alexanderfoti Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Hi allMy front brakes are binding. I changed the pads (as they were very low) and replaced the fluid but this did not help.I pushed the pistons in using a c clamp with plastic cups, replaced the brake fluid, and the calipers are still binding!I am thinking a bit of dirt or grime is stuck between the brake seals, meaning I need to change them.Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Sounds to me like they need a strip down remove the reals clean behind them clean pistons and put them back together Unless they are on slides and they are sticking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexanderfoti Posted February 20, 2012 Author Share Posted February 20, 2012 Cheers, I have greased the slides already, so we can rule that out. Should I replace the seals when I clean the pistons? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 If they aren't leaking why bother? If you can wait till you get them out give them a check over if they look good put them back in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexanderfoti Posted February 20, 2012 Author Share Posted February 20, 2012 Great! Thanks very much, I will give this a go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megawatt Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 What you originally said is right. NEVER push pistons in without cleaning them first!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tango Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Personally if I were stripping the callipers to clean them I'd put new seals in.....and I'd clean and polish them....and replace all the screws with nice shiney ones.......but then I'm a bit OCD anyway..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexanderfoti Posted February 20, 2012 Author Share Posted February 20, 2012 Hm I would normally, the thing that bugs me is the bike is only 2 years old! (10k miles!) bit of a pain that they are playing up already! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megawatt Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 They are not playing up mate. Pistons bind when they are not kept clean! They are easily ignored , but they cause problems without regular maintenance. If you remove pads occasionally, clean pistons, grease with red rubber grease, push back in and refit pads , you should be OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tango Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 But if you ride in all weathers that salt and crud can really b*gger the brakes up. Strangely lack of use can also be more harmfull than regular use. And binding callipers can cause the disk to overheat and warp it..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megawatt Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Good point Bob, but a better reason for regular maintenance. After a salt run, I always rinse the calipers off with plenty of water. The first sign of binding and I "exercise " the pistons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexanderfoti Posted February 20, 2012 Author Share Posted February 20, 2012 Hmm I should be more regular with my cleaning sessions... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tango Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Definitely Alan...... it's brakes that often get overlooked when doing maintenance unless it's a pad change. Worth taking an old toothbrush to the exposed parts of the pistons every now and then.....just to stop the build-up of crud and corrosion as well as keeping the guide pins clean and slightly greased (copper Grease obviously....and the merest smear too) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megawatt Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Good advice Bob. More brakes get fooked up by fitting new pads and lack of cleaning than ignoring em completely!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 I had a similar problem when I first got my bike,one of the pistons wasn't seated squarely. I also use emery cloth on pad retaining slider/pins ,they can get little grooves forming from wear and tear. Sound advice with the cleaning,red grease and copperslip though.I do mine every other month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tankbag Posted May 24, 2012 Share Posted May 24, 2012 Hmm I should be more regular with my cleaning sessions... I'm guilty as charged with this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexanderfoti Posted May 24, 2012 Author Share Posted May 24, 2012 I did end up removing the pistons, cleaning the seal grooves, fitting new seals and thoroughly cleaning the pistons, they were caked in corrosion! bloody salt on the roads, only 2 years old as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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