Topic: Front Caliper Rebuild...grease...

[puppytrax]

OK; I've RTFM on the CB500 and especially the part about -

Note:
Apply silicone sealing grease on the pads sliding surfaces of the caliper before assembling pad A and B. This serves as a dust preventative as well as water repellent. Do not apply grease on the pad friction surface.

The cross-section pic shows the pads A and B, but it's really not clear about what the sliding surfaces are...Do they mean the sides of the brake pads??? Do they mean the backs of the brake pads??? Both???

I've read the other thread about the 750 brake rebuild; my impression from that was to pack the sides of the pad where the piston is with the grease, to act as a dust boot...since my caliper doesn't have any form of dust boot...

Is that right??? I can see that my piston seal is leaking...which is probably a subtle hint that it needs replacing...

[oldbiker]

The grease goes on the back of the pads. i.e. the side away from the friction surface. One of the reasons for this is that it helps cut down on brake squeal.

[puppytrax]

The grease goes on the back of the pads. i.e. the side away from the friction surface. One of the reasons for this is that it helps cut down on brake squeal.

OK. And just how does that act as a dust preventative or water repellent?? It is the sides of the piston (and the bore) that need protecting...

[Bob Wessner]

According to the 750 shop manual, you apply the "specified" grease to the sides/edges of the pads being sure not to get any on the friction surfaces.

[TwoTired]

The caliper piston seal divides the brake fluid from the atmosphere.  The seal itself is lubed/preserved with Brake parts assembly lube.  Any exposed metal on the caliper puck side of the seal (piston, caliper bore, brake puck backing) gets a thin coat of Dow High Vacuum grease.
I then make sure that a little additional grease fills the gap between brake puck steel backing and the caliper bore wall.  This provides the barrier to keep dust and water from getting to bare metal behind the puck.

An assembly technique is to NOT push the caliper piston deep into the caliper on initial assembly.  The piston/puck depth is set as you assemble onto the rotor.  The helps keep the grease off the friction pads.

Cheers,

[puppytrax]

...I then make sure that a little additional grease fills the gap between brake puck steel backing and the caliper bore wall...

I am thinking that was the intent of the Honda manual before it was translated by the technical writer. It is also what I had intended.