Piston caliper lube ??
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,186
Likes: 2,135
From: W. Texas
Piston caliper lube ??
Got the rear caliper piston in yesterday. Still a bit busy at shop to work on it. There are some instructions in the package thought I` d read them. In the instructions it says DO NOT use dot 5 fluid to assemble the caliper. Use only the piston lube supplied. I`m sure there are reasons for this. If someone has the time I`d appreciate being enlightened. If I hadn`t read the instructions I`d dang sure used the dot 5 brake fluid Thanks for your time folks WP
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7,736
Likes: 1,524
From: Coromandel Peninsula New Zealand
Its a special rubber grease and designed to stop the rubber O ring grabbing and twisting......brake fluid would have been fine but no doubt they want to remove the chance of someone using incompatible brake fluid to assemble the thing too.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,186
Likes: 2,135
From: W. Texas
Wanting to make sure I get this right the first time. Good lord I sounded like Mr. Goodwrench Nah I gotta ask.
If this had to go together tonight it would be with the Dot 5 Thank You Sir WP
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,468
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From: Bluffton, South Carolina
Brake fluid will work, however if you have the lube use it. It really doesn't take that much to install the seals. basically you are making sure that the seals can move and find the spot they want to run in. There is also a high temperature grease that you should use on the pins that the caliper should float on and/or the pads slide on. Hope this helps.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 359
Likes: 2
From: central Mississippi
I'm following this thread as I'm picking up a caliper and master cylinder rebuild kit tomorrow from the dealer for my wife's '89 softail. Her rear brake caliper started seizing up on the rotor last week while on the Interstate. Got so hot it turned it blue. Warped the rotor to the point it was rubbing against the caliper bracket. Replacing everything this weekend. I hope these rebuilt kits have at least some instructions. The caliper looks pretty simple. Master Cylinder looks to have a few more moving parts.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,468
Likes: 12
From: Bluffton, South Carolina
See if the dealer will copy the exploded picture out of the parts book so that you can use it for reference and/or take some pictures if you have that ability with your cell phone. Don't forget to check the wheel bearings as they can also make a brake drag.
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 359
Likes: 2
From: central Mississippi
I just put wheel bearings and dust seals on my list. Might as well replace it all while I'm in there. Bike is 22 years old. Thanks.
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Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,186
Likes: 2,135
From: W. Texas
I'm following this thread as I'm picking up a caliper and master cylinder rebuild kit tomorrow from the dealer for my wife's '89 softail. Her rear brake caliper started seizing up on the rotor last week while on the Interstate. Got so hot it turned it blue. Warped the rotor to the point it was rubbing against the caliper bracket. Replacing everything this weekend. I hope these rebuilt kits have at least some instructions. The caliper looks pretty simple. Master Cylinder looks to have a few more moving parts.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7,736
Likes: 1,524
From: Coromandel Peninsula New Zealand
When doing the M/Cyl rebuild it is essential that you clean out the feed and return holes in the bottom of the resevoir and flush the whole thing as blockages in the return can cause brake binding.