Just about discouraged

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Edmaddox
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Just about discouraged

#1

Post by Edmaddox »

Well I said I would report back. 1980 GL1100I 1 front and back caliper thourgholy cleans. New rubber new 43mm pistons are still leaking! I don’t no weather to just ignore the problem or take them apart again. Is there nothing that can be put I groove behind square o ring to help seal it up? I’m really at my wits end!
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scootsx2
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Re: Just about discouraged

#2

Post by scootsx2 »

You shouldn't put anything in the groove except the seal. Did you lubricate the seal with brake fluid prior to assembly? Perhaps the seal was torn or twisted during assembly. Is the piston wall smooth (no corrosion, pits or scratches)?
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Edmaddox
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Re: Just about discouraged

#3

Post by Edmaddox »

Yes new piston, new o-ring and dust seal, lubed in brake fluid o-ring and piston. Was carful to get straight and slide in gently. Clean groove out carefully w/a pick and brake cleaner. This is like 3rd or 4th assembly. Was in leaky front caliper. Should have stayed w/ original post I suppose.
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Sidecar Bob
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Re: Just about discouraged

#4

Post by Sidecar Bob »

You mentioned a leaking fork seal in the other thread. Are you absolutely sure it is brake fluid that is leaking?

BTW: I found that if I applied silicone grease (recommended for lubricating brake parts for assembly) into the grooves in the bores of the caliper on my winter machine before I installed the rubber rings there was less corrosion in the grooves the next time I had the caliper apart so I have started doing that on the GoldWing too. It wouldn't stop a leak but it is something other than the seal that can be put into the grooves.
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scootsx2
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Re: Just about discouraged

#5

Post by scootsx2 »

Sidecar Bob wrote:BTW: I found that if I applied silicone grease (recommended for lubricating brake parts for assembly) into the grooves in the bores of the caliper...
I have been using Brakemasters seal & piston kits when I rebuild calipers. They include a container of pink silicone grease in each kit.

https://brake-masters.com/
1975 GL1000 Sidecar Outfit
1982 CX500-based Trident ex-Police Trike
2001 GL1800 MotorTrike
2006 Vespa LX150
1956 Francis-Barnett Falcon 74
195x Solex 1700
196x Solex 2200

St. Louis, MO

The dude abides.

Brothers of the Third Wheel - Gateway Chapter http://www.btw-trikers.org
Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club http://www.vjmc.org
Francis-Barnett Owners Club http://www.francis-barnett.co.uk/
Antique Motorcycle Club of America http://www.antiquemotorcycle.org/
Vintage Motor Cycle Club http://www.vmcc.net
British Motorcycle Charitable Trust http://www.bmct.org/
VeloSolex Club UK http://www.velosolexclubuk.com/
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tlbranth
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Re: Just about discouraged

#6

Post by tlbranth »

If your piston is new, rubber ring is new and it leaks, something's bad in the groove. I flinched when you said you used a 'pick' to clean the groove. I hope you meant a toothpick. some Brakleen and a wood toothpick or two are good for getting the crud out of the corners. Brakleen and cotton swabs are good for finishing up. NAPA sells a brake assembly fluid that's good for lubing it all up for assembly.
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flyin900
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Re: Just about discouraged

#7

Post by flyin900 »

tlbranth wrote:If your piston is new, rubber ring is new and it leaks, something's bad in the groove. I flinched when you said you used a 'pick' to clean the groove. I hope you meant a toothpick. some Brakleen and a wood toothpick or two are good for getting the crud out of the corners. Brakleen and cotton swabs are good for finishing up. NAPA sells a brake assembly fluid that's good for lubing it all up for assembly.
Plus#1 on this question. If you damaged the grooved seal area by using a metal scraping tool then that could be your issue. If the groove is nice and clean and undamaged then with all the new parts there should be no issues with leaks.
Pictures of the bare calipers if you decide to take them apart again with the seals removed would give a better idea of the surface areas and what your dealing with presently.
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low-side
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Re: Just about discouraged

#8

Post by low-side »

I use a pick for the groove every time, just have to watch and be sure that you aren't damaging the metal. I use a special one with a dulled tip to scrape the corrosion that builds up behind the seal. That said, something is wrong if it's leaking. Is it possible that you damaged the seal groove or missed a spot in the groove that now makes the seal sit out of round? Was the piston pitted? Pitting creates sharp edges that can cut seals. If none of those are going on you may check the really unusual stuff and measure the piston and bore to determine roundness. Some photos may help. Good luck with it.
Edmaddox
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Re: Just about discouraged

#9

Post by Edmaddox »

I’m sure no damage to groove. Used a small curved, blunt tool my wife uses in wood working. Calipers are not pitted. The groove seems wide for seal. Up and down wide.
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Re: Just about discouraged

#10

Post by Edmaddox »

Parts are oem equivalents from gallery power sports. Off eBay.
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Re: Just about discouraged

#11

Post by Easter »

On two different occasions I have received piston seals that on close examination (on disassembly after leaking) I discovered a small molding discrepancy that I first thought was my fault in the original assembly, but on closer examination proved to be a factory error. Hopefully all of these are out of circulation by now (within the last year) but worth checking carefully before installing. Since then I have been sticking with OEM only.
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Re: Just about discouraged

#12

Post by Shadowjack »

This may be obvious, but there's a fluid seal and a dust seal. Not getting the grooves mixed up, I hope?
Edmaddox
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Re: Just about discouraged

#13

Post by Edmaddox »

Well I always said my wife can do it better. I took rear caliper off last night(that’s the one that’s been leaking), and she said let me put it back together, and guess what just got home and cked and it’s dry as a bone!
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5speed
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Re: Just about discouraged

#14

Post by 5speed »

Edmaddox wrote:Well I always said my wife can do it better. I took rear caliper off last night(that’s the one that’s been leaking), and she said let me put it back together, and guess what just got home and cked and it’s dry as a bone!
you're never going to live that down. :mrgreen:
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Sidecar Bob
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Re: Just about discouraged

#15

Post by Sidecar Bob »

Yeah, but the next time you need a caliper rebuilt you can call on her "expertise" in that area :orange :orange :orange
Mr. Honda ('83 GL1100/Dnepr) summer How a motorcycle evolves thread
The Famous Eccles ('84 CX650EI/VeloUral) winter Never Ending Build (CX500forum)
Click: Colour schematics for all GL1000 & GL1100 and GL1200 standard models plus instructions on how to download the full size version
"A guy with two sidecars can't be all bad." - Cookie
Another guy with two sidecars..... Hmmmm... must be something to that....
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