SRAM code r brakes - lubing pistons

[Mr Moofo]

The e-bike was uncharacteristically squealy on Tuesday night - so decided it needed new brake pads. It didn't but after my efforts to tty and push the pistons in, it does !

Pistons cleaned and a light lube with DOT fluid - but boy they were really sticky

@weeksy as a top MTB mechanic- is this normal, what is the correct way to service / lube so they don't stick?

[weeksy]

Depends how you cleaned the pistons really.

I have one of these, https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1363459 ... HlEALw_wcB

As you can work out you push out 1 piston at a time, clean it up and push it back. Yes a little bit of dot fluid of same type won't hurt, but realistically if you have a sealed system it won't really make much difference. I use some brake cleaner on the piston and a soft tiny brush to get it cleaned up.

I've had pistons that are tricky and some that are next to impossible (mostly on other peoples bikes) but generally they free up pretty well.

[Mr Moofo]

I used IPA to clean and a cotton bud.
I have one on those but did all 4 at the same time using a 4mm hex head key as the buffer

Just wondered if there was any tricks I was missing

[weeksy]

I used IPA to clean and a cotton bud.
I have one on those but did all 4 at the same time using a 4mm hex head key as the buffer

Just wondered if there was any tricks I was missing

Not really by the sounds of it. There's a company called Sumart (and others too) who make a piston tool for pushing them back in as they can go back slightly wonky and need persuasion at the right angles etc if they get slightly skewed. But sounds like you're doing a fine job mate.

[Mr Moofo]

I used IPA to clean and a cotton bud.
I have one on those but did all 4 at the same time using a 4mm hex head key as the buffer

Just wondered if there was any tricks I was missing

Not really by the sounds of it. There's a company called Sumart (and others too) who make a piston tool for pushing them back in as they can go back slightly wonky and need persuasion at the right angles etc if they get slightly skewed. But sounds like you're doing a fine job mate.

I am assuming that you pros also loosen the bleed screw to aid getting pistons back in?

[weeksy]

I do yeah. If I'm doing pistons it's getting a full bleed anyway

[mboy]

What @weeksy says, but also use this...

https://www.bikeparts.co.uk/products/sr ... g5EALw_wcB

It makes a bigger difference than you'd think... Apply with a cotton bud, having pushed a single piston out via the tool weeksy linked to... You can turn a typically lazy set of SRAM brakes into a box fresh performing set in no time!

[Mr Moofo]

What @weeksy says, but also use this...

https://www.bikeparts.co.uk/products/sr ... g5EALw_wcB

It makes a bigger difference than you'd think... Apply with a cotton bud, having pushed a single piston out via the tool weeksy linked to... You can turn a typically lazy set of SRAM brakes into a box fresh performing set in no time!

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