Rebuilding calipers with silicon grease?

[David]

I saw a post where someone recommended using Sil-Glide on the brake caliper seals. Is Sil-Glide just silicon o-ring lubricant or is it something special for brakes? Has anyone had any problems using this over just brake fluid?

[masraum]

Brake fluid worked fine for me, but then I was just rebuilding regular old brakes, not "Turbo" brakes!

[David]

I've always used brake fluid in the past, but with the high humidity down here in Houston and since the car sits idle so much of the time I'm wondering if the silicon lubricant will help the seals last longer.

[Zeke]

I used the stuff on my S calipers, but I knew that they were going to sit on the car for a few months before fluid and use. I have to say that I liked it since I tore an O ring on the first attempt before I started using it.

[Early_S_Man]

I have been using Dow Corning 4 (or 4X -- no longer available) since 1969, both with glycol-based AND silicone brake fluids, and have never had a brake system loss-of-pressure failure on any vehicle on which I rebuilt master cylinder, wheel cylinders, or calipers using the silicone grease!

The nice thing about using silicone grease with glycol brake fluid ... is that the silicone stays in place [not miscible with glycol] where you put it, and continues to protect the piston and cylinder surface and seals for years and years!