The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Wheel cylinder assembly lub

Does anyone use a assembly lube for the pistons on the wheel cylinders to help eliminate corrosion/ seizing? What is recommended? I know they say to use brake fluid but my understanding is that dot3 absorbs moisture, so my thought is it just promotes the rust. After sitting the pistons just seize up. I also live on a gravel road where they use calcium to control the dust which may add to the corrosion. Thanks

They do make an assembly lube. You can buy it at most parts houses. You can also just use brake fluid. There is nothing that I know of that will top corrosion or rust in the cyl's other than a fluid flush every few years.

Brake fluid is the only thing recommended, use no silicone or petroleum based products. I have not researched a specific lube but if FAST55 says there is something, it could be true!

Used to be under the McKay name. But still made by the same company. Been using it for 42 years with no issues. Airosol Assembly Lube.

Thirty years ago when I did the initial restoration on my '38 half ton pickup I used Silicone (Dot 5) brake fluid. Silicone brake fluid does not absorb moisture. I have had no issues with my brakes in all that time. Maybe a little pricey initially but I have not had to do a flush or replace parts. However Silicone brake fluid is not for everybody.

Glen

I found some DOT compatible grease meant for assembly of internal lever body and caliper parts of Avid hydraulic disc brakes for bicycles. DOT 3 is DOT 3, same fluid for a car or a bike. So I bought the last two tub of it that my parts vendor had. It's a soft kinda like lotion consistency grease, the closest analog to the little capsule of assembly lube that used to come in NAPA wheel cylinder kits way back when.

It's meant to control rust and corrosion on mountain bike brakes, a particularly muddy and moist environment, so I don't see why it won't work on a wheel cylinder too.