I got a small bottle of "brake assembly lube" at the local auto parts store. I coated the entire piston with a few drops before replacing the piston back in the bore. None on the end faces.

I have used "anti-squeal" brake goo on the pad that faces the piston - but that is a separate issue. I've found that it is important to make sure that you use caliper grease on the sliding areas of the caliper otherwise they tend to build up with brake dust and will cause squealing and dragging.

Todd '88 Westy

Clive Smith wrote:

>Where did you put the caliper grease exactly? On just the end faces of the >pistons. > >Clive >'88 Syncro Transporter > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Todd Last" <Rubatoguy@MINDSPRING.COM> >To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> >Sent: Monday, July 15, 2002 6:56 AM >Subject: Sticking Calipers > > > > >>I have an '88 Westy that I believe the front calipers appear to stick. >>That is, they do not seem to release fully. >> >>Well, today I pulled a caliper, rebuild kit in hand, and upon taking the >>thing apart, noticed scratches on the caliper piston. Not really any >>significant corrosion on the piston bore itself - but scratches on the >>piston. These were Girling calipers. >> >>I went ahead and cleaned everything out, and reinstalled the piston with >>caliper grease, which make a definite improvement, but I'm thinking that >>having scratches on the piston means its time for new calipers. Is this >>a reasonable assessment? >> >>Thought I'd pass this on for folks who may be experiencing the same >>symptoms. >> >> >>Todd >>'88 Westy >> >> > > > >