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 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.
As mentioned, you should apply brake lubricant on every moving part of the braking system. On disc brakes, these include the following components:
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.
Lubricating drum brakes follow the same rule: apply brake lubricant on moving parts. These include the following:
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 against the backing plate when the brakes are being applied. 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.
Typically, unless you’re having issues with your brakes, there’s no reason to lubricate them just for the sake of doing it.
If, however, you’re hearing a squeak from the drum brakes when you apply the brakes sitting still or if you notice during a disc pad inspection that one of the pads is wearing unevenly or a lot more than the other one, it’s a good idea to remove the calipers and check the slide pins to see if one of them is stuck and not allowing the caliper to “float.”
While the exact steps might vary depending on the system type, here’s how the process typically goes:
There are three main types of brake lubricants: synthetic greases, silicone-based, and ceramic-based lubricants.
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 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 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.
Here are some tips to keep in mind when lubricating your brakes:
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.