Master Apex

During brake pad replacement, I just noticed that one of my front brake piston rubber boot is cracked. There is no leak but is it still ok to track the car?

How do you replace or rebuild the piston seal/boot?

Thanks.

Fast Driver

Did you mean this rubber crack like this:




If so, I think it is ok as long as there is no leak.

macr88

It is ok but make sure you clean the piston before pushing it back in when you replace the pads.

TKim103

i would say no

Master Apex

Yes, that is what it looks like.

Why not TKim103?

bellwilliam

umm. racing calipers don't have boot.
my S brake boot was gone less than 24 hours after I bought it (track it next day). never bothered with it.

Elistan

I've had to rebuild calipers on two different S2000s because they each had a brake seize due to grit getting onto a brake piston because of torn boots. Happened on the highway on one, and I'm surprised the resulting heat didn't ruin anything - I pulled over quickly enough, thankfully. Had to limp home - and I was on my way to an autocross.

It's kind of a PITA getting it all put back together, but no special tools are needed and it's really cheap.

Part 1, less than $20.

Voodoo_S2K

It is okay to track the car, but I would get the seal replaced sooner than later.

TKim103

I have no personal experience of them failing on the track, but I've had a brake piston boot crack before on my E36 M3. The small parts of the piston started to rust and eventually stuck and braking became a nightmare (uneven brake bias between the two front brakes).

Just something I wouldn't do. I never go to the track unless my car was at 100% because small issues become more amplified at track speeds.

Elistan

Picture of the damage from the grit: