Brake piston seals - 99 ZX-6R

[phoenixgtr]

The seals in my brakes are shot and my pads are constantly rubbing on the discs. A while ago I talked to the Kawasaki shop about getting news seals and they told me they’re about $13 each!! Now my beast (99 ZX-6R) has 6 pot callipers, which means 12 dust seals and 12 fluid seals to replace. That’s about $300!! Needless to say I’ve just been ignoring the problem for a while, but I’ve decided I should probably do something about it.

My question is: Can you get aftermarket seals or something that’s a bit cheaper than $13 each?

[Racey Rider]

Brake fluid resistant O rings.



....... Callipers were pulled apart and brake pistons cleaned up with sandpaper. The seals were price at $118. PARDON ME!? Yes $118 for 8 little pieces of brake rubber seal stuff from Kawasaki! GET OUTA HERE! :bash:
So off I trot to the brake seals shop. “ No, they’re too small. We can’t get anything that small.” Luckily one guy suggested to try Brake fluid resistant O rings. So the local Gasket/seals shop measures and orders some for me.
‘How much Mate”? $4.80
PARDON ME? $4.80. Now That I can handle.
So far they’re working fine. Through some new pads in the front. All good! :yes:

........

[phoenixgtr]

Wow!! $4.80!! Thanks

[mossy1200]

Wow!! $4.80!! Thanks
I spent $256 for my fzr seals(OUCH).
My symptems were pads not returning off discs.
Although it was better it still wasnt fixed.
Please watch this promo on discs as mine were tilting do to expansion onto rivits.This causes the pistons to come in on angles and prevent retraction.
its very hard to measure to find the fault untill disc is off and sitting on sheet of glass or similar flat surface.Mine gave me no shudering while on bike but very bad binding.The reason i missed the fault while measuring on bike was that one had tilted in and the other outwards so measuring across from each other they measured perfect.

http://www.ebcbrakes.com/motorcycle_brake/sdrive.shtml

[JMemonic]

On that note try Seal Imports (http://sealimports.co.nz/contacts.htm),they are outWigram (http://yellow.co.nz/whitepages/Sockburn/Seal-Imports-Ltd/102217723_BUS.html).

[phoenixgtr]

Thanks Brent, will do.

Cheers Mossy. I never thought of that. If I can get the seals pretty cheap I'll try that first.

[lukemillar]

Bear in mind that seals don't always need replacing. I have found the usually a caliper strip down and clean and reinstalling the seals with red rubber grease gets the pistons sliding again. Obviously you can make a call once you have split the calipers as to the condition of the seals, but with 6-pot brakes i.e 12 seals per caliper, I'd be checking them first! ;)

[phoenixgtr]

Yeah I've stripped them down and cleaned them thoroughly. Unfortunately, I didn't know until afterwards that brake cleaner can actually expand the rubber seals making things worse. Of course I cleaned the seals with brake cleaner didn't I. So I had sparkly clean brakes but they weren't any better. I couldn't understand it at the time...

[lukemillar]

Yeah I've stripped them down and cleaned them thoroughly. Unfortunately, I didn't know until afterwards that brake cleaner can actually expand the rubber seals making things worse. Of course I cleaned the seals with brake cleaner didn't I. So I had sparkly clean brakes but they weren't any better. I couldn't understand it at the time...

Definitely get some red rubber grease. One tub wil last you a lifetime and it is the only stuff for greasing calipers seals.

EDIT: If I'm telling how to suck eggs - just ingore me!

[phoenixgtr]

While we're on the subject of brakes I hear it's a good idea to replace the metal washers at each end of the brake lines if you've had the lines off. Where could I get some suitable washers for that?

(Basically I'm trying to get my brakes to "as good as new")

[imdying]

What OD are the pistons? Have heaps of copper washers if you need some.

[lukemillar]

While we're on the subject of brakes I hear it's a good idea to replace the metal washers at each end of the brake lines if you've had the lines off. Where could I get some suitable washers for that?

(Basically I'm trying to get my brakes to "as good as new")

Yep - they are copper crush washers. In theory they should be replaced but they don't deform that much. I got shedload from HEL about a year ago. PM me an address and I'll chuck a load in the post.

[Katman]

Whoever suggested using O rings should think again.

The distorting of the square cross section of the proper seals is what helps pull the pistons out of contact with the discs when the lever pressure is released.

[mossy1200]

Whoever suggested using O rings should think again.

The distorting of the square cross section of the proper seals is what helps pull the pistons out of contact with the discs when the lever pressure is released.
i agree .It the roll back effect of the square edged seal that returns the piston off the discs giving the pads its prone position.

[phoenixgtr]

What OD are the pistons? Have heaps of copper washers if you need some.

I haven't actually pulled them apart yet cause I'm taking the bike out on the track next Saturday so I don't want to dissassemble them for fear of not getting them back together in time but I'll have a go on them after that.

Some washers would be awesome thanks. Luke, it's probably easier if I get them off imdying. Thanks though.

By the way, where would I get some red rubber grease from? They didn't have any at Repco

[lukemillar]

By the way, where would I get some red rubber grease from? They didn't have any at Repco

If you find out, can you let me know as well!? I'm 99% sure you could get this in Repco and Super Cheap in Australia( I'm not Aussie BTW ;) ), yet I have just been to both in Wellington and they had no idea what I was on about!

It's made by Castrol and also know as Girling

EDIT: Also found this:
http://www.parts4bikes.co.nz/parts/1429/Greases.html

[Katman]

By the way, where would I get some red rubber grease from? They didn't have any at Repco

Just go along to your nearest motorcycle workshop and ask nicely. If they don't give you a cap full of rubber grease (which will probably last you a lifetime) name their tight arses on here.

:msn-wink:

[Owl]

By the way, where would I get some red rubber grease from? They didn't have any at Repco

You could follow Katman's advice or try http://www.bntnz.co.nz/a_to_z.htm

Does it really have to be red?

[erik]

You could follow Katman's advice or try http://www.bntnz.co.nz/a_to_z.htm

Does it really have to be red?
I got some of that pbr rubber grease from supercheap auto, I think.

[Owl]

I got some of that pbr rubber grease from supercheap auto, I think.

Good stuff, cheers! I wasn't aware of that.

[lukemillar]

You could follow Katman's advice or try http://www.bntnz.co.nz/a_to_z.htm

Does it really have to be red?

Dunno. I have always known it as "red rubber grease" like a brand name. Nit sure whether the redness is important or not!

I just ordered a tub for $29 through the local bike shop for 500grms which will last forever.

Best idea is to see if you can ponce some from you local bike workshop as someone said ^^ as you really don't need loads.

[imdying]

I haven't actually pulled them apart yet cause I'm taking the bike out on the track next Saturday so I don't want to dissassemble them for fear of not getting them back together in time but I'll have a go on them after that.

Some washers would be awesome thanks. Luke, it's probably easier if I get them off imdying. Thanks though.

By the way, where would I get some red rubber grease from? They didn't have any at RepcoYou might get lucky on the piston seals and be able to find something, but can't say without the piston OD, no hurry though.


Bring the cap off a spray can or something, I'll fill it with rubber grease whilst I'm at it.

Castrol make the named product 'Red Rubber Grease' iirc. I'll look on the tin, I think our part number is/was CR500. PBR rubber grease works fine too. My personal favourite is the Seiken spray lube. It's pricey, but typically for Japanese products, works really well.

[phoenixgtr]

What OD are the pistons? Have heaps of copper washers if you need some.

So the OD of the pistons is 27.5mm.

What's the story with o rings? Are they a bad idea? I can see the point but I'm not paying $300 for genuine seals. Should I just get some rubber grease on the old seals and see what happens or is there another option with a square edge?

P.S. I'd love some washers mate

[mossy1200]

I haven't actually pulled them apart yet cause I'm taking the bike out on the track next Saturday so I don't want to dissassemble them for fear of not getting them back together in time but I'll have a go on them after that.

Some washers would be awesome thanks. Luke, it's probably easier if I get them off imdying. Thanks though.

By the way, where would I get some red rubber grease from? They didn't have any at Repco
No to orings as they need to be square edged to distort then retract.
Here is a link to seal kit for 5 pistons.
You need to measure the piston size before ordering.
20 pounds get 5 pistons worth of seals.If you have 6 pistons you need to get two sets or for 4 pistons just one.Includes dust seals and main seals .
$50 nzd plus post at todays exchange rate approx.

http://motorcycleproducts.co.uk/catalogue/brake-caliper-piston-seals-27mm-p-4094.html

Contact them as they have no list for 27.5 first though

[imdying]

So the OD of the pistons is 27.5mm.

What's the story with o rings? Are they a bad idea? I can see the point but I'm not paying $300 for genuine seals. Should I just get some rubber grease on the old seals and see what happens or is there another option with a square edge?

P.S. I'd love some washers mateNo, orings won't work. Bring the old seals in and we'll have a look at them. Plenty of washers, no trouble there.

[phoenixgtr]

Great! Where can I find you mate?

P.S. It won't be tomorrow. Maybe Thurs

[vagrant]

Wemoto in the UK are pretty sharp with the pricing. I have bought a couple of overhaul kits from them. Way cheaper than the local dealer, and faster than ex japan stuff.
http://shop.wemoto.com/pictures.dyn?u=5835497qqq3087732

Keep an eye on their Ebay page too, every now and then they do a stock clearance. Good time to grab a couple of seal and gasket kits. (Full RC30 engine set cost me $127NZ landed, dealer price over $500)

[bekker]

Supercheap sell this

http://www.permatex.com/products/Automotive/lubricants/specialty_lubricants/auto_Permatex_Ultra_Disc_Brake_Caliper_Lube_1.htm

The 5 gram is only one or two $$$ and you really don't need much for lubing the pistons and seals.

I've used it, works well.