Brake piston boots

RN SHARK · 05-31-2017, 04:45 PM

I was wondering how often you all who track find yourselves replacing the brake piston boots? I know I had some brake fade at CMP recently so I know the brakes got quite hot, but I was surprised to find all my rubber boots were a crisp crumbly mess. I just replaced these about 4 track events ago. Is this expected wear?
Oh, and yes, I have the Akebonos.

BGTV8 · 05-31-2017, 05:20 PM

Short answer is ........... Yes ...............

SouthArk370Z · 05-31-2017, 06:42 PM

They make silicone, high-temp boots for some setups. They should remain flexible for longer.

takjak2 · 06-01-2017, 12:28 PM

Crispy boots is normal after regular track use. No need to be concerned or bother replacing the boots. I plan to rebuild with new seals after 50 hours or so.

2011 Nismo#91 · 06-01-2017, 12:36 PM

Another thing to add to the list. This track fun is getting pricey. Still worth it.

osbornsm · 06-01-2017, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RN SHARK

I was wondering how often you all who track find yourselves replacing the brake piston boots? I know I had some brake fade at CMP recently so I know the brakes got quite hot, but I was surprised to find all my rubber boots were a crisp crumbly mess. I just replaced these about 4 track events ago. Is this expected wear?
Oh, and yes, I have the Akebonos.

Mine have disappeared entirely. Brake temps vaporized those years ago.

Although, i must say... the Pistons seem to be working fine without boots, so...?

RN SHARK · 06-01-2017, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by osbornsm

Mine have disappeared entirely. Brake temps vaporized those years ago.

Although, i must say... the Pistons seem to be working fine without boots, so...?

Good to know. I'll try finding some silicone ones anyway.

Z1NONLY · 06-01-2017, 06:58 PM

On my 350Z, I just made sure I cleaned the pistons really well before compressing them for a flush or new pads. Never replaced the boots. (the car spent most of its life without those boots)

SouthArk370Z · 06-01-2017, 08:05 PM

I wouldn't run a car without the boots. While the risk may be small, the consequences can be disastrous. YMMV

Rusty · 06-01-2017, 08:25 PM

It depends on your experience, driving style, pads, and track on how fast the brake caliper boots gets BBQ. A lot of guys I know don't even replace them during a caliper rebuild for a track car.

ResIpsa · 06-07-2017, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

I wouldn't run a car without the boots. While the risk may be small, the consequences can be disastrous. YMMV

What are the consequences? Do you have personal knowledge of someone crashing their Z because of catastrophic brake piston dust boot failure?

Sorry about the tone of this post but I hate when bad information gets out on this forum.

Straight answer is it is fine to run without the dust boots.

SouthArk370Z · 06-07-2017, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ResIpsa

What are the consequences? Do you have personal knowledge of someone crashing their Z because of catastrophic brake piston dust boot failure?

Sorry about the tone of this post but I hate when bad information gets out on this forum.

Straight answer is it is fine to run without the dust boots.

Not bad info. At worst, a little over-cautious.

It's not catastrophic boot failure that is the problem, it's the dirt that the lack of a boot lets in.

I have run into two cars where a piston seized due to dirt allowed in by a torn or missing boot. But, no, neither was a 370Z. And, judging by the look of things, both had been missing the boot for a while before the piston seized.

The chances of this happening are not great and the outcome is usually just over-heating brakes (piston usually sticks in the extended position). But it could cause that wheel to lock up I don't like to take any chances with things like brakes and steering. YMMV

cv129 · 06-07-2017, 11:25 AM

Seems to me, the boot is a preventive measure for "extended" interval where buildup usually gets neglected for a long time. for a street car, I imagine the brake piston spends months/years extending out to compensate for the worn pads. I would want boots in this case.

For cars that visit tracks, things get changed and cleaned frequent enough to negate the negative of the missing boots.

SouthArk370Z · 06-07-2017, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cv129

... things get changed and cleaned frequent enough to negate the negative of the missing boots.

That should greatly decrease the odds of dirt being a problem ... but it doesn't totally eliminate it.

I guess it's up to the individual to decide what is best for their situation.

osbornsm · 06-07-2017, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

I guess it's up to the individual to decide what is best for their situation.

The FORUM must decide!!!

05-31-2017, 04:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
RN SHARK Track Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Delafield, WI Age: 44 Posts: 618 Drives: 09 370Z, 14 SRT GC Rep Power: 35	Brake piston boots I was wondering how often you all who track find yourselves replacing the brake piston boots? I know I had some brake fade at CMP recently so I know the brakes got quite hot, but I was surprised to find all my rubber boots were a crisp crumbly mess. I just replaced these about 4 track events ago. Is this expected wear? Oh, and yes, I have the Akebonos. __________________ ___________ '09 6sp/Z1/PowerTrix/SPL/Swift/SRP/Whiteline/F.I.LTH&CBE/UpRev by Seb/CJM/Stillen/Ings+1/RJM/TrackSpec/Sparco/Motul/Wavetrac/Coolerworx/Verus/CraftSquare '14 SRT Grand Cherokee; '08 TL Type-S

05-31-2017, 06:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324198	They make silicone, high-temp boots for some setups. They should remain flexible for longer. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

06-01-2017, 12:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
takjak2 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sterling, VA Posts: 1,922 Drives: Legit Racecar 370Z Rep Power: 142	Crispy boots is normal after regular track use. No need to be concerned or bother replacing the boots. I plan to rebuild with new seals after 50 hours or so. __________________ Mods \| Stuff \| Things \| Seat Time \| Nismo facebook.com/TeamSparrowSpeed

06-01-2017, 12:36 PM	#5 (permalink)
2011 Nismo#91 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 2,402 Drives: slowly Rep Power: 40569	Another thing to add to the list. This track fun is getting pricey. Still worth it. __________________ GTR TT 493Whp/431lbft, Ecutek, Southbend 6puck,Quaife, RPM RollBar 4Point, R888R, JRZ RSPro F(10R/10C) R(10R/6C) 1000f500r inlbs+150inlbs Tender, SPL everywhere.Full Specs

06-01-2017, 08:05 PM	#9 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324198	I wouldn't run a car without the boots. While the risk may be small, the consequences can be disastrous. YMMV __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

05-31-2017, 05:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
BGTV8 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: 03350 Australia Posts: 1,514 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z M6 Rep Power: 39974	Short answer is ........... Yes ...............

06-01-2017, 06:58 PM	#8 (permalink)
Z1NONLY Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: SW Florida Posts: 355 Drives: 16 FR-S Rep Power: 40	On my 350Z, I just made sure I cleaned the pistons really well before compressing them for a flush or new pads. Never replaced the boots. (the car spent most of its life without those boots)

06-01-2017, 08:25 PM	#10 (permalink)
Rusty Ronin Samurai - Assassin Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Fayettenam,Pennsyltucky Age: 68 Posts: 35,220 Drives: 2011 Nismo GM 6M Rep Power: 2684438	It depends on your experience, driving style, pads, and track on how fast the brake caliper boots gets BBQ. A lot of guys I know don't even replace them during a caliper rebuild for a track car. osbornsm likes this. __________________ 浪人 - 殺し屋 "The Difficult Anytime, The Impossible By Appointment Only" http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...o-journal.html

06-07-2017, 11:25 AM	#13 (permalink)
cv129 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,237 Drives: 09 Nismo, 16 Nismo Rep Power: 163995	Seems to me, the boot is a preventive measure for "extended" interval where buildup usually gets neglected for a long time. for a street car, I imagine the brake piston spends months/years extending out to compensate for the worn pads. I would want boots in this case. For cars that visit tracks, things get changed and cleaned frequent enough to negate the negative of the missing boots. __________________ Setrab \| RE-71 \| SPL \| JRZ \| Nismo \| ARK \| Whiteline \| RacingBrake \| CJM Oil Pan \| Ti shield

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