Hello Eric, I have to say I disagree with your use of Sil-Glide (or is it Sil-Glyde). I tried this stuff thinking it was silicone. I posted an oven test of this stuff a few years back that I can't locate right now (Maybe its in the archives). If I recall correctly it began to run or weep around or below 200 degrees F. I came to the conclusion that it was a petroleum based product with added silicone and did not meet the claims listed on the packaging. I had put some around the caliper piston on one of the rebuilds. Sure enough, after a couple of panic stops, the caliper heated up and the grease began to flow onto the friction disk and onto the rotor. The good news is that the rotor didn't heat up much anymore. The bad news is that the stopping power was destroyed! And, folklore claims that you can never get all the contaminants out of the friction pad with solvent. The next time it heats up, what remains flows back to the surface and once again effects your stopping power.
But, the Honda manual says to use silicone on the caliper cylinder and piston area that is not awash with brake fluid. I finally found a product from Dow Corning labeled High Vacuum Grease. This is a Silicone lubricant and the spec sheet lists impressive properties. My oven test only went to 500 degrees F, but the stuff didn't look or function any different at that temperature as it did in any other temperature including 0 degrees in my freezer. Anyway, I use it on all my caliper rebuilds to keep water off the puck side of the caliper and piston. Actually, on any brake part metal exposed to the atmosphere or where water can get to where friction is not needed. Don't put it on the friction parts! I haven't had to rebuild one of these calipers yet. But, if you don't replace the dot 3 brake fluid once every couple of years, it will sludge up on the inside and keep the caliper piston from moving away from the rotor. But, it takes from 5-10 years to do it. Anyway, I did ten panic stops from 60mph in a row with the Dow grease and never saw a sign of melting, seepage, creepage, weepage, or drool. I'm happy with it! Incidentally, I also use this grease on the brake bleeder to help keep it from rusting and freezing into the caliper. Works so far. But, then, I also keep the water out with a rubber cap over it like it came from the factory. I remember the 5.3 oz tube I have wasn't exactly cheap. However, it is a lifetime supply for me. And, it seems to be perfect for this application. Cheers, Lloyd SOHC4 #11 72 500, 74 550, 75 550K, 75 550F, 76 550F, 77 550F X2, 78 550K, 77 750F, 78 750F Eric Thierbach wrote: > rebuilt my caliper a couple years ago and used something called sil-glide >from >NAPA auto parts, lightly coat the caliper bore. Have also seen auto zone >sell >single use packets of this stuff. > >Haven't had a problem since > >Ride on. > >eric t. in KY >sohc4#568 >'71 CB750 >
