Copper grease for calipers?

In the past I've used copper grease on brake calipers, until I saw this thread:

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- and as I'm about to change discs (rotors for the US audience) and pads I thought I'd try to get the correct grease. Thing is, I can't find it. I've paid a visit to Halfords (and regretted it- one day I *will* learn), to no avail.

So, a few questions:

  1. Is copper grease really bad for the dust seals etc?

  1. Where's the best place to get the grease? Online seems only to throw up motorcycle stores. If I'm doing an online order, I'll want to order some other stuff too, which means the motorcycle stores aren't so good.

  2. Do Audi/VW dealers sell it in small quantities?

  1. Is the correct stuff known by any other designation?

Reply to
Chris Bartram
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use copper grease where the pad touches the piston and caliper.

do not use copper grease on the pins that the caliper slides on. these have a ptfe insert in (or should have!) and do not need grease!

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Reply to
Nathan Lucas

Yes, i knew it was intended for that.

......but I didn't know that. What you say is borne out by the Haynes manual (well, the Golf haynes manual- the Audi A3 one isn't out yet.....) as it doesn't mention greasing the guide pins at all. Presumably the thing to do is just clean them with brake cleaner spray, and leave alone otherwise.

Reply to
Chris Bartram

Try gunsmiths shops that specialise in air rifles, you can get special dry lubes that are used on air rifle pistons & seals, this does not affect rubber,

Steve.

Reply to
Steve68s

i've just overhauled the calipers on my rocco. i only touched the sliders as the rubbers on them were completely perished. basically, as long as they slide ok, you don't need to touch them at all. the new rubbers i got came with a special rubber friendly grease, but this was to aid installation only. you put a bit on the outside of the rubber bush so you can slide it in without damaging it. there's then a ptfe collar that goes inside this, then the metal slider bar. i just gave this a polish with a bit of white spirit and a rag and made sure it was completely dry before putting it back in.

it is good practice to open the bleed nipple when you push the piston back. some abs systems get upset if you don't, and there is a (small) risk of inverting the seals in the master cylinder. i usually change the brake fluid at the same time as the pads.

Reply to
Nathan Lucas

I'd read that. I've never done it in the past on my old scirocco/golf/Ibiza etc, but the A3 I have now has ABS so it seems sensible. Apparently the MkIII Vauxhall Astra is particularly prone to the master seals inverting if you don't use that method.

Reply to
Chris Bartram

my last car was a J reg mk3 astra. i only read that you should undo the nipples a few months ago, so it's something that i've never done until now. that said, now i know the potential problems you can cause i always do.

Reply to
Nathan Lucas

When I worked in the power industry we used silicone grease on "O" rings which had to withstand 1500 lb/in sq and 150 deg C, as recommended by the manufacturers. I have used Copaslip on brake calipers on many occasions without problems, the trick being to apply a smear sparingly and not lather it on too heavily.

Pilgarlick

Reply to
Pilgarlick

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