What grease should i be using for brake calipers?

[robj20]

I've used copper grease on brakes for years and will continue unless I find a good reason not to.

Only a thin smear on the parts of the backing plate that are against the piston or calipers.

A cotton bud helps get some on the little tabs that slide inwards in the caliper as the brakes wear.

I've seen Ed China plastering the back of pads with copper grease on Wheeler Dealers.

Can't say I have ever had pads that seize too the pistons so never felt the need to apply it there.
A good reason to stop using copper grease for me would be pretty much all manufacturers advising against it's use. It can interfere with some ABS setups.
Ceramic grease is just much more suitable for the job.

 

[Gaygle]

I've used copper grease on brakes for years and will continue unless I find a good reason not to.

Only a thin smear on the parts of the backing plate that are against the piston or calipers.

A cotton bud helps get some on the little tabs that slide inwards in the caliper as the brakes wear.

I've seen Ed China plastering the back of pads with copper grease on Wheeler Dealers.

There are people who have never used a torque wrench and for years have just blasted wheel bolts with a rattle gun - doesn't mean its the correct way of doing things.

When you can get a tube of silicone grease or ceramic grease for £4 you've got to ask the question - why would you continue using copper grease when brakes are clearly not the right application for it.

 

[bainbridge]

There are people who have never used a torque wrench and for years have just blasted wheel bolts with a rattle gun - doesn't mean its the correct way of doing things.

When you can get a tube of silicone grease or ceramic grease for £4 you've got to ask the question - why would you continue using copper grease when brakes are clearly not the right application for it.

Are you sponsored by a ceramic grease manufacturer?

That sounds like an advert

 

[Haggisman]

Cheers all, consider me educated - will grab a tube of ceramic/silicone grease next time I do a brake job

 

[Drangueos]

Interesting to see a couple of people recommending against copper grease on the back of pads - this is what I've always been recommended before (although we're going back 15+ years here...), in fact I'm fairly sure that's what's usually in the sachets which come with replacement pads?

It is because a some modern brakes components are made of aluminium and copper reacts with aluminium, also probably because some people put way more grease them you should

 

[IC3]

Copper grease shouldn't go anywhere on a brake job. Silicone grease on sliders is best, red rubber grease is ok too. For the pads, grease the contact areas of the pads with either ceramic grease, or my preferred grease, which is Bosch Superfit.

I've been lied to all my life, by all my mates who are mechanics..

I still have my tub of copper grease from 10 years ago, I laughed when my mate said I won't need to buy copper grease again in a lifetime.