What grease for brakes?

[creamerybutter]

My brakes are sticking so I was going to take them apart and give them a good clean and put them back together, last time I did this I used copper grease as it is what the dealer I bought the bike from said they used but recently I have been told you really don't want to use copper grease for this as it will damage the pistons? Question is who is right? What ideally should I use if copper grease is no good?

[Khewett]

You need red caliper greese to lubricate the pistons.

Copper grease will do the back of the pads to stop squeal but dont use on the pistons...

[Scoobs]

You need red caliper greese to lubricate the pistons.

Copper grease will do the back of the pads to stop squeal but dont use on the pistons...

Yep!

[Grinch]

You need red caliper greese to lubricate the pistons.

Copper grease will do the back of the pads to stop squeal but dont use on the pistons...

Yep!

That reminds me... when the front brakes where stripped there where no dust seals... Make sure you have spare bits when you service as these may need replacing.

[creamerybutter]

What will copper grease do to the pistons?

[Grinch]

What will copper grease do to the pistons?

Bugger the seal I think...

[Sid Squid]

Nothing, the same isn't true for the seals though, which it will damage.

Red rubber grease is what you want - the most common variety is Castrol-Girling rubber grease, there are others of course.

[creamerybutter]

Thats not so bad then #-o. What damage will a set of seals do to my wallet?

[Sid Squid]

From Suzuki £25 very ~ish, something like that.

[I'm_a_Newbie]

Use copper grease on the back of the pads and the contact patches with the caliper. Use a high melting point grease on the caliper sliders and make sure the slider seals are not split.

Use hot soap water and a stiff tooth brush to clean up the calipers or buy some brake cleaner from halfrauds.

Only do one side at a time. This way you can use the lever to push the pistons out a bit futher to give them a good clean. Never use mineral oil or grease on the pistons as the piston seals will swell up. Only use rubber grease. However unless the pistons are really manky or sticking there is no need to do this. An excess amount of grease will cause the brake dust to stick to the piston. If the pistons are sticking or are really manky you will have no option but to remove the pistons to clean them up. Before refitting them smear some brake fluid or rubber grease on the seals. Never refit the pistons when the seals are dry.

If you do remove the pistons you will have to refill with brake fluid and bleed all of the air out of the system. To do this make sure that the pistons are pushed all the way in to have the best chance of removing all of the air.

Finally remember to pump the brake lever until it is firm before riding the bike.

Hope this helps
Tim.

[Sid Squid]

Use a high melting point grease on the caliper sliders and make sure the slider seals are not split.

I'd use rubber grease on the rubbers for the slider pins too - they will also be damaged by most greases - they'll rot the rubber and make it swell.

[I'm_a_Newbie]

Forgot to mention, you shouldn't have to replace the piston seals unless you have a fluid leak or the seal has been damaged by a corroded piston or they have been contaminated with mineral oil.

[Grinch]

or no dust seals where put in and the road salt got in.

[thegibdog]

Would I be able to use Corrosion Block Grease http://www.worldwideaviation.co.uk/CorrosionBlockGrease/cbgmain.htm for any of this?