Greasing/ lubing Brakes

[Gebo]

Ok, when I change my disc brake pads I always clean those slider pins and lube with 3M silicone paste. No question here.

I then use 3M Copper anti-seize on the metal "ears" of the top and bottom of each pad that slides in the metal brackets on the calipers. No question here.

My question is do you apply any lubrication to the areas where the pistons press on the back of the pads? Do you apply any lubrication to the areas where the anti-squeal shims fit over the back of the pads?

 

[E150GT]

I have never applied any lubrication to the back of the pad but I see mechanics on YouTube like Eric from South main auto do. I suppose it can't hurt and it might quiet the brake down.

 

[KrisZ]

The only reason I apply a little bit of grease on the back of the pad that contacts the piston is to prevent rust in that area. I only apply the grease where the piston contacts the back of the pad.
Before I started doing this, the inside of the pistons were always rusty and had signs that water and salt were in there. Grease prevents most of the waster intrusion.

 

[BigD1]

Different procedures depending on the make and model.

Found a set of Sumitomo ceramic formula for my Toyota truck the other day cheap, and I will be replacing the organic pads because they are making way too much brake dust. I am going to use Molykote M77 between the shim and back side of the pad, and on the back of the shim just in the area where the piston/caliper contacts the shim. Will also use it on all the pad abutment points.

This is just the way I am going to do it. I could slap it all on there dry, and it would work, but it could also be a screeching/squeaking irritating pile....

 

[thrace]

Originally Posted By: Gebo
do you apply any lubrication to the areas where the pistons press on the back of the pads? Do you apply any lubrication to the areas where the anti-squeal shims fit over the back of the pads?

I do put brake lube where pistons press on pads. Last few yrs used CRC no 05359 synthetic brake and caliper grease.
Seemed to reduce brake squeal on some cars.

 

[emmett442]

I apply grease to the piston faces themselves rather than slobbering it all over the back of the pad.

I also grease (antiseize) the bracket before I install the hardware. I feel like this prevents "rust-jacking", and keeps the pad ears from becoming pinched as the bracket rusts. At least here in WI, I find that's probably the most common cause of early pad failure.

 

[Olas]

I put a thin smear of copper grease on the back of both pads to stop squeal. On the ears, brackets and slide pins too, but for smoothness not squeal.

 

[ZebRuaj]

I've always lubed inbetween the backing of the pad + shims and outside of the shims where they'll touch the piston (just like Eric of South Main Auto). Just did my father's 03 Frontier where the shims rusted thru from the piston's shape. Got some nice circular cut outs. The lube helps slow corrosion, any noise, and makes reassembly a bit easier. Downfall is if you use too much, it just attracts and stores dirt and grime.

I actually just changed my go to brake grease to the purple Extreme Permatex. I'll see how it holds up with MN weather. Still use Silicone and for the slide pins tho.

 

[supton]

I tried putting some lube onto the shims but it caused a squeal until it washed away. These days I only lube the sliding surfaces on the mounting ears.