brake conversion-wildwood

[Bernie Benz]

> From: DasWolfen at aol.com

> Jerry,
> This is what I call an excellent post from an informed and intelligent
> owner. You know the strengths and weaknesses of the setup you're using and
> haven't made any unfounded claims.
>
> I'm curious what Wilwood caliper you're using. I too have found that certain
> designs tend to flex under extreme use.
>
> A trick to extend the longivity of the Wilwood seals is to add shims (old
> backing plates work well) as the pads wear to prevent exposing a large area
> of the pistons. Of course a good cleaning every so often helps too.
I judge that this "trick" is pure conjecture on your part.

As a new pad wears the seal is always presented with clean piston from the
inside.  The dirty side of the piston never moves inward relative to the
seal, inasmuch as piston movement due to changing braking pressure is
comprised totally of seal deflection, not relative movement between the two
parts.  Therefore, from a hydraulics perspective, overhaul and parts
cleaning is only necessary when replacing pads.  Road salts may have an
adverse effect on the aluminum parts even though they are hard anodized, but
this is another factor and circumstance.

Your "trick" of adding shims before pad replacement.requires unnecessary
caliper overhaul with each shim addition, IMO.

Bernie
>
> Keith