Author Topic: Brakes seized from ROAD salt, any way to prevent it? (Read 1653 times)

pichulec · « **on:** January 13, 2022, 22:11:16 »

Hi. As my bike is usually being used during the winter every year I have the same problem which is salt getting under the seals and seizing the brakes in the end. Is the anything to prevent it other that garaging bike for the winter? Answer probably will be do not use the bike but maybe someone know any magical treatment to help prevent it?

Have to rebuild them again.

UK_Vstrom650 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 13, 2022, 22:17:18 »

Regular cleaning of the brakes.

I used to hose mine down regularly, then when I had more time get the pads out and wash the pistons with hot soapy water and a soft toothbrush. Bit if a pain, but best way to keep them working in winter.

mr_diver · « **Reply #2 on:** January 14, 2022, 07:21:27 »

Same here.

I used to keep a couple of bottles of water in the garage with bottle caps from fruit shoots to spray the bike down when it was raining or salty.
I don't have power or water in my garage so this was make shift solution.
I often carried another bottle of water to work and sprayed the bike down when I got there.

I would take the calipers off the mounts, leaving the hoses connected, and using a toothbrush and some old brake fluid or brake cleaner clean up the pistons and recesses, slider pins ect. And reassemble.

Usually in oct, jan and april. I didn't fully strip the callipers down on the wee for 3 years doing this.
And the bike was a high-ish miller and used for commuting.

Steve T · « **Reply #3 on:** January 14, 2022, 07:52:17 »

Bike used every day when commuting, all year round.
Service my brakes before the on set of salt then a watering can full of cold water used on F&R brakes after each day and a good hosing on the weekend (frost permitting). Serviced the brakes when the salt is no longer being spread.

Never had siezed brakes.

Steve T

TLPower · « **Reply #4 on:** January 14, 2022, 19:29:56 »

Why is the problem still accepted?

Imagine if the brakes on other road vehicle suffered as badly.

Ianmc · « **Reply #5 on:** January 14, 2022, 20:27:09 »

I had to change both rear calipers on my car for the MOT last September, I had freed them off a couple of times previously, but they had lasted for 16 yrs.and 127,000 miles.
Plus the total cost including a set of brake pads and discs only came to approx. £150. as I did the job myself. I shudder to think what the equivalent parts would be on a Suzuki.

mr_diver · « **Reply #6 on:** January 14, 2022, 22:30:29 »

About £160 a disk. £350 per caliper

pichulec · « **Reply #7 on:** January 14, 2022, 22:43:05 »

I removed the callipers today, front and rear. I found out that rear master cylinder is completely seized up, not callipers. Bought the kit, will rebuild it.
I will have hard time to remove it from the bike as the bolts holding its cover are like welded and already have rounded Allen key slots, will have to use dremel to either make a cut and use flat screwdriver or cut the bolts heads and drill the rest of the bolts...

pichulec · « **Reply #8 on:** January 15, 2022, 17:12:12 »

As I expected it was a nightmare to get the master cylinder out. Had to cut bolt heads and then drill out the leftovers of bolts and then re-tap. Front caliper brake pad pin was seized, so had to cut it in half and remove leftovers (blowtorch was very helpfull). Front and rear callipers pistons corroded on the edge so I will be replacing those too.

So ordered:

2 sets of front callipers stainless steel pistons + full rebuild kit + brake pads + brake pad pin

1 set of rear caliper stainless steel piston + full rebuild kit + brake pads

1 set of master cylinder rebuild kit + 1x oring and brake connector

2x titanium m6 bolts so they won't seize anymore (steel bolts + aluminium = guaranteed galvanic corrosion.)

Total almost £300 :/

Not going to ride in the winter anymore...

steveg · « **Reply #9 on:** January 15, 2022, 18:32:29 »

I normally clean calipers before then after winter

Throw some cold water over calipers ( watering can) now again after riding in salt

Clean and cover rest of bike in acf50 and then leave and clean after winter

Will have to see how the DL1050 build quality holds up with winter use

Regards Steve

pichulec · « **Reply #10 on:** January 16, 2022, 18:41:20 »

Calipers and master cylinder painted

pichulec · « **Reply #11 on:** January 21, 2022, 21:47:29 »

I am getting there

UK_Vstrom650 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 21, 2022, 23:08:34 »

They're looking great 👍

Oop North John · « **Reply #13 on:** January 22, 2022, 10:55:12 »

Quote from: TLPower on January 14, 2022, 19:29:56

Why is the problem still accepted?

Probably due to the majority of bikes don't see salted roads as for most, it's a recreational vehicle, not the only form of transport.

Mr Nick · « **Reply #14 on:** January 22, 2022, 12:57:43 »

Compounded by the principal driver for many owners being how little they are willing to pay for such a bike.

Ianmc · « **Reply #15 on:** January 22, 2022, 14:56:18 »

All of the manufacturers service manuals that I have seen state categorically state NEVER to re-assemble brake and clutch cylinders with any lubricant except clean brake fluid.
I worked in a garage from leaving school in 1961, and we were a Girling and Lockheed brake and clutch specialists.I was taught NEVER to re-assemble cylinders without using rubber grease,I have stuck with this for all of my working life and have never had any problems with any of my motorbike brake calipers seizing up.
When I renew brake pads I pump out the pistons one at a time and then use a twisted piece of rag soaked in brake cleaner to remove any crud and old grease from the exterior of the pistons,and then re-coat them with rubber grease using the same twisted rag method to get behind the awkward parts of the pistons.
Works great every time, the only time I have ever had sticking caliper pistons is when I have purchased a new to me bike that has been neglected.

colin · « **Reply #16 on:** January 22, 2022, 17:54:50 »

I left school 1970. done 5 year apprentice as mechanic. always worked on vehicles. always used rubber grease when assembling brake/clutch cylinders. most kits come with a small bag of grease.

colin · « **Reply #17 on:** January 22, 2022, 17:58:56 »

Quote removed

Pichulec. where did you get your stainless brake pistons fom?

kwackboy · « **Reply #18 on:** January 22, 2022, 18:55:06 »

Personally, when rebuilding calipers I've always lightly covered the new seals in red rubber grease before seating them, never the pistons, I use brake fluid instead.

Each to their own though ..

pichulec · « **Reply #19 on:** January 22, 2022, 21:46:25 »

Job done, ready to install.

Colin:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/183291283398
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/162954527747