"Brake Grease" v Copper Grease

[GlynnJ]

I just had my '02 1150 GS (non-EVO) serviced at a famous BWM dealership. Prior to my trip to France, now completed, I did my routine checks and found that the front wheel wouldn't spin freely. The brakes were sticking.

I took the pads out to find the dealer had used what I would describe as "brake grease" - a very sticky grease - on the back of the pads and other moving parts. This stuff clearly wasn't doing its job as the pads were sticking in position.

I removed all traces of the grease and replaced it, very carefully and sparingly, with Halfords Copper Grease, the stuff I have used for this purpose for years.

The brakes were transformed and all was (is) well.

However, while waiting for the return ferry from France I was chatting with a guy who said that there was a potential problem with Brembo calliper seals and copper grease and that it should be avoided.

Anyone know if this is correct?

Glynn

 

[ianboydsnr]

I just had my '02 1150 GS (non-EVO) serviced at a famous BWM dealership. Prior to my trip to France, now completed, I did my routine checks and found that the front wheel wouldn't spin freely. The brakes were sticking.

I took the pads out to find the dealer had used what I would describe as "brake grease" - a very sticky grease - on the back of the pads and other moving parts. This stuff clearly wasn't doing its job as the pads were sticking in position.

I removed all traces of the grease and replaced it, very carefully and sparingly, with Halfords Copper Grease, the stuff I have used for this purpose for years.

The brakes were transformed and all was (is) well.

However, while waiting for the return ferry from France I was chatting with a guy who said that there was a potential problem with Brembo calliper seals and copper grease and that it should be avoided.

Anyone know if this is correct?

Glynn

you should not let copperslip touch the caliper seals on any bike, Brembo or otherwise, as it makes the rubber swell, you can use on the backs of the pads spearingly, use brake grease around the seals

 

[Mouse]

I concur - copper grease on the back of the pads, and parts that have metal to metal contact. And brake grease on the seals. Both, as you say, sparingly. Too much grease just acts as a dirt magnet.

 

[GlynnJ]

Thanks. I have only put it (very sparingly) on metal-to-metal contact spots. Why would anyone put grease on a seal?

GJ

 

[Kritou]

I'm not sure if Copper Grease is the same as Copperslip but I'm informed that the heat build up in calipers causes Copperslip to dry out leaving a sticky residue. If the pins have been treated the residue will then prevent the pads from retracting properly and causing undue brake wear. The same happens if Copperslip gets on to the extreme edges of the pad backing where they move against the caliper mounting bracket/half

It is suggested that a modern product, such as Neverseize , is a better option

 

[JOP]

There is a special sort of silicone grease used for lubricating caliper pistons. It does not affect the seals or the brake fluid. Maybe this is what they had used?
Some people claim that copper past should never be used on light alloy parts due to the risc for galvanic corrosion.
I have a can of aluminium grease that I use for bike brakes.

/JOP

 

[Steptoe]

I'm not sure if Copper Grease is the same as Copperslip but I'm informed that the heat build up in calipers causes Copperslip to dry out leaving a sticky residue.

I thought that was the idea -

if all you ever work on is brand new bikes , then thats fine, i've been using copper grease for 25 years and it's never caused me, or any of the bikes i've worked on, any problems, this includes dozens and dozens of despatch riders bikes all with over 100K miles on them -
This is my 1st hand experience, not hearsay, or "what i've heard", but MY personal experiance .

you may have other experiences ?

 

[GlynnJ]

Steptoe, you have confirmed what I thought - that copper grease is meant for the job. I have always used it myself. Of course, it doesn't belong anywhere near the seals but, as I said, why would you grease a seal (apart from during a perverse sexual act ).

GJ

 

[Captain Beaky]

This is a new one on me too.

I'm with Steptoe on this one.

I know you shouldn't use it on brake seals in the caliper itself - you only ever use a special grease that is compatible with Brake fluid (or just lubricate with brake fluid).

While there must be a newer replacement for coperease, in 15 years of motoring (and goodness knows how many miles) in many (usually knackered) vehicles, this is the first time I have heared about copper grease causing a problem if you get a bit on the outer of the caliper piston / dust seal.

I've never had any problems with the grease overheating/drying out. And all the calipers that I have come back to have not seized or stuck, and the pads haven't rusted in either..

And I don't think that they's market it specifically for that job if a little getting on the brake seal rubbers would cause them to fail...

You shouldn't plaster it on, a thin even coating is all you need.
If you have a specific brake squeal issue, then use a little more on the points that the pad bears onto to stop the squeal.

I have come across this thick grease too, but on a car. I wonder if the spotty apprentice used "Brake Grease" for calliper seals, and not Copper ease!!!

Mike.

 

[Captain Beaky]

A useful form of copper grease is the aerosol can.

Allows small amounts to be deposited, without a dirty great pot or tube of the stuff hanging around.

 

[GlynnJ]

I think the spotty apprentice idea may be correct because there was a deposit of grease on the outside edge of the left hand disc as well!

GJ

 

[Kritou]

you may have other experiences ?

None whatsoever - but is not copper grease a generic product with different manufacturers formulating related
greases with varying specifications and melting points? Copperslip I believe has a relatively low melting point of 280 degrees Celsius that can be easily reached under brisk and continuous riding conditions in a sheltered rear brake - similar to those reported by a group of GS'ers recently in Spain and Morocco who complained of excessive rear brake wear

The caution came directly from the independent B*W agent who services my bike - he has been servicing these bikes for some twenty plus years - probably rather like you Steptoe

 

[Steptoe]

you may have other experiences ?

you pays your money, and takes your choice -

Wurth sell brake pad grease which is copper based ?


excessive rear pad wear on GS's has nothing to do with coppergrease - it happens to dry calipers, greased calipers, NEW calipers -

 

[Mouse]

A useful form of copper grease is the aerosol can.

Allows small amounts to be deposited, without a dirty great pot or tube of the stuff hanging around.

I have a dirty great pot of the stuff, I use a small paintbrush to apply it in controlled amounts.

 

[Cornish Bob]

Hi,
Lucas make a grease suitable for brake components and is ok to come into contact with D.O.T. brake fluid, its called Rubber Grease, its red and the part no. isPFG102.
Cheers,
Bob.