So I Used the Honda OEM Pad Provided Grease Packet on Slide Pins...

[ZeroCool929]

Hello all, first post but definitely not new to the forum - learned a lot over the years here.

I replaced the brakes on my wife's CRV for the first time yesterday and went with OEM pads. Job went smoothly overall but as I was preparing to help my FIL with his brakes in the near future, I read something that now has me concerned.

The OEM pads came with a packet of dark grease. I assumed that this grease was to be used with all components of the brakes (else, why include it?), and I used it to lubricate the slide pins. I've always used Syl-Glide everywhere (including the pins) in the past but, again, figured Honda wouldn't have included it if they didn't want it used.

Since then, I've been reading back and forth that this grease is NOT intended for the slide pins. Ugh...

How bad did I mess up here? Does anyone know what type of grease that is and if it will cause damage to the braking system or any kind of failure? Do I need to get it out of there asap or is it unlikely to cause issues?

For what it's worth, brakes are working wonderfully thus far with a test drive. No noise at all and very smooth. Just feeling a little stressed as this is the vehicle my wife and kids are in daily... would probably care a whole lot less if it was my car.

 

[kschachn]

Do you have an FSM for the car? Honda generally shows what kind of grease to use and where to apply it.

 

[ZeroCool929]

Unfortunately not... haven't needed one up until this point and have done quite a few (non-Honda) brake jobs in the past without this being an issue. Had the **** Syl-Glide sitting right next to me too (as I was prepared to use it).

Was hoping someone could tell me a bit more definitively than what I've been reading if my concerns are justified or if I'm simply over-reacting.

 

[zzyzzx]

Does the grease packet have a part number on it?

 

[Urshurak776]

I don't think the grease packet is meant for the slide pins. That being said, if you're in the south (i.e. no salting of the roads in winter) probably not a big deal.

If you think you need to clean and re-grease, shouldn't be too difficult to do one pin at a time and re-torque.

I use syl-glide for everything dealing with brakes. Ears, back of pad and slide pins. I live in South Carolina, so probably not an issue anyway. Never had a problem.

I watch Eric O on South Main Auto (youtube channel.) He is outside of Buffalo New york. Lots of salt on roads. He has a million brake job videos. He greases the back of the pad, the slide pins and puts grease UNDER the pad clip. He doesn't do the ears of the pads. He cleans everything really good before assembly also. In the south, we don't have these issues.

 

[Hall]

Since then, I've been reading back and forth that this grease is NOT intended for the slide pins. Ugh...

Where ? In most cases, you're probably just reading people's opinions.

 

[Kira]

Something makes me think you're not going to have any problem.

 

[Jetronic]

Hello all, first post but definitely not new to the forum - learned a lot over the years here.

I replaced the brakes on my wife's CRV for the first time yesterday and went with OEM pads. Job went smoothly overall but as I was preparing to help my FIL with his brakes in the near future, I read something that now has me concerned.

The OEM pads came with a packet of dark grease. I assumed that this grease was to be used with all components of the brakes (else, why include it?), and I used it to lubricate the slide pins. I've always used Syl-Glide everywhere (including the pins) in the past but, again, figured Honda wouldn't have included it if they didn't want it used.

Since then, I've been reading back and forth that this grease is NOT intended for the slide pins. Ugh...

How bad did I mess up here? Does anyone know what type of grease that is and if it will cause damage to the braking system or any kind of failure? Do I need to get it out of there asap or is it unlikely to cause issues?

For what it's worth, brakes are working wonderfully thus far with a test drive. No noise at all and very smooth. Just feeling a little stressed as this is the vehicle my wife and kids are in daily... would probably care a whole lot less if it was my car.

slide pin grease will only ever be included if you buy new slide pins or boots. I never tried to use that grease on the rubber boots, but if it's petroleum based it WILL cause issues.

 

[Nukeman7]

Hello all, first post but definitely not new to the forum - learned a lot over the years here.

I replaced the brakes on my wife's CRV for the first time yesterday and went with OEM pads. Job went smoothly overall but as I was preparing to help my FIL with his brakes in the near future, I read something that now has me concerned.

The OEM pads came with a packet of dark grease. I assumed that this grease was to be used with all components of the brakes (else, why include it?), and I used it to lubricate the slide pins. I've always used Syl-Glide everywhere (including the pins) in the past but, again, figured Honda wouldn't have included it if they didn't want it used.

I will advise that you remove the caliper slide pins, clean them and the channels out with brake cleaner, dry them off with compressed air, and re-lube/re-assemble the slide pins with Sil-Glyde. The concern is that the lower pins in Hondas have a rubber sleeve/collar that will swell up and bind voraciously when exposed to regular (lithium/petroleum based) grease. The fact that the packet contained dark grease suggests it is likely a lithium-based Moly fortified grease.

This issue is very well documented on many of the Honda & Toyota forums, as well as on BITOG. There have been occasions where I had to use a propane torch to melt the swollen rubber collar to extract the respective slide pin on a Honda. The grease will also cause the accordion dust boots to soften and expand.

 

[zzyzzx]

what grease did honda give me?

i bought some oem brake pads from acura and they gave me this package of grease and im not sure if its for the caliper slide pin or for the shims...anyone have any an idea?

bobistheoilguy.com

 

[JeffKeryk]

Maybe clean and lightly Sil-Glide the slide pins and channel. You'll sleep better.

 

[ZeroCool929]

Thanks all for the replies... it sounds like the safest bet would be to get it out of there. Very frustrating because my Spidey sense was tingling but I just went with it as I was exhausted and assumed Honda wouldn't include something they didn't want used. Was hoping to hear differently but I knew deep down inside that probably wasn't going to happen.

Even more frustrating is that cleaning pins and channel isn't so bad but my car working space requires lots of shuffling and prep so this is going to take hours out of my life to correct

Does the grease packet have a part number on it?

Not that I see, but it is apparently pretty well accepted to be Honda M77 moly grease.

I don't think the grease packet is meant for the slide pins. That being said, if you're in the south (i.e. no salting of the roads in winter) probably not a big deal.

If you think you need to clean and re-grease, shouldn't be too difficult to do one pin at a time and re-torque.

I use syl-glide for everything dealing with brakes. Ears, back of pad and slide pins. I live in South Carolina, so probably not an issue anyway. Never had a problem.

I watch Eric O on South Main Auto (youtube channel.) He is outside of Buffalo New york. Lots of salt on roads. He has a million brake job videos. He greases the back of the pad, the slide pins and puts grease UNDER the pad clip. He doesn't do the ears of the pads. He cleans everything really good before assembly also. In the south, we don't have these issues.

I'm in southern PA. Not nearly as bad as further north but we do get winters and salted roads. I also normally use Syl-Glide on everything but, again, assumed Honda wanted this stuff used.

Where ? In most cases, you're probably just reading people's opinions.

Understood. Mostly on various Honda and Acura forums. Some people said they used it and others said it should definitely not be used on the slide pins.

I will advise that you remove the caliper slide pins, clean them and the channels out with brake cleaner, dry them off with compressed air, and re-lube/re-assemble the slide pins with Sil-Glyde. The concern is that the lower pins in Hondas have a rubber sleeve/collar that will swell up and bind voraciously when exposed to regular (lithium/petroleum based) grease. The fact that the packet contained dark grease suggests it is likely a lithium-based Moly fortified grease.

This issue is very well documented on many of the Honda & Toyota forums, as well as on BITOG. There have been occasions where I had to use a propane torch to melt the swollen rubber collar to extract the respective slide pin on a Honda. The grease will also cause the accordion dust boots to soften and expand.

Thanks and makes sense. This is probably the most compelling response to make the change that I've seen. Think it's ok for a few days (when I'm off for the holiday) or is this an immediate need to avoid damage type of situation?

what grease did honda give me?

i bought some oem brake pads from acura and they gave me this package of grease and im not sure if its for the caliper slide pin or for the shims...anyone have any an idea?

bobistheoilguy.com

Thanks for this. Didn't see this one in my search but seems to align well with "you shouldn't use that on the pins".

 

[Nukeman7]

Thanks all for the replies... it sounds like the safest bet would be to get it out of there.


Thanks and makes sense. This is probably the most compelling response to make the change that I've seen. Think it's ok for a few days (when I'm off for the holiday) or is this an immediate need to avoid damage type of situation?


Thanks for this. Didn't see this one in my search but seems to align well with "you shouldn't use that on the pins".

It will be fine as long as you get it out in the next week or so and clean everything with brake cleaner. While heat probably makes the grease more likely to leach into the rubber parts, it really takes weeks or months for it to swell up to where it will bind the slide pins.

 

[zzyzzx]

Not that I see, but it is apparently pretty well accepted to be Honda M77 moly grease.

As a reference:

Amazon.com

 

[Rand]

You dont mention the vehicle. specifically the year.
you might consider replacing the caliper guide pins(the ones with rubber) and the seals.. but a good clean is probably ok.
I usually use brake cleaner and a thin rag that I fish around in the caliper pin hole.
Then a few blasts and let air dry or use compressed air on it.

I also use sil-glyde on pins and nothing else.
I have a lubricating paste called Pastelub that I use on pad ears etc.

Pastelub™ Synthetic Hi-Temp Brake Lubricant | BPL-2400

Pastelub High-Temp Lubricant from Goodson is OE recommended and won't melt, rub or wash off brake parts. No silicone or petroleum products.

goodson.com

There are definitely other ways that work. But I have confidence in what I do at least for the vehicles I work on.

 

[ZeroCool929]

You dont mention the vehicle. specifically the year.
you might consider replacing the caliper guide pins(the ones with rubber) and the seals.. but a good clean is probably ok.
I usually use brake cleaner and a thin rag that I fish around in the caliper pin hole.
Then a few blasts and let air dry or use compressed air on it.

I also use sil-glyde on pins and nothing else.
I have a lubricating paste called Pastelub that I use on pad ears etc.

Pastelub™ Synthetic Hi-Temp Brake Lubricant | BPL-2400

Pastelub High-Temp Lubricant from Goodson is OE recommended and won't melt, rub or wash off brake parts. No silicone or petroleum products.

goodson.com

There are definitely other ways that work. But I have confidence in what I do at least for the vehicles I work on.

I mentioned CRV but did for get the year. Its a 2019.

Plan is to remove pins, flush pins and pin holes heavily with brake clean and re-assemble with a healthy dose of Sil-Glyde. Anything else I'm missing?

 

[The Critic]

I mentioned CRV but did for get the year. Its a 2019.

Plan is to remove pins, flush pins and pin holes heavily with brake clean and re-assemble with a healthy dose of Sil-Glyde. Anything else I'm missing?

Nothing. Just clean it out and re-grease with silicone paste.

 

[ZeroCool929]

Just an update to the group - completed this work today. Took my time (about 2 hours total) cleaning the boots, pins and pin holes. Multiple brake clean flushes on each, cleaning out with a brush, screwdriver with a rag, etc...

Then re-greased all the pad mating surfaces since I was worried the brake clean flushes took off the original layer.

In the end, there was zero noticeable traces of the dark grease (though I'm sure remnants remain).

I'll call it a job done for now but will know the culprit if the rubber ends of the lower pins are swollen or damaged at next change.

Thanks for everyone who replied - made me realize that it was better to just do what I knew had to be done and get it over with.

 

[Nukeman7]

Just an update to the group - completed this work today. Took my time (about 2 hours total) cleaning the boots, pins and pin holes. Multiple brake clean flushes on each, cleaning out with a brush, screwdriver with a rag, etc...

Then re-greased all the pad mating surfaces since I was worried the brake clean flushes took off the original layer.

In the end, there was zero noticeable traces of the dark grease (though I'm sure remnants remain).

I'll call it a job done for now but will know the culprit if the rubber ends of the lower pins are swollen or damaged at next change.

Thanks for everyone who replied - made me realize that it was better to just do what I knew had to be done and get it over with.

Good job...what you did today proactively prevented any damage to the rubber parts. Now that they have been cleaned and re-lubed with Sil-Glyde, no need to worry about the rubber seals swelling in the future.

 

[scotty.honda.dog]

The grease included with the pads is M77 moly grease intended for:
between the pad backing plate and the “shim” plate
pad ears and their mating surface on the caliper (ss clips).
I put it on very thin coat and I buy my own tube of it since the ketchup packets are hard to use and often dried out if pads have been on the shelf a while.
Per the Honda service specs, the pins and boots are to be lubricated with their clear silicone grease.
I stick with that, have done lots of brake jobs on my Hondas.

That said, I have had some done in the past where the shop used something else (grey/black) on the pins and boots and it was fine for a while. I dont know if it was the M77 moly grease or something else.