[Harryc]

So I am installing new front and rear brake pads this week on my bike. I have the Honda Tech manual and the instructions are straight forward, so I am comfortable with them. My questions is, nowhere in the manual does it say to lubricate or clean anything in the caliper area, nor does it mention spraying the pads with disc brake quiet. I'd have assumed spraying disc brake quiet on the steel pad backing was a good idea, as was hitting anything that comes in contact with the pads or slides with some of that thick caliper grease you use on car calipers. My brakes are wearing evenly and the rotors are the same, so it's not like I'd be looking to fix an issue, but not doing anything and simply throwing the pads in just seems strange to me. Your thoughts? Maybe I've been doing car brakes for too long. LOL

 

[Mr.Wilson]

Just like on your car or even more so on a bike, I always clean and inspect and lubricate everything to do with the brakes. A caliper sticking would ruin your new pads. I say yes!!!!! make sure every thing that should move is able to move with ease. So anti seize and anti squeak stuff should be used. Buts that is just my thoughts.

 

[adlowe]

I've changed mine a couple of times. Clean things up? Yes. Lube? No. There isn't much there to lube anyway. Most places you'd want to put it, grease would end up becoming a sticky paste and gum up the works. It's a dry system.

Unless you want to get into rebuilding the calipers. That's a whole different discussion.

 

[7xclm]

Rust, brake pad dust and dirt cause the squeaking. Just clean everything good and you will be good too go.

 

[jpr1968]

I've changed mine a couple of times. Clean things up? Yes. Lube? No. There isn't much there to lube anyway. Most places you'd want to put it, grease would end up becoming a sticky paste and gum up the works. It's a dry system.

Unless you want to get into rebuilding the calipers. That's a whole different discussion.

Actually, you should grease(not too heavy) the caliper slide pins. They can get gunked up causing the caliper to stay in one place and it could cause premature pad wear.

 

[Harryc]

Actually, you should grease(not too heavy) the caliper slide pins. They can get gunked up causing the caliper to stay in one place and it could cause premature pad wear.

White Lithium grease Ok or is there something better? What about disc brake quiet on the back of the pads?
This is the stuff I was mentioning earlier - http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...google&utm_campaign=gpla&utm_content=99997944

 

[7xclm]

I wish motorcycle caliper pistons had a cover like cars and trucks.

 

[adlowe]

Actually, you should grease(not too heavy) the caliper slide pins. They can get gunked up causing the caliper to stay in one place and it could cause premature pad wear.

I see that as a regular maintenance inspection item (with silicone grease) rather than part of pad replacement. Yeah, of course I check that when replacing the pads. Definitely replace any grease that I strip away while cleaning. But, generally speaking, slathering lubricants onto the the brakes is not recommended by Honda. Looking through the caliper rebuild instructions reveals that even the pistons don't get greased; they get coated in clean brake fluid. (The seals get coated with silicon grease prior to installation.)

We like to dab grease on everything that moves. Seems logical. Not always right, though. Many years ago, my father (a professional mechanic in those days) taught me to be sparing in applying grease where it is not called out in service manuals. Why? Because grease attracts dirt, dirt attracts water and water evacuates grease. So greasing things that aren't meant to be greased generally leads to premature wear.

But, hey, to each his own.

 

[adlowe]

White Lithium grease Ok or is there something better?

Genuine Honda Service Manual specifically calls out silicone grease for the pins. Page 15-12 for the front caliper and page 15-19 for the rear. In both cases, that's part of the caliper rebuild instructions.

 

[adlowe]

This is the stuff I was mentioning earlier - Permatex Ultra Disc Brake Caliper Lube (.5 oz) 85188: Advance Auto Parts

Neat stuff. Made from magic? The MDS identifies components as "Synthetic Base Oils (Trade Secret)" then goes on to explain that while the stuff won't melt it might combust -- though not likely from any amount of heat the brakes could generate. "Disposal should be made in accordance with federal, state and local regulations." Hmmm. I'm going to have to look into local regulations on disposal of (trade secret).

 

[John Hopkins]

I strip mine and get rid of any built up residue from old pads or shoes, clean bare metal with a plastic scouring pad and use an air gun to blow all the dust away..

If replacing shoes I chamfer all the edges with a flat wood file.

John.

 

[Harryc]

Genuine Honda Service Manual specifically calls out silicone grease for the pins.

OK, I'll give it a go. It seems silicon grease in a non-spray form is not something you could walk into a hardware store or Auto Parts and they'd readily have on hand. Two alternates seem to be; Plumbers Grease and Dielectric Grease which both are silicon based. Any thoughts on those or another source or product?
Edit: Just found this. Looks like it for car weatherstripping preservation.... http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Honda-OEM-Shin-Etsu-Silicone-Grease-/400235078098

 

[jpr1968]

I use lithium grease but I would think that you could get silicone grease at auto parts store.

 

[John Hopkins]

Silicone grease is readily available from most TV or electronic repair shops it is used for attaching heat sinks to SCR's or other electrical components such as microprocessors.. It comes in a tube. probably cost under $5.

John.

 

[Harryc]

Silicone grease is readily available from most TV or electronic repair shops it is used for attaching heat sinks to SCR's or other electrical components such as microprocessors.. It comes in a tube. probably cost under $5.

John.

Ah, now we're talking the same language John. I am an old PC builder/rebuilder from way back. I have many tubes of thermal grease around here. It just didn't occur to me that it was a silicon based grease.

 

[RONW]

I've only lubed the brake pad pin, but should definitely have lubed the bracket pin & the caliper pin. I just didn't want to remove the rubber boots and end up damaging them in the process only to then realize I hadn't bought the silicone grease or misplaced the tube. Otherwise I don't see why lubing the bracket pin and the caliper pin shouldn't be done. More import, is shoe shining the brake pistons after extricating the pistons out of their bores a smidgen to expose and get rid of the ring around the collar. Also, supporting the calipers with a length of solid copper wire, etc., instead of letting them dangle.