Front brake lubrication question

johnnyfd · Post by **johnnyfd** » 10 Jul 2015, 13:06

When I did the front brakes on my 96 850 turbo wagon I wire brushed all the surfaces that touch the pads . I then used silicone brake grease to coat the areas on the carrier/bracket that the pads slide in and out on when the brakes are in use . What I did not do was put a coating of grease on the backs of the pads or the spots that contact the backs of the pads . How important is this part that I left out and is the part that I did do the most important as I am hoping ? Is it possible this will cause the pads to not move as freely as they should and result in some problems such as squealing or worse such as the pads not bedding in as well as they could ?

Post by **E Showell** » 10 Jul 2015, 14:00

Guaranteed to result in squeal down the road.

johnnyfd · Post by **johnnyfd** » 10 Jul 2015, 14:14

Any irreversible effects if I drive it this way for a while until I can get to it ?

Post by **E Showell** » 10 Jul 2015, 14:26

Nope -- Only insult to the ears.

Post by **erikv11** » 10 Jul 2015, 14:29

oops - what Evan said.

The only side effect of not greasing the back of the pad where the piston contacts, is that the brakes may get noisy. It will not affect operation.

johnnyfd · Post by **johnnyfd** » 10 Jul 2015, 15:54

What about the back of the pad on the other side that the piston does not contact ? Also I forgot to ask is it really necessary to use new carrier bolts or do most people just skip this , reuse the old ones and maybe put some Loctite on them with the correct torque ?

Post by **oragex** » 10 Jul 2015, 16:21

I never put anything on the back of the pads, the only time when I have the brakes squealing is because of poor quality pads or discs

As for the contact point on the back of the pads there is no need to use grease. The important thing is to have clean sliding pins and boots with silicon grease inside, and to make sure the piston moves easily (with the bleeder bolt released). Also ensuring all the wheel lugs have similar torque will keep the brake disc flat and braking force at it's maximum

Post by **erikv11** » 10 Jul 2015, 20:52

I always re-use the bolts.

Post by **abscate** » 11 Jul 2015, 03:40

I reuse and confess I don't even torque to specs with a torque wrench any more, but tighten to "experience level"

I do use a one foot ratchet drive with a healthy twist on these.