all honesty less than half a teaspoon of fluid, but there shouldn't have been any.If there is a leak which there must be id like to find out where its coming from and maybe this method will bring it to light. Caliper removal is going to happen today so I can have a look see, and give the brakes a good service and fluid change while im at it.
 
I had to strip my LH calliper a few weeks ago. New pads were needed and I couldn't get two pistons to push back. The pads had not worn unevenly.
Compressed air from a tyre stirrup pump shifted the free pistons but the others needed the hydraulics to shift.
Both pistons were below par but I tried them anyway and so far it's been ok.
It's a job I'd put off. Thankfully the seals were not damaged so cleaned and rebuilt.


Sent somehow.
 
Well I took Steptoes advice and bungy'd up the brake lever and left it all day. Came back and it was still where it was when I left it. No fluid leak as far as I can tell. Maybe just by activating the lever it has re sealed it I don't know, but im going to take it apart tomorrow and have a look. I didn't have time today what with one thing and another.
 
Delboy777 said:
Well I took Steptoes advice and bungy'd up the brake lever and left it all day. Came back and it was still where it was when I left it. No fluid leak as far as I can tell. Maybe just by activating the lever it has re sealed it I don't know, but im going to take it apart tomorrow and have a look. I didn't have time today what with one thing and another.
Click to expand...

If it isn't broke..... JJH
 
If the pads are wearing evenly and the brakes can pop your eyes out of your head there's probably nothing to worry about.


Sent somehow.
 
Are you sure it isnt just an accumulation of salt and fluid from the road surface around your brake pads that has collected at the bottom of the caliper ?
 
Pukmeister said:
Are you sure it isnt just an accumulation of salt and fluid from the road surface around your brake pads that has collected at the bottom of the caliper ?
Click to expand...

The bike hasnt moved out of the shed since august time last year what with one thing and another so im doubting its that. It was brake fluid but im blowed if i know where it came from. However i will clean everything up and and take a closer look tomorrow. Bendy pads are wearing evenly and brakes were spot on when bike was laid up.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
This is gonna sound weird, but applying pressure to hydraulics can sometimes increase the seal effectiveness, i would suggest purchase some 'rubber grease' strip calipers down & providing there's no obvious damage to seal of piston clean everything up, coat with grease & reassemble.
The alloy sometimes 'sweats' & needs a good clean out.

The Red rubber grease is available on eBay & used to come with seal kits.

Good luck
 
snaponphil said:
This is gonna sound weird, but applying pressure to hydraulics can sometimes increase the seal effectiveness, i would suggest purchase some 'rubber grease' strip calipers down & providing there's no obvious damage to seal of piston clean everything up, coat with grease & reassemble.
The alloy sometimes 'sweats' & needs a good clean out.

The Red rubber grease is available on eBay & used to come with seal kits.

Good luck
Click to expand...

Cheers for that, thats the reason i "bungy'd" up the brake lever knowing it might expose the problem or re seal the offending piston. Im off out soon to tackle the job and im going to change the fluid while im at it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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