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!
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!

........

[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,they are outWigram.

[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