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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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)

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

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.

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

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.

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.

http://s2.quickmeme.com/img/22/22bad...ea3bd89ff0.jpg

The FORUM must decide!!!

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