TMD Friction braking brand, Textar is calling on independent garages to ensure they use the correct braking grease for the job.
Although copper-based lubricants can cause issues within the braking system, Textar’s technical manager, Scott Irwin, still sees them on workshop benches.
To help uncover the facts, Scott has shared his knowledge with GW.
The pros of non-metallic brake lubricants
- They can withstand high temperatures – lubricants such as Textar Ceratec work well at high temperatures due to their zero-metal content; which allows the braking system to operate efficiently and the pads to move freely, eliminating drag and premature wear.
- It’s easy to use – One tube of Ceratec can lubricate up to 35 sets of pads, as well as protecting against scratching while reducing corrosion, offering a cost saving to mechanics.
The cons of copper-based lubricants
- They can interfere with the electronics – year-on-year, more electronics are being added to vehicles as technology advances, however, the presence of the metal in the braking system can interfere with the magnetic sensors found within a car’s ABS, ESP and EPB systems. If this was to occur, it could cause the ABS to malfunction, which could lead to issues with warning lights and wheel locking.
- They cannot withstand high temperatures – if a mechanic complains of having to knock a wheel off from the hub, corrosion due to a copper-based lubricant could be the reason why. Copper-based lubricants can also react with steel and aluminium causing corrosion between the two metals.
- They can increase run out – if smeared on the surface of a hub, copper lubricants can increase excessive run out, due to the presence of metal particles.
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