Caliper piston seal (boot) wrinkled

[trioptimum]

Hey guys . I have a slight problem; my caliper piston seals/boots on both front claipers have become 'wrinkled'... no tears or leaks that I can see... the seals were fine ~6 months ago and the braking performance seems fine to me.

Any ideas what could have caused this? Is it time to replace the calipers, or does anyone make seal kits (and where can I get them)?

Anyone have experience doing a caliper/seal replacement? I've never unhooked the things for fear of getting air bubbles in the line.

Thanks everyone ^_^.

BTW, here's a quick diagram of the problem:

[Wang2k]

hmm...maybe just wrinkled from being pushed in after being way out? If its not leaking or making it bind i wouldnt worry about it.

[Wang2k]

ps a (real) pic would be nice

[trioptimum]

My hands were so dirty I didn't dare touch my camera . It's basically the same as in the drawing... the seal around the piston is just wrinkled up like that.

It was like that before I pushed the piston back today so that wasn't the cause, and last time I changed the pads I checked it after about 500 miles or so and it was fine then. Nobody else has touched the brakes... maybe they were warped by excessive heat?

Edit: I'm worried if I replace the seal it will happen again (it's a weird thing to happen - never heard of it before), so any ideas as to a potential cause are welcome...

[Wang2k]

hmm...i mean unless its leaking, the seal is doing its job, it doesnt matter if it looks like that. I seem to remember mine being not so pretty. heat from the brakes over time could have caused it.

[JavaJoe_2]

Brake fluid is very hard on rubber materials.
Just see what happens when it gets on paint.
I personally would replace them, even if they are not leaking.
In an emergency, brakes can be helpful.
Although, I hate to use them anytime.

[trioptimum]

Anyone know if replacement seals are sold anywhere? I can't find anything online, but I'll call around tomorrow. I've no idea how to replace a seal either ><.

Oh well, it should be ok for a few weeks until I can afford remanufactured calipers, worst case scenario...

Thanks again .

[JavaJoe_2]

It looks like you can buy a overhaul kit, but not sure Partznet.com was vague in the description.
I would call.
I assume that the cylinders in the calipers are OK, so I would just overhaul these.
Rebuilt or new calipers are WAY too pricey for me.

[variant]

on the subject of calipers theres a noise coming out of my front left, as if something is scraping, anyone know what it could be? i took of the tires and spun the rotor myself and im sure its coming from somewhere in that area, don't know what to do.