To effectively apply brake pad grease, there are a few things that need to catch your attention. Firstly, apply grease on the back of the brake pads. Secondly, if you want to eliminate squealing the type of brakes you’re using. The different brakes have unique components, design and methods of operation which you must understand. Secondly, the types of lubricants to use because they react differently to each brake’s component materials.
Cars have two major types of brakes. Both of them use the kinetic energy of movement to assist in reduction of speed. Whenever you step on the brake pedal, the speed of the wheels is reduced proportionally to the amount of pressure you put on the pedal.
Types of car brakes.
The system uses two types of brakes that are either the drum brake or the disc brake. The car brakes serve the same purpose but their design is how you can tell them apart. Further, their costs also make a difference amongst them in the market. Because the disc brakes are more expensive than the drum brake.
It is possible to install both of them within the same vehicle. whereby the front wheels have a different set of brakes from the back wheels. It makes the process of speed reduction much more effective.
Disc brakes
This one has brake pads that apply pressure to a rotating disc [rotor] to slow and stop the vehicle. This is the most common brake amongst the two. Their design is meant to cater for the amount of heat produced when the brake pedal is pressed.
Further, the disc brake is placed on the front wheel axel because of its ability to withstand pressure and heat. Their functionality of brake pads is made possible by the ceramic or metallic materials. These help to produce friction and to withstand heat during the instances where brakes are applied.
Advantages of disc brakes.
- Their design gives them a superior braking capability. Even during wet weather, the brake pad keeps the water away from the disc. This ensures the friction capacity is not interfered with.
- They have higher heat resistance which makes them last for a longer period. Further, it makes them perfect for the front wheels because of the high amount of stress experienced here during braking.
- They are available in a variety to suit different types of driving requirements. Even for the race track.
Drum brakes.
This is the oldest form of braking system used since the introduction of cars. They have been outdated over time after the introduction of the disc brakes. Though you will find the brake shoe and drum brakes in some older and smaller car models.
Their design involves the brake shoes rubbing against the drum brakes which creates friction for speed reduction. The are curved metallic brake shoes that have a friction material coating which provides necessary friction during braking. Further, the friction material coating is meant for reducing wear and tear.
Advantages of the drum brakes.
- They are cost friendly.
- Secondly, they are environment friendly because of the possibility to recycle them after they wear out. Manufacturers can use a worn out drum brake to create new ones.
How to effectively apply Brake Pad Grease.
Buy the right brake lubricant at the same time that you’re buying new rotors and pads. The right lubricant will depend on the areas that you’re about to lubricate.
Drum brake lubrication.
People often install drum brakes on the rear wheels rather than the front wheels. Because the front wheels undergo more friction and vibrations which are better handled by disc brakes.
- Backing plate. First, use a grinding wheel to lightly sand the small ridges where the shoe sits. Afterwards you can apply a reasonable amount of brake grease.
- Adjustable star-wheel. This is the area that separates the shoes and it should be lubricated because it’s susceptible to extreme temperatures.
- Parking brake cable and any linkages or moving parts. The parking brake uses the rear wheels drum brakes. For this reason, it’s necessary for you to lubricate the cable, linkages and moving parts for effectiveness when applying parking brakes.
- Moving parts of the brake that involve metal to metal contact.
Disc brake lubrication.
Since they function and are designed differently from the drum brakes, they have different point of lubrication. Note that you should never put the lubricant on rotors or inside the pads where both of them come into contact. Additionally, avoid using dry film lubricant in areas that have rubber or plastic.
- Small caliper screws. They are at the top and bottom side and they hold the caliper in place.
- Caliper bushing. This is the part that moves the caliper back and forth when you hit the brake pedal. It is susceptible to extreme temperatures and can undergo oxidation causing it to freeze up. Further, this will make it to fail.
- Point of contact where the caliper rides the rotor ON THE FRAME. The caps show the significance of understanding the exact area you need to lubricate. You will find that the frame area might have some wear and tear marks. Make sure that you sand it a little with a grinder before lubricating the area.
- Where there is metallic contact involving sliding, movement, and rotation should be lubricated. For example, where pads slide inside the caliper housing.
Anti seize vs brake lube.
These two are important lubricants that ensure parts within the vehicles braking system operate as required. For some reason; when ignored, the moving parts of the braking system tend to start screeching, jamming, and overheating. Other parts start bonding together to an extent that you can’t disconnect them. Remember that parts of the brakes require different types of lubricants. One type of lubricant cannot match every part.
Comparison between anti-seize and brake grease lube.
The two can own unique levels of functionality and one can choose from either of them.
The anti-seize brake lubricant is capable of withstanding extremely high temperature and heavy loads. But, the issue is that it does not do well when it comes to withstanding high friction. Further, anti-seize lubricant cannot be used for the fast moving parts of the brake assembly.
The brake grease on the other hand does not do well when there is extreme heat temperatures. Though it is able to withstand high temperatures, it doesn’t do this as well as anti-seize lubricants. Further, there is the fact that it’s not recommended for heavy carriers. simply because brake grease isn’t built to withstand the continuous pressure and increased friction that comes from heavy loads.
What is brake pad grease lubricant.
Applying grease lubricant is against logic because the effectiveness of the brakes depends on friction. But, brake pad grease actually makes the operation of the brake assembly more effective. That’s because there are a lot of moving parts of the brake system that need lubrication. Further the brake pad grease reduces the wear and tear experienced over time.
Brake pad grease is a modified lubricant that is meant to satisfy specific lubrication needs of the braking system. The large amounts of heat produced by brakes may melt away other types of lubricants. Modern vehicles use the hydraulic braking system made up of plastic and rubber sealing components. For this reason the petroleum based lubricants cannot work. Because they will cause damage to the components.
What is brake grease used for?
Brakes require proper lubrication for them to work well. The lubricant is not applied directly onto the brake pads. Other moving parts within the brake system require the application of a lubricant. It assists the parts to work effectively during turning, rotation, bearing pressure and sliding.
Sometimes, when brake lubrication is ignored, you will notice a squealing sound whenever you press the brake pedal. Further, the lubricant reduces pad to rotor vibrations during instant braking. Hence improving the braking distance.
How does brake grease do this? The caliper finger touches the brake pad during braking to create a vibration of the brake pad. This vibration gives out some high pitch sound. However, applying the brake grease on the caliper finger creates a boundary layer. The layer prevents the vibrations from leaving the caliper. Additionally, brake grease helps to reduce wear and tear of the braking system components.
Types of grease for brake pads.
- Dry Film lubricants. They are good for lubricating brake components that are metallic and move, rotate, slide or vibrate alongside each other. These lubricants can be made up of either molybdenum disulfide or graphite
- Silicone-based or synthetic non-petroleum lubricants. They are suitable for areas of the braking system that consist of plastic and rubber components.
- Polyalphaolefin (PAO). It works by making assembly work more competent and also lubricating brake seals. Further, it offers superior rust protection during wet whether so that the brake systems work accordingly. Further, this brake lubricant is capable of offering increased lubrication properties by assimilating different amounts of graphite, Teflon and moly, graphite, and Teflon which increase its lubricating properties.
What is Anti Seize lubricant.
The types of anti-seize brake lubricants are suitable for different areas of the brake assembly. Meaning that there isn’t one that can be used for the entire brake assembly parts. This lubricant is capable of withstanding high temperatures and heavy loads. So if you’re using your vehicle to transport heavy loads then this is the lubricant for your brakes.
Additionally, anti-seize lubricants are made up of modified metal components. These make them highly heat resistant. Further, this modification makes anti-seize lubricants thicker than grease. Which means they are able to stay onto the brake parts for a longer time without washing off.
Types of anti-seize.
- Silver grade anti-seize. This lubricant is usually applied to protect against corrosion, galling and rust. It is best suitable for tight joints and threads within the brake assembly. Further it is capable of withstanding extreme heat temperatures of up to 1800 degrees.
- Nickel grade anti-seize. It stands a higher degree of heat when compared to the silver grade anti-seize. It is able to withstand up to 2600 degrees of heat temperature. Further, this anti-seize brake lubricant is capable of resisting chemicals that could interfere with the parts of the brake assembly.
- Copper grade. This anti-seize lubricant is capable of withstanding up to 1800 degrees of heat temperature. Additionally, it is able to resist cold temperatures of -20 degrees. Another unique characteristic of this lubricant is the capacity for electric conductivity. So, this makes it suitable for use on threads within the brake assembly.
What happens if you don’t grease brake pads.
- Increased oxidation and rusting of the brakes after exposure to water, salt and road spray.
- The bushing that moves the caliper back and forth in disc brakes will malfunction.
- Noise will come from the brakes when you press the brake pedal.
- Increased heat from friction will cause the brakes to experience accelerated wear and tear. In fact, the ware and tear will be uneven for all the wheels.
- Freezing of the adjustable star-wheel that separates the shoes in the drum brakes.
- The slide pins will not slide as well as if they had been lubricated.
- The break stopping power reduces over time.
Brake grease substitutes.
You should always use the brake grease on the back of brake pads. This is so that you don’t interfere with the braking capacity. There is an explanation if you notice there is a lot of squealing when you press the brake pedal. In some cases, it’s usually harmless but the following could make up reasonable explanations;
- There is an issue of engaging the slide pins with the calipers.
- Where the brake caliper engages the rotors is an uneven surface.
- The pads and rotors are not in proper contact with each other.
In order to resolve these issues, there is option of using brake pad grease or its alternatives. Lets make a list of alternative measures for brake grease.
- Brake pad shims. When you press the brake pedal, there are vibrations that are created between the pad and rotors. The shims are very effective at reducing the noise that this vibration creates. They are created using either plastic or metallic material. Further, they are installed onto the brake pads. Apart from noise cancelation, Shims are also useful in improving the lifespan of the brake pads. Simply put, they increase the brake pad durability.
- Silicone grease. It is highly recommended that you use this brake grease alternative on plastic and rubber surfaces. Though this doesn’t deny the fact that it functions as well as brake grease.
- Anti-Seize Lubricant. Its a modified lubricant that caters for a slight overview of the brake grease. The overview being that brake grease isn’t made to withstand extreme cold and hot temperatures. Some types of anti-seize lubricants can withstand up to 2600 degrees of heat and -20 degrees of cold. Further, this brake grease substitute usually has a longer staying power than grease. Which allows it to stay on surfaces for a longer period.