Brake caliper seals

[rwolcott23]

We are making our own brake calipers this year and they have internal plumbing. In my experience, commercial calipers usually have a small square-section o-ring where the internal plumbing channel lines up at the bridge. What is a good source for these o-rings? Will o-rings made of either Viton or Buna work? Is the advantage of a square-section o-ring much better than a standard o-ring?

Thanks,
Bob

[rwolcott23]

We are making our own brake calipers this year and they have internal plumbing. In my experience, commercial calipers usually have a small square-section o-ring where the internal plumbing channel lines up at the bridge. What is a good source for these o-rings? Will o-rings made of either Viton or Buna work? Is the advantage of a square-section o-ring much better than a standard o-ring?

Thanks,
Bob

[Underthefloor]

Try Calling Dan Yonkers at McGuire Bearing Co.
(503) 238 1570
If he can't help you, Mike McGuire probably can. They do alot of oil seal and o-ring stuff.

[MikeWaggoner at UW]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> Is the advantage of a square-section o-ring much better than a standard o-ring?

Thanks,
Bob </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Square O-rings are better when you want to limit squish, because they seal better for a given amount of pressure. That's why they're often used for the pistons; because they want them to slide. They also provide slightly better spring back for pad retraction.

EPM has square, and here's their material guide.

http://www.epm.com/material_guide.htm

[Alejandro]

hi bob..

this is our second year with home made calipers.. and yeap.. I also think that square o rings are better.. because they seal better and they can support more pressure..and almost every comeercial calipers use square o rings..
we set our brake systems in order to use o - rings from the rear calipers of a Chevrolet lumina and a Ford laser.. So before making .. make sure that you can get the specific o-rings to fit the calipers..

[Wizard]

Parker's Website has tons of useful information about everything o-ring and seal related. Their engineering support is also excellent and has been very helpful several times. I would check it out.

Also, their inPHorm design software is also another get tool to download.

Parker's inPHorm O-ring Site (http://www.parker.com/ead/cm2.asp?cmid=983)