- Joined
- Mar 18, 2006
- Messages
- 2,835
- Age
- 70
- Location
- Ilkley, W Yorkshire, UK
- Bike
- 2013 ST1300 A9
- 2024 Miles
- 000679
- STOC #
- 2570
Yes, I replaced the 3 rear calliper joining bolts an the front caliper mount bolts both sides. The banjo union brake line bolts (oil bolt) do not need to be replaced according to my 2002 shop manual.I'm finally down the home stretch with my brake system rebuild. SMC is rebuilt, rear caliper is cleaned and all new seals are in, even found some silicon grease. Then I took one more look at the manual and noticed that I should be replacing bolts. Lots of them. Along with sealing washers. I'm not cheap but when all was totaled, it came to over 100 bucks!!! So my question is, who among all that have done this stuff has replaced these bolts? The washers I understand but the bolts are hard for me to swallow.
Personally, I tend not to replace the mounting bolts every time - maybe every other time - I clean them up, inspect the threads and apply thread locking compound - but the manual is very clear - replace with new. I always have a complete new set in stock, but I cannot recommend following my bad example. Ditto the rear caliper stopper bolts. These bolts are described as ALOC - but none of the Honda dealers know what this stands for. The suggestion is just they have thread lock compound already in place. The rear master cylinder mounting bolt 12Nm/9ftlb is an ALOC bolt and I can't think of any reason why that (other than thread locking) should have any special qualities. But these are just my own thoughts and since I am making big assumptions. Follow the manual is the best advice.
The banjo union crush washers also need to be replaced with new each time. I buy them from the local dealer who uses copper crush washers for a few pence each - but I ordered 20 for the front SMC and rear caliper. Like the oil sump bolt, they deform when they are tightened and if they are to provide a leak proof seal, must be replaced. People say that they clean them up and re-use - but they cannot then mould themselves into the casting or the bolt head as they will not crush any more. The answer with these is always to have a few in stock.
The bolts for the two caliper halves of the rear caliper: I know that some cylinder head bolts are use once only stretch bolts, so they are deformed by the action of tightening to the correct torque. I thought it was possible that these bolts were like that - but I have no way of knowing if this is the case. I just fitted new.
There's one way of looking at the expense of stuff like this. I change my oil every 4-6K miles. I use fully synth, and I can tell from the feel of the engine when it is time to change again. The point is that 4litres (UK) of fully synth oil costs around £36. After which it gets thrown away. Same with fuel. I have to fit new fuel every 280 miles or so, the Honda ST1300 disposes of it as it wears out. But a new fuel costs around £35 each time. Fortunately it is a spare part that is quite easy to obtain, and I'm happy to use non-OEM stuff for that.
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