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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[S8QUATTRO]

Wow this was back in 2012!