Brake calipers and corrosion

[Werny]

Hi folks.

I'm quite happy to cover my bike in ACF50 for the winter, but don't dare put it anywhere near my calipers. This has led to corrosion starting on my caliper mounting bolts, caliper-bolting-together-bolts and the banjo bolt/fitting on the brake hose.

Is there anything I can put on these safely to try and inhibit corrosion without running the risk of getting oil/silicon/whatever into the brake workings? I've considered replacing all the bolts with stainless ones and getting stainless braided hose with stainless fittings, but would rather not spend money on bolts and a 1.5 year old bike doesn't really need new hoses fitted yet.

WWBCFD?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions

[Babba]

You could try a smearing of Vaseline, but check first that the bolt heads don't get hot after a hard ride.

[Robby]

Leave them alone. The rust isn't going to do anything bad, it's just a little surface corrosion.

If the look of the bike worries you that much, get then zinc coated. I wouldn't replace with stainless, the bolts in that area are a particular grade of steel because it is the right material for the job. I have sheared off any number of stainless bolts in the past, and wouldn't want to use it on brakes.

Don't put any sort of lubricant on any of the brake bolts. The whole area can get hot enough to cause anything to melt and spread. It gets hotter as it works harder, meaning that the vaseline you had spread on something would go and melt right when the brakes are working hardest, and you really need them.

[DrDonnyBrago]

I put a thin smear of ACF50 onto the bolts and caliper bodies with a ACF50 dampened rag. Don't go putting grease or oil on as it'll heat up and run.


As for changing to stainless, there are two main grades of stainless bolts you will come across, these are "soft as shit" and "brittle as fuck", neither is much use in a braking system. It is only surface rust, a bike used in winter is pretty much destined to get a bit orange in places so don't worry about it.

[andym]

isn't that the kind of job for copper grease?

I've used it on various parts on the bike as long as it doesn't touch the pads or disk then it should be fine.... but don't mind admitting I'm wrong

[Vincent]

How about having the bolt heads powder coated?
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[Fizzer Thou]

There would be nothing wrong with replacing the brake banjo bolts with stainlees ones.These are a straight replacement from anyone like Goodridge or HEL.

As for some surface corrosion,the suggestion to wipe over the bike with some ACF on a rag is good as it will only go where you want it to go.I do this on my enduro race bike and never have a problem with rust after a good and thorough clean.

It is a good idea though to remove the caliper mount and body bolts and to clean them up with a wire brush.Use non-permanent blue Loctite for the threads of the bolts but a very thin smear of copaslip on the shank of the bolt and where it seats with the caliper body.The Loctite will not only inhibit corrosion but will stop the bolt coming undone when you least expect it - unlike copaslip on the threads.

If the calipers are of the floating type ie.they slide on two pins,it is a good idea to use a smear of high melting point grease on the pins.I have seen people using copaslip on these pins and the copper grease dries out.
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[Werny]

Thanks for the replies, folks, helpful stuff there