Brake caliper maintenance + aluminum piston conversion
We inspect the seals with extra care. You might ask if it’s really necessary, but… it’s for that extra “just in case?” peace of mind.
It’s reassuring to check new parts too. A caliper or vernier would work fine.
We also check the original steel piston
We check the piston’s condition and assess what kind of environment it was used in.
For example, if you use the pads down to the wire, the piston can rock and develop scoring.
When you use pads down to the wire, the piston extends as the pads wear. This reduces the fit between piston and cylinder, increasing play. During braking, the piston gets pulled by the pads, which can cause wear marks on both the piston and cylinder.
Rather than just looking at pad thickness, it might be easier to check pad wear by observing how far the piston extends when you install fresh pads.
After cleaning, it’s safer to degrease and then warm everything with an oven or heat gun to completely evaporate any remaining moisture.
Water left in the passages invites corrosion.
