Brake grease is a small, cheap step that some people skip during a pad change - and skipping it is a common cause of noise and sticking. The short answer: yes, you should grease the right spots every time. Here is why and where.
Why grease matters every time
Brakes have parts that must slide freely - the caliper slide pins and the points where the pad contacts the bracket. Without the right high-temp grease, these seize or bind over time from heat and corrosion, causing uneven pad wear, noise, and a sticking caliper. Fresh grease at every pad job keeps everything moving as designed.
Where the grease goes
Apply high-temp brake grease to the caliper slide pins and inside their bores, and a thin film on the pad abutment/contact ears and the backs of the pads where they touch the caliper - see where to apply brake grease. Use the correct type for each spot - see copper vs ceramic grease.
Where grease must NOT go
Never put grease on the rotor friction surface or the pad friction material - it will contaminate them and ruin braking, causing grabbing and noise. Keep it to the sliding metal contact points and pins only. Clean those surfaces first with brake cleaner.
The payoff
Greasing the right spots at every pad change is one of the cheapest ways to guarantee quiet, even-wearing, long-lasting brakes. Combined with fresh hardware and quality pads, it prevents most brake-job complaints - so yes, do it every time.