If you consider where to apply brake pad grease, you might think it is ironic because greasing brakes beats their functionality. Since brakes rely on friction in order to function properly.
There is a lot to learn about brake pad grease. For example,
- How to use the brake pad grease.
- The Importance of brake pad grease.
- Parts of the vehicle brake system.
How to apply brake pad grease.
Under this section we will look into where to apply brake pad grease. Secondly; how to do it correctly in order not to sabotage the vehicle’s brake system.
a] Where to apply brake pad grease.
Your focus should be on every moving part of the brake system set-up. These are the parts that get the lubrication. Some of the parts that get it include;
- Brake caliper slides.
- Pins.
- Bushings.
- Parking brake hose cables and linkages.
- The point of Contact where the brake pads slide within the caliper housing.
- Self adjusting locking brake calipers on rear disc brakes.
- The back of a bare brake pad.
b] How to apply brake pad grease.
This will involve an understanding of the amount of brake lube to use. Additionally, you will need to know the parts of the brake assembly that do not need brake lube.
Additionally, you will require knowledge about the different types of brake pad lube that are suitable for lubrication. For example Anti-seize lubricant and Silicone based brake lube.
Where not to apply brake pad grease.
There are different areas that should not come in contact with the brake lube. They depend on whether you are using drum brakes or disc brakes or both.
a] Disc brakes.
- Do not apply brake lube between pads and noise suppression shims.
- Secondly, do not apply lubrication on the friction facet of the brake lining.
b] Drum brakes.
- Never use brake shoe lubricant inside the drum where the brake shoes come in contact with drum.
Where to apply brake pad grease
The parts on which this lubricant is applied vary depending on the brake set-up.
a] Disc brakes
- Apply the lubricant between the brake caliper pistons and the disc brake pads.
- Secondly, apply little amounts of break lube between the caliper and pad shim.
- Thirdly, use little amounts on the back of a bare pad.
- Further, you will have to lubricate the hydraulic brake system components. These are inclusive of piston seals in the wheel cylinder and calipers.
b] Drum brakes.
The drum brakes are regularly used in the rear wheels. There is a theory that they are less efficient than the disc brakes. Especially when you apply emergency brake.
The parking brake uses the rear drum brakes. These are some of the areas you need to apply brake pad grease on drum brakes.
- Brake cables/hose.
- Parking brake linkage.
- Adjustable star wheel.
- Hinge joints.
Functions of brake pads grease.
If you think about it from a basic point of view, grease is very essential in the reduction of friction. The breaks functionality depends on friction.
That’s how they are able to stop a moving wheel. So where does the brake pads grease come in?
Firstly, it has to be a really special type of grease with stuff like anti-squeal compound amongst others. Secondly, it’s temperature resistance should be very high.
In order to avoid any melting which would make it unreliable. Other functions of the brake pad grease include;
- It prevents rusting of the brake calipers, pins, bushings, disc brakes with locking calipers and others.
- Ensures that brake pads move quietly within the brake calipers without sticking or binding.
- Prevents corrosion.
- Decreases vibrations between the caliper pistons and disc brake pads.
Parts of the vehicle brake system.
It is essential for you to understand the parts that make up the brake system. Especially when undertaking brake pad replacement or lubrication. Lack of brake parts lubrication is one of the reasons why the car is squeaking.
Because dry brake parts grind against each other instead of gliding smoothly on top of each other. Some of the parts of a brake system are inclusive of;
- Brake rotors and drums.
Brake pads or brake shoes press against these areas stop or to slow down the car
- Brake pedal.
Usually activates the brake mechanism when the driver presses against it.
- Brake lines and brake hose.
They carry the brake fluid from the master cylinder and deliver it to brake calipers or wheel cylinder.
- Master Cylinder.
Converts force from the brake pedal to hydraulic pressure.
- Calipers or wheel cylinder.
They are activated by the hydraulic pressure from the brake lines. They push the brake pads or brake shoes against the brake rotors or drum.
