Hi. I am fixing to change my first brake pads. I have watched enough YouTube videos that I feel comfortable doing so.
Everyone on the Internet agrees that a silicone lubricant should be used on the caliper slide pins. But after that, no one agrees on anything. I live in Texas and don't have to worry about winter road salt corrosion, so maybe it doesn't matter much.
What is the best practice for lubrication when changing brake pads? Lubricate the ends of the pad mounting tabs? Lubricate the anti-rattle clips? Lubricate the back side of the pad shims? And what to lubricate them with? Copper anti-seize? Raybestos, AC Delco, or 3M Silicone brake paste? Black synthetic brake grease? Scotty Kilmer's brake videos don't mention lubrication. It seems like, at least in Texas, the dirt collected by any lubrication may be a bigger problem that going without lubrication on the above points. Unless someone tells me better, I think I will lubricate the slide pins and call it good.
Thanks!
Lubricate the caliper sliding surfaces. Do not get any on the pads or rotors. There is purpose-made lubricant for this purpose.
You may also want to consider an anti-squeal compound applied to the backs of the brake pads.
You just lube the pins, and the pad surfaces where they slide against the stainless guides. Don't overthink it. Any high temperature grease since they get pretty hot. Anti-seize is for preventing binding cause by corrosion (fasteners, etc.). It's not a lubricant and dries.
Watch Scotty’s video on brake jobs if you haven’t already. Also be aware that some cars use turn-in calipers, so you can’t just squeeze the calipers flush like it’s done in the video; you need a special tool which most auto parts stores will loan you one, unless you have a Ford like me where the stupid thing turns counterclockwise on the left and clockwise on the right. Who knows what those engineers were thinking… If that’s the case they most likely won’t have a counterclockwise as most turn clockwise.
I've been using "3M Silicone Paste" for guide pins and "Permatex Silicone Ceramic Extreme" for pad ends / back. Never had any issues. But I'm sure there are plenty of other product out there.
