Grease for Brake Pads?

poomunj · 12-08-2019, 03:29 AM

Just changed stock brakes for 328i and added a thin layer of grease to the back of the pads and where the piston meets the pad. I also added that same grey grease to the slide pins. Later I read that BMW recommends you do not do this. Should I take the pads off and clean the backsides? I noticed when I changed them the pads were bone dry anyway so I wonder if it matters that much?

Any input would be appreciated. First time doing a job like that and of course going to do some noob stuff

Billfitz · 12-08-2019, 08:32 AM

Six out of twelve mechanics will tell you to grease the back of the pads, the other six will tell you not to grease them. I've greased mine for fifty years and it hasn't caused a problem so far. Greasing the contact points between the pads and carriers and the slide pins is the most important part.

jsouth · 12-08-2019, 10:40 AM

Emphasis on the THIN layer. Clean and add a tiny bit of grease. You certainly don't want it going to the pad and rotor when it gets warm.

IraHayes · 12-08-2019, 11:17 AM

I haven’t put any type of grease on the backs of my pads for years, and haven’t had issues with squeal or chatter. That said, I always use OEM parts, so I can’t say if that makes a difference or not. I do however always put a very thin layer of dielectric grease on the slide pins.

oceanview · 12-08-2019, 12:23 PM

Rumors rumors...
The truth is, BMW recommends to apply Brake pad paste!

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...heel-brakes/1V

However, use the right stuff and apply as recommended!

Billfitz · 12-08-2019, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IraHayes

I do however always put a very thin layer of dielectric grease on the slide pins.

I suppose that's OK if it's rated for high heat. I use this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Note the pictures. They put it on the back of the pads.

Fliplegend · 12-13-2019, 01:57 PM

BMW also recommended 15K oil change intervals and tells everyone the transmission fluid is "lifetime."

Keep in mind, BMW is here to make themselves money, not to help you save money.

And yes, I always grease the contact points. It's really just common sense.

jv004 · 12-13-2019, 11:13 PM

Go off what the parts manufacturers recommends, not the car brands. For example, transmission manufacturer that supplies BMWrecommends fluid changes every 60k or so...BMW/dealers says lifetime >.>
So yeah, like many said, grease the contact points.

12-08-2019, 03:29 AM	#1
poomunj Enlisted Member 6 Rep 31 Posts Drives: BMW 328i Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Long Beach, CA iTrader: (0)	Grease for Brake Pads? Just changed stock brakes for 328i and added a thin layer of grease to the back of the pads and where the piston meets the pad. I also added that same grey grease to the slide pins. Later I read that BMW recommends you do not do this. Should I take the pads off and clean the backsides? I noticed when I changed them the pads were bone dry anyway so I wonder if it matters that much? Any input would be appreciated. First time doing a job like that and of course going to do some noob stuff
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12-08-2019, 08:32 AM	#2
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8221 Rep 16,054 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	Six out of twelve mechanics will tell you to grease the back of the pads, the other six will tell you not to grease them. I've greased mine for fifty years and it hasn't caused a problem so far. Greasing the contact points between the pads and carriers and the slide pins is the most important part.
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12-08-2019, 10:40 AM	#3
jsouth Second Lieutenant 112 Rep 212 Posts Drives: 2013 328i Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Weatherford, OK iTrader: (0)	Emphasis on the THIN layer. Clean and add a tiny bit of grease. You certainly don't want it going to the pad and rotor when it gets warm.
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12-08-2019, 11:17 AM	#4
IraHayes First Lieutenant 154 Rep 387 Posts Drives: 328i Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	I haven’t put any type of grease on the backs of my pads for years, and haven’t had issues with squeal or chatter. That said, I always use OEM parts, so I can’t say if that makes a difference or not. I do however always put a very thin layer of dielectric grease on the slide pins.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-08-2019, 12:23 PM	#5
oceanview Captain 207 Rep 600 Posts Drives: 335i F31 RWD Autom. Join Date: May 2013 Location: Switzerland iTrader: (0)	Rumors rumors... The truth is, BMW recommends to apply Brake pad paste! https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...heel-brakes/1V However, use the right stuff and apply as recommended! __________________ 335i F31 RWD in SB \|\| Powertrain: Active Autowerke Flash Tune Stage 1 \| AA Charge Pipe \| AA FMIC \| GFB DV+ \| xHD Trans-Flash \| Quaife LSD \| Cyba 3.5" Carbon tips \|\| Chassis: 20" 405M \| Wiechers Strut Bar \| Rear M-Diffusor \|\| Brakes: 18" M-Perf Brake orange 370/345 \| EBC YellowStuff pads all around \|\| Various: LED bulbs: Fog-L. front \| Turn Signal f&r \| Brake L. \| Reverse L. \| Rear L. \| Rear Fog L.
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12-13-2019, 01:57 PM	#7
Fliplegend Captain 1471 Rep 975 Posts Drives: 2015 435ix F33 Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: NH iTrader: (0)	BMW also recommended 15K oil change intervals and tells everyone the transmission fluid is "lifetime." Keep in mind, BMW is here to make themselves money, not to help you save money. And yes, I always grease the contact points. It's really just common sense. __________________ 15' 435i F33 Metallic Grey/Dakota Black/Contrast Blue \| AWD \| M Sport 15' 328i F30 Mineral White/Dakota Saddle Brown \| AWD \| Luxury Line
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12-13-2019, 11:13 PM	#8
jv004 Captain 400 Rep 605 Posts Drives: X3M Comp Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Northern California iTrader: (0)	Go off what the parts manufacturers recommends, not the car brands. For example, transmission manufacturer that supplies BMWrecommends fluid changes every 60k or so...BMW/dealers says lifetime >.> So yeah, like many said, grease the contact points.
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