Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > 998 / 996 / 916 / 748 > Greasing caliper pistons - Advice needed.

[weeksy2]

Well because of the millions of tonnes of cleaning stuff i've thrown at my calipers recently, they are pretty hard to move. Simply i think i've cleaned all the grease off LOL.

So, i've got a nice bit of Castrol Moly Grease that i use for most things. Obviously some Copper slip, but of course i won't be using that.

So do you guys use a standard moly grease, or something more specific ?

[Carbon749]

Why not use the copper slip ??? it's used on the back of the pads, pins etc etc

[dave996]

Polar Bear recommended 'Castrol red rubber grease', however Paul James (cheers man) sent me some grease through the post, If you want I can send what is left to you (more than enough)
Cheers
Dave

[weeksy2]

that would be great indeed mate.

What's the procedure then guys ? i've currently got the pads out and the pistons are almost fully extended outwards, holing in a screwdriver.

So just rub on the outside of the pistons then push back in and repeat ?

[Carbon749]

OK,

Direct quote from my grease selection chart :

Molytex EP2 - Molly grease

Performance -
High structure stabillity
Good oxidation resistance
Anti-rust properties
Resistance to water
EP Additive

Applications
Steering knuckles, joints and pins
Splined sliding yokes
Spring shackles
Pins and bushes
Turntables
Universal Joints


Copper Grease

Performance
Prevent corrosion
Good water resistance
Strong Adherence
High temp resistance
Good anti-wear
Noise reduction
Prevents fretting corrosion

Applications
Brakes
Lubrication between dis-similar metals
Anti corrosion grease

[Simon Reed]

Drop your calipers off yours forx,pads out,lines attached,into a bucket of red hot water with a washing up tablet in,or a handfull of washing up powder,leave for 10 minutes then thoroughley clean with a alloy wheel brush,or toothbrush or similar,then blow dry dry with an air line,or similar,then smear a small amount of brembo silicone caliper grease around then exposed pistons,its available from GPR,for about a fiver,do this 2/3 times a year,replace as removed,torque up,job done !

Do not use brake cleaner,as it perishes the seals,its ok on pads etc,but not the calipers !

[twpd]

I found out to my cost with my race bike that copper grease can cause lots of problems with caliper seals - they swell, it cause pistons to stick and this boiled the fluid and glazed the pads. I started using red rubber grease from Castrol and that almost totally solved the problem. I only use the copper stuff on pins now. In the case of Ducati calipers I use nothing - I just keep them clean. If your pistons are sticking badly then the chances are that the seals are fugged - they may have swelled due to all the cleaning materials you have used.

[ericthered40]

Originally posted by weeksy2
that would be great indeed mate.

What's the procedure then guys ? i've currently got the pads out and the pistons are almost fully extended outwards, holing in a screwdriver.

So just rub on the outside of the pistons then push back in and repeat ?

If you get the pistons out far enough you can rotate them to clean the crap off the face's next to the caliper

[Gizmo]

Agree with twpd, replace seals, clean everything, lube with brake fluid ( the seal is designed not to swell or react with that) then every so often move pistons in and out fully. Happens all the time on mountain bikes where you notice it immediately as the pad won't retract fully and you get a slight rub ( which all mountain bikers think is slowing them down), most mess around for days trying to shim the caliper but its probably the seal dry, moving the pistons in and out cures it. All that pulls the piston back in the seal. GPR should know however and if they suggest grease use that and then keep moving pistons in and out.

[weeksy2]

nice info lads. Will give it a whirl when the stuff arrives from Dave.

thanks all.