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I am going to do a DIY brake job on my car and am trying to sort out how to lube everything. I found this helpful list of places to lube: What brake components need to be lubricated? but it does not mention what type of lubes to use.

On my car, the manual says to use silicone grease on the pins. After reading around online, it seems like every synthetic grease I find has stories about rubber bits swelling. Is the general consensus to use real silicone on the slider pins?

Also, anything metal to metal seems more lenient. Moly is popular, and some people use anti-sieze. I saw warnings against anti-seize getting dusty, and nothing really against moly. Is something with molybdenum generally recommended?

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Charles L.
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1 Answers1

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Two lubes are needed to properly lubricate caliper type brakes.

Silicone is used on the slider pins and anything that touches rubber. A generous amount that completely coats the pin, hole wall and rubber expansion boot is needed. Be sure to coat the boot lips that fit in the grooves that hold them in place, this act as a sealant. This lube will not swell rubber parts and does not dissolve in water.

A different, grease based, lubricant is used on all parts of the brake pad that touch the caliper. A thin even coat is applied to the pad ends and backing side in the areas where the piston or caliper body touch the pads. It is also advised to apply to apply a thin coat the shims on the caliper bracket where the pads ends will slide. This has two purposes. It allows the pads to move freely in the bracket which reduces both wear and noise. It also inhibits corrosion which can cause the pads to bind thus increasing noise and wear. We use this product; others are available. It must be a high temperature tolerant formula.

Brake Pad Lube

Pad lubrication is often omitted to the detriment of brake life.

Fred Wilson
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