Thread: Brake caliper seal kits - any to avoid?

Originally Posted by twr7cx

My brake caliper kits arrived today (my vehicle being a D2a late model has the later model brake calipers). I ordered the OEM parts:
the fronts that arrived are TRW brand.
The rear that arrived are Britpart brand.

The TRW is a very thorough kit with grease and instructions. The Britpart just has the rubbers.

It's only the front calipers that are different. The rear calipers are the same.

The UK sellers I checked only list only Genuine or Replacement/Pattern for the rear seal kits but list OEM for the fronts, so I'd be skeptical about anyone claiming they could supply OEM seals for the rears.

at what point would you replace the seals?, do you get seepage or telltale sign?.
i changed the pads a while back and the boot section look nearly perished but no leaks, i have a twr kit in the shed ready.
also anyone seen a good tute for changing the seals?.

Originally Posted by Yorkie

at what point would you replace the seals?, do you get seepage or telltale sign?.
i changed the pads a while back and the boot section look nearly perished but no leaks, i have a twr kit in the shed ready.
also anyone seen a good tute for changing the seals?.

If you were going by the service schedule:

At 120,000km (72,000 miles) or every 6 years, which ever is sooner, all hydraulic brake fluid seals and hoses should be renewed. All working surfaces of the caliper cylinders should be renewed where necessary.

Originally Posted by OffTrack

If you were going by the service schedule:

i do love the way you rattle off all the finer details the rest of us choose to ignore or forget...

thanks, so at 295,000 mine might need replacing, brake lines too you think?.

Originally Posted by Yorkie

i do love the way you rattle off all the finer details the rest of us choose to ignore or forget...

thanks, so at 295,000 mine might need replacing, brake lines too you think?.

You asked Mine is just about to clock over 250K and I "wuz gunna do" the seals and hoses at 240K - they are still on the list.

If you are going to be pulling down the calipers to change the seals it's probably worth doing the hoses at the same time. don't forget the jump hoses

cheers
Paul

i will only pull mine down when i find a good tutorial, seen any?
what are these jump hoses that you speak of?.

Originally Posted by Yorkie

i will only pull mine down when i find a good tutorial, seen any?
what are these jump hoses that you speak of?.

I haven't tbh. I'll let you know if find one.

The jump hoses are the two short hoses ( SHB101350 )that join the the pipes from the modulator to rear brake pipes. You can see them in the passenger side wheel arch - the are above the chassis rail.

Cheers
Paul

Originally Posted by Yorkie

at what point would you replace the seals?, do you get seepage or telltale sign?.
i changed the pads a while back and the boot section look nearly perished but no leaks, i have a twr kit in the shed ready.
also anyone seen a good tute for changing the seals?.

Personally, I wouldn't do the seals until they become an issue or the dust covers are worn through. Every service I check the dust cover for damage and if it's damaged I would do the lot.

In my case I managed to nick one of the dust covers with the wire brush when I was cleaning the calipers up for painting. So I am now doing the lot.