copper grease on brakes yes or no?

Discussion in 'Technical Help' started by crispey, Aug 10, 2015.

  1. crispey

    crispey crispey creme de la creme

    Nov 6, 2014
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    sorry it should read near brakes
    I
    have a brake pad change coming up and in my internet searches I came across this! Now in the old days I used to splash it all over but now they say no, and if no what does everyone use to lube the pins etc?
     
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  2. thebiglad

    thebiglad Old fart, still riding !

    Sep 25, 2013
    5,066
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    WellI would always use it on the back of pads and on the pins. Some argue that it will attract muck but I haven't found that - but there again I have the bike in bits regular so things get and keep clean.
     
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  3. Recycled Rocker

    Recycled Rocker Senior Member

    Apr 19, 2014
    351
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    North Yorkshire Cave
    Wow nearly lost the will to live reading that lot. Like everything else in life, moderation, moderation,moderation, I use it on pins and anything with threads where there is corrosion especially between dissimilar metals. I wouldn't use it anywhere near brake fluid/pistons.
     
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  4. crispey

    crispey crispey creme de la creme

    Nov 6, 2014
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    Basically they're saying that the grease reacts with the rubber seals causing them to swell and become dysfunctional.
     
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  5. Recycled Rocker

    Recycled Rocker Senior Member

    Apr 19, 2014
    351
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    North Yorkshire Cave
    i used to wear my shoes down trying to stop mi pushbike, so yer must use a lot of coppery stuf..
     
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  6. Havit

    Havit Admin
    Staff Member Subscriber

    Jul 17, 2015
    9,618
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    I use it like the big lad, it does stop squealing , copper ease has always been part of my brake service, maybe I'm old fashioned ,
     
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  7. steve lovatt

    steve lovatt Something else

    May 12, 2014
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    Always use it on the back of pads and on the pins to stop squealing - same with car brakes in the days when I used to change the pads myself.
     
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  8. topbanana0

    topbanana0 Well-Known Member

    Mar 27, 2016
    226
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    South Wales
    Until recently I would have said yes, but after seeing this maybe not on my bike.



    Matt appears to know his stuff, like following him on YouTube.
     
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  9. TEZ 217

    TEZ 217 Crème de la Crème

    Mar 6, 2016
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    Look Havit what you and littleade do is your business keep it to yourself.

    As for copper grease I have always used it on brake pins and where the piston hits the back of the pad, always will.
     
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  10. Rocker

    Rocker Elite Member

    May 1, 2016
    1,662
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    You shouldn't use copper slip on the back of pads a the heat turns it to glue use hi temp grease instead
     
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  11. Callumity

    Callumity Elite Member

    Feb 25, 2017
    3,358
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    Brake application transfers energy as heat, light and sound. Sound is unwanted vibration.....eliminate vibration and you kill sound.....albeit some is inevitable. Light should be undetectable without an infra red camera! Mostly heat is dissipated to air.
    The basic theory of a light smear of grease (and shims) is to damp out the vibration so you are not driving a violin string. The grease gets contaminated over time and you don’t need to coat the pad just inside the caliper fingers and the edge of the piston contacting the pad.
    Grease is getting old school with Teflon coatings on some pad backing and shims but done sparingly it works for me.
     
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  12. youngy

    youngy Active Member

    Oct 30, 2017
    38
    28
    Peterborough
    red rubber grease for the seals.

    copperslip on the pins.
     
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  13. TEZ 217

    TEZ 217 Crème de la Crème

    Mar 6, 2016
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    COPPER SLIP OLD SKOOL , HELL YEAH :D:D:D:D:D
     
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  14. Billy the giant

    Jun 6, 2017
    18
    8
    Leeds
    Old school right. Modern brake pads have anti squeal shims ect for the vibration, ie squealing sound. But applying copper slip (ease) does no harm at all. Applying copper slip between the calliper and anti rattle clips is fine, normally the clips are stainless sprung steel and the calliper is normally cast, hence dissimilar metals resulting in galvorossion. Hi temp grease and extreme pressure grease would be a bit a bit risky as they are petroleum based and if contacted with pin gators, would distort and loosen seals, red rubber grease is the way to go lubing those as they have been made with natural oils, and don’t distort rubber seals. Copper slip on the pad rear, and moving parts would be fine as copper slip is a clay based anti seize, and has a very high melting point.
    I’ve never had any problems, and that lad in the YouTube vid seems a bit of a tit!
     
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  15. itchyfeet

    itchyfeet New Member

    Nov 26, 2016
    5
    3
    Stonehenge Wiltshire
    I 've been maintaining my own bikes since my Dad showed me how to service my first Honda MT50 36 years ago. I've always used copperslip on the back of the pads (where the pistons touch) as I'm convinced it stops squeal. In fact on the occasions where i have fitted pads while touring without copperslip brake noise has reminded me to apply some on returning home. That cannot be in my mind only and maybe things/technology have moved forward but I think the you tube vid is completely over the top, use it if you want and know what you are doing, don't use it if you don't want and put up with pad rattle or squeal (on older bikes) Maybe new bikes have coated pistons that stop this, butb I don't think mine does. Anyway, a jar of copperslip lasts for years and years, and I've still got two to get through!!
     
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  16. t552

    t552 Senior Member

    Nov 17, 2014
    416
    113
    Bristol UK
    wurth AL1100 is even better.
     
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  17. Brixton Steve

    Brixton Steve Member

    Sep 21, 2019
    39
    18
    Devon
    It's amazing how many people think they know better than the pad manufacturers.
     
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  18. Yorkshireman

    Yorkshireman Crème de la Crème

    Dec 12, 2015
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    That could be the record for thread resurrection. .:p
     
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  19. joe mc donald

    Subscriber

    Dec 26, 2014
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    Yes I still use copper ease on my pads. Not the pins I polish them and a little silicone spray. But each to their own if it makes you feel better go for it.
    Joe.
     
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  20. johne

    johne Standing on the shoulders of dwarves.

    Jan 16, 2020
    1,807
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    Where the Wolds meet the sea
    Its a yes from me.
     
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