80 SG brake caliper dust boot

[fxrer]

While cleaning a front caliper on my ‘ 80 SG, I inadvertently left the piston dust boot soak in brake fluid, which expanded the rubber so now it doesn’t fit. (Why is this rubber sensitive to brake fluid, but the piston seal rubber isn’t?).

Partsnmore offers a dust boot as part of a $14 rebuild kit, but I don’t need the other stuff - just the boot. Anyone know of a source for the boot only?

[Dennyz]

Try washing the boot in alcohol then warm soapy water. When dry, it should return to its original size.

It may take a couple of washings.

[fxrer]

Hi Denny,

Thanks for the tip.

I had washed it in soap and water, with no difference. Now, I just washed it with alcohol, then soap and water. Still too large in diameter, but I'll check it again in a day. The rubber looks fine, no deterioration, it's just too big to fit snug to the caliper and the piston. And, I can't get the retaining ring to "retain" it where it fits to the caliper.

[Dennyz]

You may have to soak it in the alcohol for a while. Try using a hair dryer to dry it out. I did the exact same thing to one of my boots and was able to get it to return to its orginal size. It took a while (a few days) to dry out after I washed it. I left it in the sun (summer time) on a window ledge. Each day it would get a bit smaller.

[fxrer]

OK, I'll give that technique a try - I've got lots of time before the snow melts (12")!

[fxrer]

Hey Denny,

Well, after a week of "drying" time, the boot didn't shrink up at all. I finally ordered a caliper rebuild "kit" from Partsnmore. The kit consisted of the dust boot, the piston seal, and the little runbber cap for the bleed screw; that's what you get for your $14!!. Oh well, you gotta have it. Anyway, the new boot fits fine, (just like it's supposed to) so the caliper is back together, on the bike and ready to bleed.

The kit package was labled Tour Max- Hi Performance, made in Japan. Thinking I could get a better price right from the source, I did a Google search, and didn't find anything. It must be a job shop in Japan, making stuff from OEM specs? I wonder what else they make? Doesn't seem like you could support much of a company making rebuild kits for 25 year old XS 11's?

[Dennyz]

$14 is not worth screwing with the old one.