More brake woes... Need advice!

Dustin Fredrickson · **Posted:** Thu Sep 15, 2011 12:32 pm

We ran Axxis/PBR ULT's all around on the Miata for the better part of a couple years given the low costs, but higher than preferred front pad wear and rotor deposits ("warpage") left us wanting, and we switched to Blues on the fronts. These things wear like iron on the Miata, are extremely predictable, and handle back to back run sessions without fade (on a Miata, granted). Despite being 2.5x the cost of the PBR's, they have saved us money.

IMO, time to step up to a more track oriented pad for the fronts, at least, if you see that kind of wear. My Miata doesn't get a lot of miles, but what little daily driving I do has been with the Blues on without much ill effect. I'd still swap them back after an event for a real daily driven car, but wouldn't hesitate to run on them for a few days.

Charlie Guthrie · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2003 8:14 pm **Posts:** 832

Just another dissenting opinion from the peanut gallery. I have also destroyed the outer piston seals/dust boots on my track cars that were also street driven. I have also taken the approach of ignoring the missing boots for extended periods...but there is a distinct down side if you accumulate much road grit in the piston bore; the piston begins to stick. With a sticking piston you get less brake action (although seemingly only marginally less), but you will heat the pads and rotor due to the continuous drag and pad wear is accelerated.
Basic rule of thumb, if car makers thought that you didn't need those you can bet that they wouldn't be on any cars other than BMWs.
(With deference to VK)
Charlie G

Karl Shultz · **Posted:** Fri Sep 16, 2011 9:44 am

JamesShort wrote:

Make sure to remove the guide pins, clean them, and relube with a silicone based synthetic grease (don't use organic grease on the rubber boots).

James, why is that?

JamesShort · **Posted:** Fri Sep 16, 2011 9:46 am

Karl Shultz wrote:

JamesShort wrote:

Make sure to remove the guide pins, clean them, and relube with a silicone based synthetic grease (don't use organic grease on the rubber boots).

James, why is that?

Organic grease (or organic derived synthetic grease) dries out and breaks down rubber.

Karl Shultz · **Posted:** Fri Sep 16, 2011 9:52 am

JamesShort wrote:

Karl Shultz wrote:

JamesShort wrote:

Make sure to remove the guide pins, clean them, and relube with a silicone based synthetic grease (don't use organic grease on the rubber boots).

James, why is that?

Organic grease (or organic derived synthetic grease) dries out and breaks down rubber.

You probably saw this coming given our chat about motor oils on Wednesday.

What's a good synthetic grease for these use cases? I've got a tub of purple Mobil 1 grease, but I guess it might be organic-derived, like the oil is?

I'd like to use the correct stuff on the Merc, since it's 17 years old. Especially on stuff like window regulators, etc. If I can be good to the rest of the rubber on the car, so much the better. I'm already planning on spraying stuff like CV boots with silicone.

JamesShort · **Posted:** Fri Sep 16, 2011 9:59 am

I use permatex something that is the equivalent of Molykote xxxx (the Honda brake caliper grease) on brake sliders/pads. I use silicone spray grease (think by the company that makes PB blaster) on stuff like window jam rubber and spring isolators and rubber suspension bushings etc. Just make sure it's silicone based if it's touching rubber and you'll be good.

I should mention I used organically derived synthetic wheel bearing grease on brake pads and sliders for over 100k miles on my old Civic without a single problem, but there was no doubt the rubber slider pin boots were toast when I sold it

. On a car where the brakes get nice an hot, I'm sure that will encourage slider pin boots and brake cylinder piston dust covers to break down faster with contact with organic grease. But then again, it's the heat that's killing the rubber more than the grease.

Karl Shultz · **Posted:** Fri Sep 16, 2011 11:45 am

JamesShort wrote:

I use permatex something that is the equivalent of Molykote xxxx (the Honda brake caliper grease) on brake sliders/pads.

Available at AutoZone or similar places? I've got a script running at work that will take some time. Think I might go look around at the auto parts stores.

Arthur McDonald · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 1:54 am **Posts:** 2052

Vincent Keene wrote:

Bah, that's nothing Matt. Take a look at our front caliper after about 10 hours at the Lemons race at CMP.

The friction material was gone, the backing plate was bent, and the piston was welded to the backing plate.

So did the Autozone give you a core refund for that caliper?

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More brake woes... Need advice!

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