Do you know that brake pads require lubrication to function at their optimum, and the back of pads is essential to grease?
Let’s break the logic down; you see, the back of pads is the embryo of the non-metal part of the braking system. It’s this part that abates the heat that emanates as a result of the relative contact pads have with rotors.
In fact, the pad is among the braking system components that screech when you aren’t considerate enough about the lubrication. The components that make up the back of pads are the caliper slides, pins, brake cables, linkages, and many more, and they all require lubrication specifically.
Furthermore, note that the cleaning precedes the greasing on every part of the pad; the improper greasing could make one’s efforts futile, and that’s what you want to avoid. Indeed, that’s why you’d want to find out how to use brake grease on the back of pads with this piece. Of course, the rotor is one of the braking systems you want to avoid for greasing.
You want some sensitive parts to have no grease to avoid redundancy as the entire braking system relatively contacts each other. Not only that, as an enthusiast, you want to find out the next point below.
Should You Grease Brake Pad Slides?
Brake pads have moving parts. Ensure you grease all the moving parts of the brake pads to avoid corrosion, which could retard the smoothness in their respective contacts.
You wouldn’t want to use sticky grease on this side, especially. Why? That’s because you want to ensure nothing tempers with the slide pins, caliper bushing, and the entirety of the abutment clips.
Moreover, applying grease on this part is unique and should be done with full discreetness. On the other hand, the brake caliper slides don’t have to be lubed often because abstinence from this within an interval of time won’t be hazardous. All you have to do is be on guard.
What Happens if You Don’t Grease Brake Pads?
- Brake pads attain high temperatures, and that makes friction effects to be visible. Therefore, not greasing it is accruing the results by making it squeal.
- The pads begin to screech, and the edges on the moving sides gradually wear off. This would affect the performance of the pads immensely.
- There’s a vibration that occurs between disc brake pads and caliper pistons; not lubing the pad could intensify the rate of vibration in this medium.
- It could lead to the quick spoilage of the pad, which would cost you a lot of expenses. Therefore, the only way to maintain this part of the vehicle is to grease it rightly.
- Corrosion would creep into the brake pad, and the back of the pad will be shredding off gradually.
What Kind of Grease to Use on Back of Brake Pads?
There are enormous options out there, but you’re to avoid dry, sticky, and watery greases, at least too many of them. Choose recommended brake greases that fit your manufacturer’s preference.
Nevertheless, the conventional ones used on the rubberized brake parts are silicone-based and synthetic greases.
Use oily lubes like graphite grease for the metal-to-metal parts of the brake pads. Meanwhile, this is because silicone can deal with temperature climax of about 212 degrees Fahrenheit and that’s why it’s recommended for the synthetic part of the pad.
Greases constituting molybdenum and graphite could withstand high temperatures up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit, and that’s why it’s recommended to rub the metal part of the pad.
Should You Put Copper Grease on the Back of Brake Pads?
Copper grease conducts heat excellently, so it’s often used on the metal-to-metal part of the brake pad. Also, it’s waterproof grease that’s anti-seize and could withstand up to 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
However, not all mechanics recommend the use of copper greases. Copper grease is assumed to lack explicit lubricating properties. Meanwhile, you wouldn’t want to apply the brake grease, which drips incessantly; it could be hazardous, you know?
Nevertheless, if you’re left with no choice other than copper grease, apply it sparingly between the pad shim and the caliper or on the back of the bare pads.
Avoid using copper grease in the middle of pads or noise suppressing shims, but you can put the lightweight grease inside the brake pads.
Can You Use Normal Grease on Brake Pads?
Brake pads feature various compartments, and each compartment requires separate lubrication methods. Even if you’re using regular grease but can’t withstand high temperatures, it won’t function as it ought.
The metal surface of a brake pad uses conductive grease because of its ability to deal with high temperatures. The hydraulic part of the pad uses light grease because silicone-based grease and the rest dry quickly.
In a nutshell, the compartments have various needs, and they all must be satisfied using the right grease type.
How to Grease on Back of Pads? 5 Steps
- The parts you’re to grease on drum brake pads are brake linkage, adjuster mechanisms, the backing plate pads, and the parking brake cables. While the parts you’re to grease on your disc brake pads are linkage and parking brake cables, pins, bushing, caliper slides, contact points, locking calipers, and rear disc brakes.
- Clean the brake pads with the bristle of a brush. Allow the dirt to be displaced before you apply the grease.
- Check the part of the back of the pad that you can grease. Don’t grease the middle of the drum brake pads or the rotor to avoid underperformance of any form.
- Apply the grease sparingly and evenly distribute the grease across the expected points. Don’t over-apply it on surfaces.
- Use suitable grease for the right spot to get the best result.
Final Words
This is how to apply grease on pads and get the correct result. The cleaning is as essential as getting the lubricant right. As long as all these are implemented, you’re definitely good to go. Apply the grease as you’re instructed here, and you’ll have the best result.
