brake paste/grease/fluid for reassembly

[rinard at execpc.com]

Brett --
I rebuilt the calipers on a rust-free California Mercedes 300cd twice
because I used only brake fluid as an assembly lube the first time.
The piston bores developed corrosion within a year around the outer
edges and began to hang the pistons up (I'm in moisture-abundant
Wisconsin).

The second time around I used synthetic brake caliper grease from my
local NAPA. I didn't use it on the seals (I soaked them in brake
fluid) but coated the areas where rust had developed in the bores and
also coated the insides of the outer boots to seal moisture out. No
problems since, 18 months later.

HTH

Russ Maki
Ixonia, Wis.



> To: quattro at audifans.com
> From: Brett Dikeman <brett at cloud9.net>
> Subject: brake paste/grease/fluid for reassembly
>
> Folks,
>
> I'm putting the calipers back together, and curious...Bentley says
> "use Audi PN blah blah grease on orings and pistons for reassembly"
> etc.
>
> Uh, okay.
>
> Wouldn't brake fluid do just as nicely?  Or is the idea to have
> something non-hygroscopic near the outer surfaces?  Would regular
> synthetic general purpose grease do?(got a big tube of M1 synthetic
> "general purpose" grease, good to 550 degrees or something.)
>
> Brett