Member Since: 26 Mar 2007
Location: Chandler's Ford
Posts: 3459
Copper Grease & Brake Pad Lugs
I'm replacing my front discs and pads tomorrow.
My ever reliable indie gave me a tip when I was last there which was to not use any copper grease on the lugs of the pads (or anywhere on the pads for that matter).
He also recommended I give the caliper carrier brackets a good clean-up to remove any rust where the stainless steel shims come into contact with them, to ensure the pads are free to move on the new stainless shims.
I completely understand his logic in that brakes and the braking area of a car attract a lot of dirt and get very hot. Grease is only going to encourage that dirt to stick to it and cause a big, greasy, mess. More so when it gets hot and the viscosity of the grease is reduced, turning it into a big oily mess.
I know Bodsy's Brake Bible recommends "a liberal coating of copper grease to the top and bottom lugs of the brake pad" but I wonder if this advice is now somewhat outdated?
What are others doing these days, please? FWIW, I'm fitting Borg & Beck pads and Brembo discs.
Thanks,
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22nd Jan 2016 9:46 pm
Discomadness
Member Since: 19 Jan 2015
Location: Caerphilly
Posts: 2256
Personally I would avoid "liberal" coating of copper grease but as you said, make sure to remove the rust and brake dust off the stainless plates and underneath, make sure the pads can move ok but are not sloppy and then just wipe some copper grease to the lugs where they meet the carrier bracket stainless plates. This will stop them sticking Jarrod
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22nd Jan 2016 9:54 pm
lynalldiscovery
Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274
I fit a little, why I dont know as its never there the next time I look.
The truck maker I used to work for said quite categorically do not use copasalip, if you feel the need to use grease use normal high temperature grease sparingly on contact points only.
Ive used copaslip in the past to try and stop squealing brakes, it works for a short period of time!
22nd Jan 2016 9:58 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
A good zip with scotchbrite then coppperslip on the contact points and silicone grease on the sliders for me.
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I'd certainly always use some form of anti-seize compound on them; when I did my first pad change on the Disco, they we're stuck solid, unevenly worn and hadn't been greased (or if they were, there was no sign of it). I've just renewed the rear pads for the second time and they were spot on. Main thing is to keep any copper grease away from the rubber seals. Current: Discovery 3 06MY (55 reg) HSE Auto Zambezi Silver Allisport Fast Road Intercooler, V8 Brakes, Silicone IC Hoses, EGRs Blanked, Remapped, De-Cat pipe, FBHIC
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23rd Jan 2016 10:46 am
Jakeboy
Member Since: 11 Dec 2012
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 97
I find that spending some time cleaning the rust off the carriers, under the stainless steel shims, tends to ensure the pads are not too tight and require little copper grease. I do always put a smear on the lugs anyway, more habit than anything and a little where the piston(s) contact the pad to prevent squeeling (apparently). I guess everyone has there own preferences on these things.
The fact that we are discussing it, means we are aware of the issues that may present themselves and that can only be a good thing
I'm reminded of a previous installation I condemned where said, "mechanic", saw fit to take a grinder to the lugs on the new pads of a friends Insignia.
Apparently, "they were manufactured wrong or incorrect fitment as they were too tight and so I just trimmed the lugs a bit"! Three weeks later I was asked to look at the brakes due to excessive vibration/screech/clunking upon braking. To my horror, the pads were somewhat of a "rattling fit", presumably as the rust under the shims had been dislodged due to vibration from the new pads and subsequently widened the overall gap.
A simple clean of the carriers would have avoided the need to grind the lugs in the first place I don't tolerate dodgy practice, especially when it comes to the Anchors.
All cleaned up with new pads and shims ( and a little Copper grease ), and all good.
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Allisport Fast Road Intercooler, V8 Brakes, Silicone IC Hoses, EGRs Blanked, Remapped, De-Cat pipe, FBHIC
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), and all good. 
