If you have squeaky brakes or you about to change them, then you will need to apply grease to your brake pads. But which grease? What kind of lubricant is best for brake pads? If you use the wrong type, then you risk damaging the pads or making them inefficient, and no one wants inefficient brakes!
Fortunately, the type of grease used in brake pads is easy to get hold of.
I’ve changed a few brakes pads in my time and even sorted out my wife’s brakes, which were squeaking when used. Each time I’ve used a small amount of copper grease on these brake pads, it completely removed the squeaking sound that’s just annoying every time you use your brakes though it is essential that you only correctly apply the brake grease to the correct places to ensure the best results.
You will hear many people stating that you shouldn’t put grease anywhere near your brake pads before “the factory doesn’t”. So it’s up to you if you decide to, but in my experience, there isn’t an issue with applying grease to my brake pads, and I’ve been doing it for years.
The same applies regardless of the type of brake pads, whether you’re using ceramic pads or otherwise, it really doesn’t make a difference. The only important thing is the grease the brake pads properly to avoid squeaking and other noises that can come from your brakes.
What is the best copper grease for brake pads?
For the most part, they are all relatively similar, but I personally use Permatex 09128 Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant
Permatex 09128 Copper Anti-Seize Lubricant, 8 oz.
- Prevents seizing, corrosion and galling where high temperature conditions exist
- Fortified with high quality rust and corrosion inhibitors
- Temperature range: -30F to 1800F
Where do you apply grease to the brake pads?
If you’re never applied grease to your brake pads, knowing where to put the grease may be a cause of concern for you, it was when I first started doing it.
But it isn’t difficult to work out. You want to apply grease to the back of your brake pads, never to the braking material that touches the disc. When looking at the brake pad it the brake caliper, there are two wedges one on each end. These are what contact the caliper, and this is where I put the grease, just a small thin coat, on those wedges, and any squealing from the brakes is gone.
Some people may say to cover the entire back of the brake pad, I think that’s overkill, but there is no problem in doing that, it’s just not what I suggest.
When applying, I suggest using a pair of rubber gloves and to lightly apply the grease to the wedges, do not get any on the meat of the brake pad, if you do, get some brake disc cleaner thoroughly wipe away any grease, as this will affect your vehicles ability to stop.
Why do I need to use grease for the brake pads?
The short answer is that you don’t.
You don’t need to use grease on your brake pads. Putting some brake grease on isn’t going to affect the functionality of your brakes unless you get some on the biting material.
So you don’t need to do this at all. I only suggest applying copper grease if you start to hear squeaks when you are braking.
How often should I apply grease?
As often as you need to. The main reason that I and many others apply copper slip is to prevent entirely or stop the squeal that you get under braking.
The copper grease acts as a lubricant, on the parts the move back and forth as you apply brake pressure, so how often you apply will depend on how long the grease remains working,
In an ideal world, you would rarely apply grease to your brake pads, the general rule of thumb is that the better the quality the pad, the less likely you are to need to grease them.
Though my wife had a cheap car, which had cheap pads, and I only applied the grease once and for four years, it was fine, perhaps longer, the car was sold on after that.
If you hear a squeak when braking, that’s when you may need to apply grease, I wouldn’t rush to do it, see if it’s consistent, also make sure it’s your car, too often I hear as a squeak when braking only to find it’s one of the cars In front of me.
But, someone said I need to grease my brakes for maintenance?
If someone has said that you need to grease your brakes, they will most likely be talking about something entirely different.
What they will most likely be talking about is the slider pins in your brake calipers. You can quickly test your brake caliper slider pins to see if they need to be lubricated. It’s a simple job to do.
If you need to grease your slider pins, then the best grease to use is silicone grease, this is the best for lubricating slider pins.
If you want a recommendation for a silicone grease, then my absolute favorite is probably Sil Gylde, which I use for a few other things as well as for slider pins.
AGS SIL-Glyde Multi-Purpose All-Weather Lubricating Compound for All Surfaces - 8 oz Tube
- Sil-Glyde will not melt, freeze, gum, or run off like silicone oils
- Suggested applications include trunk seals, rubber bumpers, speedometer cables, brake parts, window channels, hood strips and pads, rubber gaskets, and belts
- Sil-Glyde Lubricating Compound A longer-lasting, high film strength protective lubricant for all surfaces
Wrap Up
At the end of the day, you don’t need the back of your brake pads greased. This is something you do if you can’t stand the squeaking of your brakes.
If you can’t, then a good copper grease is what you need. Remember only apply a small amount and ideally only to the wedges.
If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments section below.
