QA

Question: How To Lubricate Brake Calipers

Do brake calipers need lubricating?

To keep those brake calipers in pristine shape, you need to regularly clean and lubricate the slide pins. When our service department at Crestmont Cadillac cleans the pins, they also remove any grease, debris and look for rust then rub a heat resistant lube on the pin and slide it back in.

Can I spray wd40 on my brake calipers?

WD-40 Specialist Automotive Brake and Parts Cleaner is safe to use on clutch and brake assemblies, brake discs, callipers, brake drums, brake pads and brake linings.

How often should brake calipers be lubricated?

If you have uneven wear on a pad or something like that, suspect that there’s probably an issue with the caliper or the sliding mechanism of the caliper. Now the thing here is that you should be checking your brakes and lubricating all this stuff about every 12-15 thousand miles or once a year.

Can you lubricate a sticking caliper?

Lubricate the Brake Calipers, Pins, and Slides Consider using a caliper-specific lubricant, like Permatex Ultra Disc Brake Caliper Lube 24110. This works excellent on caliper pins, hardware, and the back-side of brake pads. Some home mechanics choose to use a generic lube, such as white lithium grease.

Can I use wheel bearing grease on brake caliper?

Wheel bearing grease – not the best. You wouldn’t be happy if your local Mechanic used it. The best lubricant is one that withstands high temperatures, doesn’t attract dirt, and is friendly to rubber components. Synthetic disc brake lubricant such as this one will work just fine.

Should you grease brake caliper piston?

Brake fluid is the only thing you can use if you use anything else you’ll swell up the o-ring inside the caliper on a piston then it will stick. Brake fluid should only be used on the interior of the piston. The caliper slide pins should be coated with a synthetic brake caliper lubricant.

What can I spray on my brakes to stop squeaking?

Permatex Disc Brake Quiet stops brake squealing by dampening vibration at the caliper/brake pad interface.

What is the best way to clean brake calipers?

Recommended caliper cleaning & lubrication procedure: Use a wire brush or sand/bead blasting to remove rust from caliper brackets/guides to achieve a clean, smooth, uniform surface. Clean or replace attaching hardware. Lubricate metal-to-rubber friction points (guide pins to boots) with silicone lube (Wagner #F132005).

Can you use white lithium grease on caliper pins?

No. You need a high temperature synthetic brake grease to lubricate the caliper slide pins and under the anti-rattle clips.

How do you stop brake calipers from sticking?

How to avoid a Sticking Brake Caliper Changing brake fluid every 1-3rd years – will prevent the brake system from rust from the inside. Clean the brake pads, guide pins, and pistons every 2-3rd year – or at least do it properly the times you replace your brake pads or brake discs.

What makes brake calipers stick?

The common cause for a brake caliper sticking is with the caliper piston and the brake hose. The piston has a rubber boot on it which lubricates and protects it. But if this rubber is torn, it will cause debris and rust to form inside the caliper which means the piston’s sliding abilities will diminish.

Can Vaseline be used as grease?

If the only lubricant during assembly is Vaseline, go ahead and use it. Petroleum jelly comes from the same oil base as regular grease. It is always advisable to go for bike grease or regular automobile grease if it’s not an emergency.

Can you use copper grease on caliper slide pins?

Never use copper grease there, and lithium grease can attack some rubbers/plastics.

What happens if you don’t grease brakes?

Don’t ever put lubricant on the inside of the drum where the shoes/pads contact the drum. This will cause the brakes to stop working, and could be very dangerous.

Can you use WD40 on brake pistons?

When reinstalling a caliper piston, only brake fluid should be used as a lubricant. No WD40, no grease of any kind. Brake grease should only be used on the sliding pins of the caliper and the back of the pads.

What happens if you don’t grease caliper pins?

This lack of lubrication causes a few things to happen. First, because the brakes don’t contact the rotor properly, your brake pads can wear unevenly. Second, the slide pins may stick, causing the brake pad to continually contact the rotor, resulting in a buildup of heat, which wears your brake pads down faster.

Can I use copper grease on brake pistons?

Copper Grease has poor lubricating properties. It is in fact an anti-seize compound. Never use Copper Grease on the back side of a brake disc mounting face as this can increase the Disc run out lead to DTV (Disc Thickness Variation) causing brake judder.

What is Red Rubber Grease?

Red Rubber Grease is used to protect & lubricate rubber components. It is manufactured using vegetable oil as the base lubricant. The red colour is due to the addition of a red dye to make it easily distinguishable from other greases. Its unique recipe makes it compatible with natural and synthetic rubbers.