Copper paste on the back of brake pads? Or not

[S8QUATTRO]

Question for those of you who fit your own pads:

Do you apply copper slip/paste on the back of the pad? Or just a little elsewhere?

I was shown today by a brake pad manufacturer where they advise you use copper paste or equivalent and it would be good to get an idea of what others think is correct.

Thanks

[mrmr96]

I do, just a little bit.

[Eighteeteewhy]

Yep, just a light smear. Most importantly where the the pads 'run' in the grooves on the caliper. Just try not to get any on the pad face or disc.

[zedx19]

I put plenty on the back and the edges if they contact the pad carrier. Where did the manufacturer recommend?

[S8QUATTRO]

zedx19 said:

I put plenty on the back and the edges if they contact the pad carrier. Where did the manufacturer recommend?

They recommend none on the back plate of the pad. That's what I thought was the norm until today. They advise a little on the edges of the pad back plate where it touches the caliper, metal on metal area.

Also a little smear on the inside of the disc where it comes into contact with the hub only.

[morgrp]

I put a light coating on all the contact surfaces of the carrier and caliper (obviously not the contact surface of the pad or disc - before anyone says anything) - My reasoning is that these surfaces are always in constant contact and will be sliding - where as the back of the pad isn't. This method also reduces the risk of pads seizing in the caliper/carrier - people will say painting the back of the pads reduces squeal but to be honest - lubricating the contact surfaces (again not the disc or pad!) will do the same job. I personally believe brake squeal is more down to the quality of the disc and pad combination.

Just remember with copper slip, less is more!

[S8QUATTRO]

morgrp said:

I put a light coating on all the contact surfaces of the carrier and caliper (obviously not the contact surface of the pad or disc - before anyone says anything) - My reasoning is that these surfaces are always in constant contact and will be sliding - where as the back of the pad isn't. This method also reduces the risk of pads seizing in the caliper/carrier - people will say painting the back of the pads reduces squeal but to be honest - lubricating the contact surfaces (again not the disc or pad!) will do the same job. I personally believe brake squeal is more down to the quality of the disc and pad combination.

Just remember with copper slip, less is more!

Also learnt that the new non conductive grease is better for cars with abs, ESP, dsc etc as it doesn't interfere with cars electronic systems. Product such as MIntex ceratec as we used today.

And interesting info about discs warping today, it's really rare and not (usually) warped discs but uneven wear when there is excessive run out when originally fitting discs. Many garages won't check for run out when fitting discs but it can solve lots of judder and squeal issues if fitted correctly in the first place.

[BFG TERRANO]

Always do, don't know why though apart from its what I was taught!

[philmots]

I always use the Mintex Ceratec. Works fine and only about £2 off of ebay.

[GokTweed]

I put some on the back where the piston will make contact and around the edges where it contacts the carrier.

[S8QUATTRO]

GokTweed said:

I put some on the back where the piston will make contact and around the edges where it contacts the carrier.

This was done also today.

[GokTweed]

S8QUATTRO said:

GokTweed said:

I put some on the back where the piston will make contact and around the edges where it contacts the carrier.

This was done also today.

Good man. When i had the swift the manufacturer didn't put anything on the pads and they started squealing not long after. Originally i was a naive teenager so i took it in and told them. They said it wasn't anything to worry about. Fair enough, but it was annoying that everytime i braked i got a nice squeal from them. So i pressed the issue and they thought it was a brake calliper so replaced it, under warranty, to no avail. Idiots. When dad had a look he saw no copper on the pads, put some on and sure enough there was silence!

[lescombes]

I always put copper grease on the pad backing and if shims on the shims too.....as others enough to cover the contact areas of the calipers....
Putting the grease between pad & shim then the caliper is a Japanese workshop technique .... attention to detail as usual from the Japs and no squeal...

[the turnip]

Just a logical thought about applying copper grease to pads,just remember it gets really dusty under there,from the road and mostly your brake dust,it all adheres to anything like grease,and causes great lumps of gooey dirt which will play allsorts of agro with your brakes,my own experiance is make sure the surfaces are clean and shiny which then going over bumps and a good blast down the mway keeps them clean,or pressure washer,just my 30 yrs of experiance and a few cars i have had.

[colin_p]

philmots said:

I always use the Mintex Ceratec. Works fine and only about £2 off of ebay.

Same.

Ceramic grease is far better than copper grease for brakes, and a lot of other anti seize / vibration applications.

[HiAsAKite]

holy thread revival....

[colin_p]

HiAsAKite said:

holy thread revival....

And top lurking by the Turnip as well.

[S8QUATTRO]

Wow this was back in 2012!

[jeremyh1]

I have stopped applying any grease to them now you dont need to do it on modern pads

One old fashioned thing is still do is put copper grease on battery terminals

[cuprabob]

jeremyh1 said:

One old fashioned thing is still do is put copper grease on battery terminals

I prefer to use Vaseline but that's a whole different story.