Everything you need to know about brake system lubricants

Braking experts share essential tips and advice for technicians

Everything you need to know about brake system lubricants
Image: Bigstock.

Apec Braking has this month released lubricant advice for technicians  as part of its commitment to providing technical information and to uphold its “Full Spec. Full Stop.” promise to customers.

For a braking system to be operating at optimum efficiency it is important to have free movement of components.

Unfortunately, due to exposure to environmental conditions, being subjected to acidic cleaners and high-pressure washers, the brake area can suffer from corrosion that will inhibit free movement of components.

This can cause damage to the brakes by over-heating through prolonged contact but more alarmingly might cause the vehicle to react unstably when braking leading to accidents.

Copper grease warning

An Apec spokesperson said: “In a brake system there are several contact points that will need to be treated as part of the repair process to ensure free movement.

“There is an old school habit within the industry that reveres copper grease as the universal lubricant for the workshop.

“However, copper grease within the brake environment can result in galvanic corrosion which is further worsened by the contamination of acidic wheel cleaners due to the owners’ desire of keeping their alloys or rims sparkling clean.”

Slider lubricant

Apec Braking supplies a slider lubricant which is compatible with rubber and moisture resistant to prevent corrosion.

Best practice dictates that both the sliders are removed and examined to ensure their condition at every brake pad and disc replacement.

“Seized sliders are becoming more of an issue due to the increase use of pressure washers, that have enough pressure to remove the rubber boots and introduce moisture in the slider cavity,” the spokesperson added.

“If the sliders are in poor condition it is recommended that they are replaced.

“However, if the sliders are in good condition they must be cleaned thoroughly of any corrosion and re-lubricated with Apec caliper slider grease to ensure free movement as well as protection from corrosion.”

According to the braking specialist, it’s common for technicians to remove just one slider bolt to swing the caliper away to fit the replacement pad.

However, Apec says this method does not allow for detailed examination of the sliders or provide the room for the carriers to be cleaned thoroughly.

Brake grease

Contact points that are exposed such as the abutment points on the carriers, will require a lubricant that will not cause galvanic corrosion to the surrounding metallic components.

It is essential that the lubricant used will be of the correct consistency to prevent its removal through driving or cleaning.

For these contact points, Apec’s specially formulated metal-free Apec brake grease has a high melting point and is ideal for galvanic corrosion prevention.

The spokesperson said: “Apec brake grease is manufactured from super refined mineral oils, that makes it water-insoluble, to provide resistance from washing off under most adverse conditions.

“However, this would make it incompatible to be used on the slider pins as it would cause the surrounding rubber boots to deform which will allow contaminants into the slider cavity and prevent free movement.”

For further information contact Apec’s technical helpline on 01174 288100 or select ‘more details’ below.

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