Girling 14LF rebuild question

[Ralph Z.]

I am rebuilding the Girling 14LF calipers on my Alexis MK 14. The calipers are not currently using the rubber dust boot. The rebuild kit includes the dust boot. Is it recommended to use the dust boot in this application?

Your thoughts?

Many thanks,
Ralph

[Will Velkoff]

I asked the same question the first time I rebuild my calipers, which were also Girling 14LF's. The consensus on the rubber dust boots was "hell no".

[marshall9]

Not needed

[kea]

Real race calipers do not have "Dust Seals".
Discard.

[145inmy73]

Hey guys. I jut came across this thread. I just rebuilt my Girling14F calipers last season and installed the dust boots as I just assumed they would need to go on as they came with the kit. What is the reason that you would not install the dust boots?

[Bob L.]

One more thing to screw up. Get hot, melt, trap water while long periods of sitting...etc... besides less weight!

[Brian Forster]

I put them in. Why not have the protection before they do get brittle and then ineffective?
I'm a rebel; I also took the two halves apart to hone/clean the cylinders while servicing...

[kea]

I put them in. Why not have the protection before they do get brittle and then ineffective?
I'm a rebel; I also took the two halves apart to hone/clean the cylinders while servicing...

As noted, you do not want the dust seals on a caliper used for racing, as the increased heat of racing pad materials can cause them to get brittle and interfere with the pistons, quicker then in a street application.

Secondly, why did you "hone the bores"?
The pistons on that caliper ride on the seals, not the seals in the bore. Get the bore too large and then you have pistons that want to cock and cause other issues.

[Brian Forster]

I shouldn't have said 'honed'. Cleaned really, with Scotchbrite. I wanted clean bores to go with the new pistons...