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General Category => Maintenance => Topic started by: Tapartacus on May 07, 2012, 02:14:38 AM

Title: Front brake calliper o-rings
Post by: Tapartacus on May 07, 2012, 02:14:38 AM
Hello everyone I'm going to attempt to rebuild my 92 fj front brake callipers. Bought the rebuild kit from RPM. When I referred to my Clymer manual it says to split the calliper to remove the pistons. Well thats all fine and dandy but it also says to replace the o-rings that seal the halves together. anyone know where I can purchase these o-rings? Looked on RPM but can't find them. If I'm going to go through all the trouble of rebuilding the calliper shouldn't I be sure to replace those as well? Do I have to split the calliper to remove the pistons in the first place?
Cheers
Andrew
Title: Re: Front brake calliper o-rings
Post by: fj11.5 on May 07, 2012, 03:09:25 AM
should just be able to blow the pistons out with compressed air, no need to split the calipers as all you need to replace are the piston seals
Title: Re: Front brake calliper o-rings
Post by: ribbert on May 07, 2012, 05:04:09 AM
Quote from: Tapartacus on May 07, 2012, 02:14:38 AM
Hello everyone I'm going to attempt to rebuild my 92 fj front brake callipers. Bought the rebuild kit from RPM. When I referred to my Clymer manual it says to split the calliper to remove the pistons. Well thats all fine and dandy but it also says to replace the o-rings that seal the halves together. anyone know where I can purchase these o-rings? Looked on RPM but can't find them. If I'm going to go through all the trouble of rebuilding the calliper shouldn't I be sure to replace those as well? Do I have to split the calliper to remove the pistons in the first place?
Cheers
Andrew

Take the caliper (once it's split) to your local "bearing service shop" and they will fix you up with O rings.
Yes, split the caliper before removing the pistons.  They may not come easily and there are a number of methods mentioned on the forum for getting them out if you need help.  Pipe wrenches and multi-grips are not among them.

Noel
Title: Re: Front brake calliper o-rings
Post by: ribbert on May 07, 2012, 05:37:06 AM
Just so you're not confused,  FJ11.5 is right about not needing to split the caliper, but having gone that far, I have a preference for dismantling things for thorough cleaning.  And, if you do decide to remove the pistons with compressed air ( the best method ) with the caliper split, be sure to put a heavy rag over the piston to save your eye, teeth, having it land in another postcode or the risk of "bruising" the piston when it bounces off the wall.
Noel
Title: Re: Front brake calliper o-rings
Post by: racerrad8 on May 07, 2012, 07:29:02 PM
FYI, I have just went through the part diagrams and that center o-ring is not a "service" item which means it is not available form Yamaha.

I will break down some early model calipers to get some measurements, but I would need someone with a late model to give me their measurements so I can source an o-ring.

Randy - RPM
Title: Re: Front brake calliper o-rings
Post by: AustinFJ on May 07, 2012, 08:28:48 PM
If those o-rings aren't leaking, don't split the calipers.  :dash2: Why invite trouble??? :bomb:   Once Randy gets those in stock, you can go for it.  But until then, you can do all you need without splitting the calipers.   :praising:   
Title: Re: Front brake calliper o-rings
Post by: Dan Filetti on May 07, 2012, 08:34:47 PM
I never split the calipers, never saw a need to.

My $0.02

Dan
Title: Re: Front brake calliper o-rings
Post by: SlowOldGuy on May 07, 2012, 10:35:25 PM
In the early model calipers, they are actually o-rings.  The later years used a square cross-section seal, like the caliper piston seals.

DavidR.
Title: Re: Front brake calliper o-rings
Post by: ally on May 08, 2012, 06:15:05 AM
whilst we are on the subject and not totally useful andrew (sorry), there is a guy over here in the UK who had some rear calliper (same as early fronts?) seals made as he couldn't purchase any

he flogs them very cheaply on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370602585225#ht_3700wt_1283 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370602585225#ht_3700wt_1283)

may help someone......

:)

see also:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sumitomo-brake-caliper-joint-seal-10-5-x2mm-Yamaha-V-Max-FJ-FJR-1100-1200-others-/150693304848#ht_3709wt_1067 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sumitomo-brake-caliper-joint-seal-10-5-x2mm-Yamaha-V-Max-FJ-FJR-1100-1200-others-/150693304848#ht_3709wt_1067)

they do a lot of individual hard to get items, may be worth an email

if they don't want to ship to the US happy to forward.....
Title: Re: Front brake calliper o-rings
Post by: Tapartacus on May 08, 2012, 06:49:39 AM
Thanks everyone. I'll try without splitting first. Let you all know how it goes. Thanks ally for the link if I run into trouble I'll give em a try. Thanks again for the great input. Love this forum!
Cheers
Andrew
Title: Re: Front brake calliper o-rings
Post by: Tapartacus on May 08, 2012, 06:53:48 AM
Also thanks Noel for the warning, I'll wear a helmet. :P
Title: Re: Front brake calliper o-rings
Post by: Tapartacus on May 14, 2012, 06:02:31 AM
Well unfortunatly I had to split the calipers couldn't get the pistons out any other way. All went well but when I took the seals out they left what looks like some rubber residue in the groves. Any suggestions on how to remove this residue. I cleaned it the best I could with brake fluid and a toothpick (brake fluid is what the manuals says to use) but still some there. I hesitate to use solvent or kerosene as I'm afraid I may damage or pit the caliper. Can I use brake cleaner or better yet gasket remover?

Cheers
Andrew
Title: Re: Front brake calliper o-rings
Post by: ribbert on May 14, 2012, 10:04:30 AM
Quote from: Tapartacus on May 14, 2012, 06:02:31 AM
Well unfortunatly I had to split the calipers couldn't get the pistons out any other way. All went well but when I took the seals out they left what looks like some rubber residue in the groves. Any suggestions on how to remove this residue. I cleaned it the best I could with brake fluid and a toothpick (brake fluid is what the manuals says to use) but still some there. I hesitate to use solvent or kerosene as I'm afraid I may damage or pit the caliper. Can I use brake cleaner or better yet gasket remover?

Cheers
Andrew

Yep, kero, gasket remover etc. will be fine, if you can dip your finger in it without the flesh melting off it won't hurt the caliper.
Just make sure that whatever you use is completely washed off when your finished.
Noel
Title: Re: Front brake calliper o-rings
Post by: andyb on May 14, 2012, 10:46:01 AM
Ultrasonic cleaner, carb cleaner, patience...

If you know you're replacing the rubber, removing it shouldn't be too hard.
Title: Re: Front brake calliper o-rings
Post by: Tapartacus on May 20, 2012, 01:38:30 PM
hi all. Well brakes are all put together no leaks. New pads, bled system and good pressure on brake lever. Here's the thing, when I apply brakes when riding I get a pulsing sensation and it's quite dramatic. I'm thinking warped rotors? Any ideas? If so anyone know of some reasonably priced after market rotors?
Cheers
Andrew
Title: Re: Front brake calliper o-rings
Post by: hein on May 20, 2012, 05:45:47 PM
Hi Andrew.

    Pulsing at the lever usually indicates warped rotors as you suspect. If warped rotors are the culprit try the E-Bay Chinese wave rotors available from a multitude of vendors. I purchsed a set last spring for $216.00 cad., this included shipping, and after about 8,000 km.  I can't complain about them.
     You didn't mention if you had the problem before rebuilding the calipers so I would at least confirm that the rotors are warped before replacing them.

Hein.
Title: Re: Front brake calliper o-rings
Post by: Tapartacus on May 21, 2012, 03:43:40 AM
Thanks hein, there was pulsing before the caliper rebuild. I have also read that sometimes the forks can get pinched out of alignment if the front wheel is not replace properly resulting in the brakes rubbing and general front end chatter. Is this possible to do on the fj? Looks like the spacers between the forks and the wheel would prevent this.
Andrew