A little brake grease in the right places is what keeps new brakes quiet and moving freely. The same grease in the wrong place can be dangerous. When you do a brake job, knowing the difference matters.
Where brake grease goes
- Caliper slide pins: the pins a floating caliper rides on must be greased so the caliper can slide freely. Dry or seized pins are a top cause of uneven wear and sticking - see caliper sticking.
- Pad abutment / contact points: a thin film where the pad ears sit in the bracket or on the hardware clips lets pads move without binding or rattling. Fresh hardware plus a dab of grease keeps things quiet.
- The back of the pad: a thin layer on the metal backing where the caliper piston and fingers contact the pad helps prevent vibration and squeal.
Where grease must NEVER go
Never put grease - or any oil, or brake fluid - on the friction surface of the pad or on the face of the rotor. Those surfaces need clean, dry friction to stop the car. Grease there dramatically reduces braking and is a serious safety hazard. Keep the rotor face and pad friction material spotless; wipe new rotors with brake cleaner to remove shipping oil before install.
Use the right grease
Use a proper high-temperature brake or caliper grease that will not melt or wash away and will not attack rubber boots and seals. Ordinary chassis grease is not a substitute. A little goes a long way. For the full procedure, see our brake pad install guide, and start with the right pads for your vehicle. If you are not confident, have a professional do the job - brakes are safety-critical.