Pulling Caliper Piston Seals at the Track

M2guru · 03-21-2019, 07:59 PM

Have seen some pictures of cars burning up their caliper piston seals at the track and am wondering if anyone has pulled the seals (outer dust boots?) while at the track and then put them back in later after everything cools down. I am going to be trying new rims/slicks that should end up with generating more heat in the brakes and am looking to prevent an issue with burnt seals (don't quite care about the color of the calipers - I think). Thoughts? (no need to talk pads and fluid - just asking about experiences/thoughts with the seals.) Thanks in advance for the discussion!

ZM2 · 03-21-2019, 08:34 PM

First goes the color, second goes the seals, third goes even pad wear.

All this made me change to an aftermarket BBK.

M2guru · 03-21-2019, 08:36 PM

I may end up there myself, but after doing some reading I think I'd be doing some ducting before I make the jump to the BBK.

ZM2 · 03-21-2019, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M2guru

I may end up there myself, but after doing some reading I think I'd be doing some ducting before I make the jump to the BBK.

Absolutely. The threshold is different for each of us, as we’re all different brakers. I’m pretty brutal, for better or (likely) worse.

I still haven’t seen a ducting system for the M2 that doesn’t get torn up from daily driving, or risks cracking rotors from not sending cool air into the center of the disc to blow thru the vanes.

But like braking styles, the cooling setups out there work for different strokes and anything is better than nothing. I’m still running the Porsche GT3 air deflectors. Wasn’t enough for OEM, but works for APs.

M2guru · 03-22-2019, 03:39 PM

I think I am heading towards pulling the seals. The one thing making me think is how to clean before putting the seals back on. Maybe it's not that big of a deal, but I've never done it before so not sure what to expect.

Megator · 03-25-2019, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M2guru

I think I am heading towards pulling the seals. The one thing making me think is how to clean before putting the seals back on. Maybe it's not that big of a deal, but I've never done it before so not sure what to expect.

I think you will oval the seals when trying to remove them and re-installing them is impossible without remocing the caliper.

I also do not recomend the high temp seals they sell as I killed them in a track day...

5.M0NSTER · 03-25-2019, 03:13 PM

Let them burn. Unless you also drive the car in the snow and salt and grime it will be fine. I've roasted 2 sets on my previous car before just letting them smolder. Car was fine. I swapped track pads a few times per year for track days, and I just sprayed the pistons with brake cleaner to get the area clean. 5 years of that with 0 brake issues. Went through 4 sets of pads.

One thing that does help is TI shims. They shield the dust boots from high temp better than pads themselves.

M2guru · 03-25-2019, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5.M0NSTER

Let them burn. Unless you also drive the car in the snow and salt and grime it will be fine.

LOL...that's me. I don't mind cleaning the calipers and putting in new seals before winter if that's what I have to do. TI shields are a good idea, too - thanks for that thought!

rich8566 · 03-25-2019, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5.M0NSTER

One thing that does help is TI shims. They shield the dust boots from high temp better than pads themselves.

What is a TI shim and where can I get them? Thank you.

Got it here: http://www.seinesystems.com/BrakeFade-2.htm

M2guru · 06-05-2019, 04:44 PM

Didn't pull the seals and didn't get the TI shims...and after a couple two-day track sessions, the seals are fried. Thankfully they didn't melt all over the place - they're just cracked rubber now, so I'll replace them before winter and pull them before track days. At least that's my plan now.

pal · 06-05-2019, 11:54 PM

Dust boots on the Brembo style calipers are easy enough to replace. I won't do it at the track though.

StopTech makes some silicone boots - you should check the size of the factory pistons and consider replacing to those instead of new factory ones.

Also, Ti Shim's help a bit with heat transfer.

03-21-2019, 07:59 PM	#1
M2guru Lieutenant 384 Rep 572 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 Join Date: May 2017 Location: St. Paul MN iTrader: (2) Garage List 2018 BMW M2 [10.00]	Pulling Caliper Piston Seals at the Track Have seen some pictures of cars burning up their caliper piston seals at the track and am wondering if anyone has pulled the seals (outer dust boots?) while at the track and then put them back in later after everything cools down. I am going to be trying new rims/slicks that should end up with generating more heat in the brakes and am looking to prevent an issue with burnt seals (don't quite care about the color of the calipers - I think). Thoughts? (no need to talk pads and fluid - just asking about experiences/thoughts with the seals.) Thanks in advance for the discussion!
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03-21-2019, 08:34 PM	#2
ZM2 Brigadier General 2811 Rep 3,695 Posts Drives: 2017 LBB M2 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Baltimore iTrader: (1)	First goes the color, second goes the seals, third goes even pad wear. All this made me change to an aftermarket BBK.
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03-21-2019, 08:36 PM	#3
M2guru Lieutenant 384 Rep 572 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 Join Date: May 2017 Location: St. Paul MN iTrader: (2) Garage List 2018 BMW M2 [10.00]	I may end up there myself, but after doing some reading I think I'd be doing some ducting before I make the jump to the BBK.
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03-22-2019, 03:39 PM	#5
M2guru Lieutenant 384 Rep 572 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 Join Date: May 2017 Location: St. Paul MN iTrader: (2) Garage List 2018 BMW M2 [10.00]	I think I am heading towards pulling the seals. The one thing making me think is how to clean before putting the seals back on. Maybe it's not that big of a deal, but I've never done it before so not sure what to expect.
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03-25-2019, 03:13 PM	#7
5.M0NSTER Lieutenant Colonel 3354 Rep 1,823 Posts Drives: 2018 Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Back in Michigan, GO BLUE! iTrader: (0)	Let them burn. Unless you also drive the car in the snow and salt and grime it will be fine. I've roasted 2 sets on my previous car before just letting them smolder. Car was fine. I swapped track pads a few times per year for track days, and I just sprayed the pistons with brake cleaner to get the area clean. 5 years of that with 0 brake issues. Went through 4 sets of pads. One thing that does help is TI shims. They shield the dust boots from high temp better than pads themselves. __________________ 2017 BMW M2 German Spec 6MT, Driver's Package --> SOLD 2018 Camaro SS 1LE. Because race car! "Redline a day keeps the mechanics away"
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06-05-2019, 04:44 PM	#10
M2guru Lieutenant 384 Rep 572 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 Join Date: May 2017 Location: St. Paul MN iTrader: (2) Garage List 2018 BMW M2 [10.00]	Didn't pull the seals and didn't get the TI shims...and after a couple two-day track sessions, the seals are fried. Thankfully they didn't melt all over the place - they're just cracked rubber now, so I'll replace them before winter and pull them before track days. At least that's my plan now.
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06-05-2019, 11:54 PM	#11
pal Captain 433 Rep 753 Posts Drives: Z4 M Coupe Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (2)	Dust boots on the Brembo style calipers are easy enough to replace. I won't do it at the track though. StopTech makes some silicone boots - you should check the size of the factory pistons and consider replacing to those instead of new factory ones. Also, Ti Shim's help a bit with heat transfer.
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