Seal Installation and the Use of Grease

[Jandrews]

Hello,

Is there a general rule about the use of grease when installing seals? For instance, on the seal that goes into a brake caliper and surrounds the caliper piston. My question is should grease be used on the outer surface of the seal where it contacts the caliper body? It seems to help ease install without tearing the rubber, but also seems to create a tendency for that seal to pop out under pressure. In general, should the outer "body" of a seal be lubricated or should it absolutely be installed dry, or is there some middle ground here?

Thanks,

JA

[AFJuvat]

Most outside surfaces should be dry. That said, it can be a PITA to get seals in dry.

Since you are working with brakes, try lubricating it with a little brake fluid.

No oil\grease should be used on the brakes. A special grease is used during caliper assembily, and is available from Porsche, but personally, I've found it difficult to work with.

AFJuvat

[blue82coupe]

Well... A flywheel seal should installed dry, the outer edge that is. With oil on the lip that seals against the flywheel flange. Brake piston seals are installed with brake fluid. Dan