Rebuilding ATE calipers

[ccolwell]

I am rebuilding the ATE calipers on my R90S. The instructions call for using ATE grease. Is there any readily available substitute for this?

[20774]

I used an old tube of all purpose white lithium grease. That's what I've always used on brake components (2- and 4-wheel) that are supposed to slide...

[amiles]

You would be better off posing Airhead Technical questions on the Airheads mailing list . Airheads.org etc

I rebuilt mine two years ago and used a product called Harvey's Silicone Grease that I bought at one of the big box home improvement stores. I believe that it is extremely important that no petroleum products get into the system as they are known to deteriorate the rubber bits.

DOT #5 is NOT to be used in the Airhead braking system due to compatibility problems with the rubber bits as well. Reportedly DOT 4 and DOT 5.1 are good to use.

Perhaps I made a terrible mistake in doing this but at my most recent braking system flush 4 days ago all was well with the system. Do so at your own risk.

[lkchris]

http://www.ate-na.com/generator/www/us/en/ate/ate/functions/contact/contact_us.html

[Bill Burke]

Napa. Brake grease. Single application packet. $1. That's what I used on the eccentric pin.

[ccolwell]

I should have been clearer. The instructions call for using the grease on the piston and dust seal. I think any good wheel bearing grease would work on the eccentric pin.

[lostboy]

Brembo used to supply a grease that looked to me like Vaseline and I had enough saved to get through several rebuilds. Now that I have run out, I simply wipe the seal and/or piston with brake fluid.

[amiles]

I had assumed, apparently correctly, that you were looking for an assembly lubricant to assist in assembling the piston with it's flexible bellows etc. The mounting pivot for the caliper is not as particular, almost any automotive grease will work for it.

[ccolwell]

I had assumed, apparently correctly, that you were looking for an assembly lubricant to assist in assembling the piston with it's flexible bellows etc. The mounting pivot for the caliper is not as particular, almost any automotive grease will work for it.

Thanks, I did see that you recognized that. However, I am not using DOT 5 and therefore a silicone grease is contra-indicated. Indeed, I am rebuilding the system because the PO used DOT 5, which leaked past the seals, causing complete failure (fortunately discovered in the garage and not on the road). So far, it seems to be going well. I flushed/cleaned everything with rubbing alcohol and then DOT 3/4. Nothing gummed up in that process, so I don't think there will be any issues of that sort down the line.

Thanks to all for your responses.

[ccolwell]

Found some help at this site: http://www.356registry.org/Tech/brakes_c_caliper_overhaul.html
The C clamp method worked well for me.