Brake Lubricants: Where and How to Properly Apply Them

Brake lubricants prevent corrosion and ensure your vehicle’s brake system components continue moving smoothly. However, improperly applying them could lead to complications and even cause the brake to stop working. That’s why it pays to know where and how to apply brake lubricant to your vehicle.

Where to Apply Brake Lubricant

Where you apply brake lubricant depends on your car’s brake system. The two main types, disc and drum brakes, have different moving components.

Look behind the wheels to determine whether your car uses disc or drum brakes. A shiny metal disc with a caliper signifies disc brakes, while a bowl-shaped drum means your vehicle uses drum brakes. You can also check your owner’s manual or consult the manufacturer’s website to see if they have the relevant information.

Where to Apply Brake Lubricant on Disc Brakes

As mentioned, you should apply brake lubricant on every moving part of the braking system. On disc brakes, these include the following components:

• Caliper slides
• Pins
• Bushings
• Rear disc brakes
• The area where the pads slide within the caliper housing
• Parking brake cables and linkage

Use silicone-based brake lubricant when lubricating hydraulic components, like the seals inside the cylinders and calipers. This type of lube enables smooth seal movement while preventing corrosion.

Avoid putting lubrication between the brake pads and the noise suppression shims. Doing so could reduce braking performance because the pad’s friction is what’s generating the stopping power to bring your car to a halt. Lubricant would diminish that friction.

Where to Apply Brake Lubricant on Drum Brakes

Lubricating drum brakes follow the same rule: apply brake lubricant on moving parts. These include the following:

• Pads that support the shoes
• Star adjuster mechanisms
• Hinge points/parking brake linkage
• Parking brake cables

Avoid lubricating inside the drum where the shoes might make contact because that might prevent the brakes from working.

Lubricate areas with metal-to-metal contact between moving parts, like where the shoe slides. Applying lube to the adjustable star-wheel separating the shoes is also a good idea, as it’s prone to freezing.

Avoid over-lubricating, as the excess lubricant can drip into places it shouldn’t be, possibly affecting part performance.

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How to Apply Brake Lubricant

While the exact steps might vary depending on the system type, here’s how the process typically goes:

• Step 1: Jack the car and remove the wheel to access the brake components. Turn the steering wheel to the side to get access to the brake caliper.
• Step 2: Remove the components you want to lubricate. Refer to the list of parts listed above to know which component you can lubricate. While you’re at it, you should inspect the brake pads for wear.
• Step 3: Apply a thin layer of brake lubricant to the removed components.
• Step 4: Reinstall the parts you removed and ensure you tighten the bolts holding them in place to ensure the system properly functions.
• Step 5: Test everything out once you’ve reassembled the components. Ensure the brakes work properly.

Types of Brake Lubricants

There are three main types of brake lubricants: synthetic greases, silicone-based, and ceramic-based lubricants.

Synthetic Greases

Synthetic oil is a man-made lubricant typically of higher quality than other lubricants. Synthetics are less likely to acidify and oxidize and more chemically stable. They’re also harder to break down and don’t lose their desired qualities easily.

Thanks to their resistance to oxidation, synthetics can withstand extreme temperatures better than other greases while having longer grease life and better performance.

Silicone-Based Lubricants

Silicone is one of the most popular materials in the industry, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that it’s used in brake lubricants. Silicone brake lubricants are resistant to heat and water, so they also last longer than other types.

Silicone lubricants are built to emphasize smooth component movement and reduced friction, contributing to better hardware performance and longevity.

If you value cost and availability, silicone brake lubricants are a good choice. They’re cheaper and more available than the other brake lubricant types.

Ceramic-Based Lubricants

Ceramic brake lubricants are typically used in high-performance braking systems that have ceramic brake pads. They work well in high-performance situations, as they don’t generate dust and are more consistent than other lubricant types.

Their formulation ensures better braking performance, as ceramic lubricants optimize the interaction between brake system components.

In terms of noise reduction, ceramic lubricants are superior to the other types because they’re formulated to address issues with noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) when braking.

Tips for Applying Brake Lubricant

Here are some tips to keep in mind when lubricating your brakes:

• Use a soft cloth to clean dirt and dust off the braking system to prevent scratches.
• Spray the braking system with brake cleaner before lubricating.
• Use a file or grinding tool to remove hardened materials from components.
• Put a small amount of lubricant on your finger and coat the areas you want to lubricate.