Brake pistons
Ivan - 9/5/07 at 03:35 PM
I've just had some pistons made up in SS but a firm offered to make them up in Al which I rejected but it's niggling at me (the weight
saving that is)
Please tell me what the downside of aluminium pistons are.
nick205 - 9/5/07 at 03:50 PM
I guess the main concern would be longevity of Ally pistons over stainless ones? Although hard anodising would help with that.
Do Wilwood and the likes fit Ally pistons in their Ally bodied calipers?
flak monkey - 9/5/07 at 04:05 PM
quote:
Originally posted by nick205
Do Wilwood and the likes fit Ally pistons in their Ally bodied calipers?
No, they are stainless in all high performance applications.
The main problem with using aluminium pistons will be heat transfer. Aluminium transfers heat very efficiently, far more so than stainless. So if the
brakes start getting warm you will soon cook the fluid.
Ally will also not tolerate road dirt for long as its very soft, and will be very prone to oxidation.
You are safe with stainless, so stick with it.
If you are that worried about weight, I would suggest you find somewhere better to lose a few grams (thats all it will be!).
David
[Edited on 9/5/07 by flak monkey]
blakep82 - 9/5/07 at 08:07 PM
i'm guessing the weight saving would be minimal anyway? the pistons are only tine aren't they?