Are you wondering why your brakes are squeaking after installation? Or you have a suspicious amount of brake dust building up quickly?
Well look no further, in this article we cover the main solution to this problem: you probably used the wrong grease, greased the incorrect areas, or a combination of these.
Read on to find the best grease to lubricate the brake components and make it work just like new.
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Comparison of the Best Brake Grease
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What Purpose Does Brake Grease Serve?
Greasing your brake components can have several advantages and provide you with comfort while driving. Here are some of the top reasons why you should grease your brake pads & calipers:
Lubrication
No surprise here, lubrication is critical for nearly every component on a vehicle. However, if you use a general grease that is multi-purpose, it will wear off quickly and melt due to the heat generated by just daily driving. Investing in grease specifically made for your brakes can help your brakes stay lubricated for a longer period of time as they are immune to high temperatures when driving.
Brake Noise Reduction
A good brake grease can lubricate the caliper at the place where it touches the brake pad, which will reduce friction and eliminate high pitched vibrations and squeaks.
Increasing the Life of Brakes
You cannot just use any grease on your brakes as a poor-quality one can corrode the rubber and plastic components on a brake caliper. In order to reduce any damage done to the brake components such as rubber seals and increase the lifespan of your brakes, a brake grease is necessary. It will ensure that these seals work well and the brake is smooth and silent.
What Should I Look For When Buying Brake Grease?
In order to get the perfect grease for your brakes, you should consider a few things so that you do not regret it later. Some of these things include:
Water Resistance
A good brake grease should be resistant to water. This is because water is a common road hazard and a grease that is not resistant will simply wash away. A good brake grease will seal the components from moisture, increasing the brakes’ lifespan and keeping the brake components free of rust.
High Tolerance to Temperatures
A good grease should also resist extreme braking conditions. If the brakes are not lubricated properly, it can be cause premature maintenance costs and be dangerous to drive the vehicle.
Viscosity
Viscosity is the measure of a fluids ‘thickness’. Think milkshake vs. water. Effective brake grease has high viscosity so that the surface is protected from friction for a long period of time, because it literally sticks to the surface its applied to.
Reviews of the Best Brake Grease
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s cover these options in more detail:
Best Overall:CRC 05359
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PROS
- Resists moisture and does not wash out easily
- Forms a thick layer to protect the components
- Super strong and able to handle high temperatures
- Should last the lifetime of the brake pads
CONS
- Can be a nuisance to apply in cold weathers because it will stiffen
What Do People Love and Hate About This Brake Grease?People adore the thickness and the viscosity of this grease. It has proved itself to be a very strong and sturdy lubricant that adds a proper layer of protection on the brake’s components and does not damage them. Some users claim that the thickness might lead to uneven pad wear, but we disagree. Grease, no matter how thick, cannot impede the pad-rotor friction plane.What Application is This Best For?This brake grease is best used on metal touchpoints and moving surfaces. It should be used on backing plates, calipers, pad hardware, and guide pin grommets. Moreover, customers can apply this to parking brake cables/hardware for lubrication. It is also a good option for those who require something low maintenance.Should I Choose a Different Option in this List?To put it simply, this superior brake grease is a one-for-all product that can be used for every brake job. This is because its viscosity, thickness, strength, and quality are designed for all sorts of brakes in every vehicle. It also prevents any rusting or corrosion in critical areas like caliper guide pins & drum springs.Bottom LineApart from the grease thickening and being hard to work with in cold weather, this grease is exceptional and one of a kind. It is used by customers worldwide and is widely popular for any kind of brake greasing job.
Runner-up: AGS Sil-Glyde Silicone Brake Grease
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PROS
- Protects from rust and corrosion
- Noise-free brake operation
- Moisture-proof silicone-based lubricant
- Can handle high temperatures of up to 425-degree Fahrenheit
CONS
- Some users report ‘crusting’ on the brakes
What Do People Love and Hate About This Brake Grease?What stands out the most to users is how efficiently the grease coats the brake’s rubber and plastic components. The grease does not stick or damage the components. However, some also reported crusting of the grease on the brakes.What Application is This Best For?The Sil-Glyde Silicone Brake Grease is designed for usage on the brake assembly and is also compatible with the rubber and plastic components in brakes (Nitrile and EPDM). It ensures an easy assembly and disassembly for a noise-free, squeaky-free brake system.Should I Choose a Different Option in This List?Sil-Glyde is designed to effectively reduce brake noise on caliper slides on all contact points. If you have experienced other grease melting off and disappearing, you may want to look at our ‘best hi-temp brake grease’.Bottom LineFor a noise-free brake system and smooth operation, this brake grease will not let you down. Its amazing formula and impressive quality have established a loyal customer base over the years, so do not hesitate to give this product a try.
Editor’s Pick: Mission Automotive Dielectric Grease
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PROS
- Better than petroleum jelly or Vaseline
- Can be used in different fields for lubrication
- Waterproof
- Withstands temperatures of up to 500-degree Fahrenheit
- Can also be used to seal electrical connections
CONS
- Without gloves, the application can be sticky
- Thickness might make it difficult to remove from the packaging
What Do People Love and Hate About This Brake Grease?Being water-resistant and temperature-resistant, this brake grease serves as the perfect protection for your brakes. It seals the brake components and protects them against rust, dirt, and debris. Although some people despised how sticky it gets without a glove, the formula itself works smoothly.What Application is This Best For?If you’re looking for the perfect silicone grease for sealing electrical conductors or preserving the brake’s rubber parts, then this is the perfect option for you. It is also known as one of the best brake caliper greases because it can withstand pretty high temperatures.Should I Choose a Different Option in This List?There are several amazing advantages of this brake grease, which is why it is the editor’s pick; however, if stickiness is something that bothers you when applying the grease, then you should consider another option from this list. The application of this one is a bit bothersome.Bottom LineFor a smoother, long-wearing, and efficient brake system, do not turn your back on the Mission Automotive Dielectric Grease. Its high resistance to water and extreme temperatures is built to last and protect your brake’s components.
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Best for the Money: Sta-Lube SL3303
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PROS
- Suitable for every brake job
- Prevents the caliper from binding
- Can be applied on rubbers and plastic as well
- Prevents the brake from vibrating or corroding
- Withstands temperatures of up to 600-degree Fahrenheit
CONS
- Turns into a sticky sludge when applied on the caliper
What Do People Love and Hate About This Brake Grease?While this product does mention that it can be used for any brake system, it is important to note that some customers felt that it turns into a sticky goo on the components. However, it tends to grease the brake effectively and can also withstand high temperatures of up to 600-degrees Fahrenheit.
What Application is This Best For?This option is best for our budget shoppers, the quantity you get for the price is unbeat (assuming you’re still buying quality grease).Should I Choose a Different Option in This List?Some shade-tree mechanics prefer something with a little less viscosity. The stickiness of this one hasn’t pleased some customers.Bottom LineWith a strong and sturdy material that glides onto the brake’s components, this brake grease is designed for maximum efficiency and smoothness. It is also perfect for any brake job that you may have, and it also comes with a brush!
Best Hi Temp Brake Grease: CRC Silaramic Brake Grease
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PROS
- Ensures lasting protection against rust and erosion
- Ideal for racing situations because of its high quality
- Claims to withstand temperatures of up to 3000-degree Fahrenheit
- Contains chemicals to reduce oxidation and has anti-wear additives
CONS
- Packaging of the tube is not very user-friendly
- Some question the 3000deg temperature claim
What Do People Love and Hate About This Brake Grease?Racers around the world swear by this grease because of its effectiveness and longevity. It is designed for the most heavy-duty racecars and ensures they are smooth and perfect for driving. However, this tube’s packaging is not very ideal, and it doesn’t come with an applicator brush.What Application is This Best For?From caliper pins to the rubber components of the brake system, this grease covers it all. It is efficient, long-wearing, prevents the brake from corrosion and other damage, and is easy to work with as it is non-sticky. It lubricates the system well enough to ensure smooth driving for racers.Should I Choose a Different Option in This List?If you’re looking to get a bulk deal on a lot of grease, then you may want to consider the ‘best for the money’ pick. However, if you’re a car enthusiast searching for the best grease to withstand the highest temperatures on the road, this is the ideal choice.Bottom LineCRC Silaramic has the highest temperature resistance out of the bunch. This unique formula greases all the components smoothly, and will ensure the best performance as compared to any other grease on the market.
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How and Where to Apply Brake Grease
If you have never used brake grease before, it is imperative to understand how this stuff works and where to apply it. Using it on the wrong components could damage your vehicle or cause the brakes to not function – at all! Here is where you apply brake grease:
Disc Brakes
Note: Never apply grease to the rotor or pad friction surfaces! If you do accidentally, liberally spray Brakeleen and wipe the area off 2-3 times.
1. Remove and clean the old grease off the caliper guide pins and rubber boots. Reapply new grease liberally (the boot should be packed pretty full.
2. Apply a thin layer of grease to the brake pad mounting tabs. It’s recommended to use a brush for this or your fingers if your kit doesn’t have a brush.
3. Apply a thin layer of grease to the flat mating surfaces where the caliper bolts together. Never apply any grease to a component that has threads!!
4. Apply a thin layer of grease to the metal brake pad hardware that clips into the caliper frame.
Drum Brakes
Note: Never apply grease to the shoe or drum friction surfaces! If you do accidentally, liberally spray Brakeleen and wipe the area off 2-3 times.
- Disassemble & locate the raised brake pad ‘rub points’ in the housing. Lightly sand the dust and rust off them and spray off with Brakeleen.
- Apply a good layer of grease on these raised areas.
- Apply a thin layer of grease on the inner side of the hooks of all springs (you should be replacing the springs!)
- Thats it!
Conclusion
Hopefully, this article helped you choose the right brake grease for your upcoming brake job. It is important to grease the brakes for long-lasting and efficient performance. Make sure you lookout for the features that you need before you get one. Good luck greasing!
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People Also Ask
If you still have some doubts or questions that need to be cleared out, here are a few of the most frequently asked questions and their answers. Hopefully, this guides you better and clears out most of your ambiguities and concerns. Read on to find out more about brake grease:
What is Brake Grease Made of?
Brake greases are synthetic formulas made up of chemicals such as Teflon, graphite, and molybdenum. All these additives ensure its high performance and resistance to high temperatures. Silicone-based lubricants have nitrile, nylon, and other kinds of synthetic rubbers added to them, and they are compatible with all the rubber components of the brakes.
Can I Use a Generic Grease? or WD-40?
No, do not do this. WD-40 is just a flat out bad option – it’s not long-lasting, it’s not a ‘grease’, and it gets everywhere when you spray it. Last thing you want is that contaminating your brake pad surface or getting on your rotor/hub friction areas.A generic grease is also a bad idea. At at the very least, generic brake grease is not resistant to high temperatures. This means as your brakes heat up, the grease will likely melt and run wherever gravity or the wind may take it. Which very well could mean onto your rotors or drum friction surfaces, rendering your brakes useless.
Another reason generic grease is not a good idea is that it may or may not be rubber/plastic friendly. If the rubber caliper bin boots or other components start to react, they will swell, crack, break-down and eventually fall off. Allowing dirt, brake dust, water, and other contaminants in. Your caliper will start to stick and/or rust.
Looking for brake related content? Here are some more helpful articles.
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