When I redid the front calipers, I took air blew out the pistons, cleaned everything, and the service manual said ( DO NOT USE DOT 5 BRAKE FLUID FOR LUBRICATION. WILL CAUSE SPONGY LEVER)

It said use ge versilube # g322
Lube nose radius and outside of piston
inside of caliper piston bores
inside diameter of seals and wipers

The dealer did not have the lube so I used this.





This product states you can lube, slides, bushings, pistons, pins, rubber seals and sleaves.
You can also use it on the back of the pad for a noise reducer.

Front brakes done.



Doing the back. Went to dealer for new seal kit. $ 15.00
Got the kit and walked back to 2 mechanics in back and asked them what they use to lube the pistons.

They told me DONT use the lube that comes in the Harley pack of seals.
Use Brake Fluid to lube the parts


Who do you believe? The service manual? The service mechanics?
Or do I use what I used on front brakes?

Will the stuff I use contaminate the brake fluid? If so I wonder why the bottle says it can be used on pistons and rubber parts.

The spongy brake is what I am trying to fix

Opinions please



Straightleg

 

Whenever I do brakes, whether it be a car or motorcycle, I always use whatever brake fluid the system uses to lube the internal parts.

 

Ditto, no new chemicals no contamination.

 

Ditto, many years, but WTF do I know.

 

I may be having a halucination, but when I did mine on my '05, I think I used silicone spray, as per the service manual. like I said, I may be wrong, but that foggily comes back to me for some reason. Don't have a manual here at work or I would check.

 

I use dot 5 in my 06 and do not have a spongy brake lever. Sounds to me that you had air trapped in the caliper

 

Lube the piston seals with the brake fluid you will be using in the system only!

 

I am going to take your guys advise and that is also what the mechanics said. Use the brake fluid to lube the pistons
Why in the heck would the service manual in bold letters say

Do not use dot 5 brake fluid to lubricate.

I just dont get it.



Straightleg

 

You'll be fine with that. I use that silicone dielectric grease that is used for plug wires and such. The seals love it,and most high end brake fluid is silicone based nowdays so its compatible.

 

My service manual says to use DOT 4 brake fluid not DOT 5. Maybe that's your problem.