Brake servicing FAQ page update...

I have a (possible) confession to make. It's lengthy, but please read
it.

I have heretofore been advocating the use of copious quantities of anti-
seize in certain locations during brake servicing in order to prevent
corrosion and seizure of various parts.

Since the government banned asbestos as a friction material (~1995), I
have had, off and on, problems with glaze on my rotors. Glaze is a
smeary, patchy, durable black substance, which no solvent can dissolve.
You can't even sand it off. The only way of getting rid of it is to
machine the rotors.

Why was this happening? And why so intermittently? Over the last few
years or so (I'm a slow learner...), I've been observing other people's
brakes through the open-spoke wheels that are common these days, and
have noticed that just about nobody has glaze, just lonely ol' me.
Obviously it must be something I'm doing wrong.

Then, this last weekend (Mother's Day weekend), I decided to do my
annual brake "spring cleaning". While pulling things apart, sanding,
greasing, chopping, slicing, dicing and julienning, I noticed the rotors
had glazed up, AGAIN! Something made me study the pads closely. To my
surprise and alarm, I noticed the pads showed signs of oil seepage and
absorption. The absorption areas closely coincided with the glaze on
the rotors. The absorption areas also coincided with where I had been
most lavish with the anti-seize grease. Worse, the rear disc brakes
showed the same symptoms.

It appears on deeper investigation that anti-seizes of all kinds contain
very light oils that creep readily when heated. And boy do they creep.
This is only a theory right now, but I'm suspecting the oil soaks into
the friction material, softening it so it smears on the rotors.

I replaced all the pads and rotors this spring with brand-new OEM. ($$$)
The ONLY grease I put this time was under the pad slide shims, between
them and the mount bracket, and sparingly, at that. And this time I used
a high-temp silicone lube, Sil-Glyde.

In the fall of 2007, I'll see what the rotors look like and report back
here.

If anybody has been following my advice had has also experienced rotor
glaze, please let me know.

This page has been updated to reflect my new findings.
http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/rustybrakes/brakes2.html

 

two comments!

1. that's why you've never experienced brake judder!
2. based on that sil-glyde component list, there's not much high
temperature resistance about it.

if you want "real deal" brake lube, go for molykote m77. and if you
find an economic source of it, let me know!

 

two comments!

1. that's why you've never experienced brake judder!
2. based on that sil-glyde component list, there's not much high
temperature resistance about it.

if you want "real deal" brake lube, go for molykote m77. and if you
find an economic source of it, let me know!

 

I have, actually. Patchy glaze will cause judder just like warped
rotors!

I was VERY sparing with the silicone. If it creeps, I'll know.

Sil-Glyde does not creep or melt at 150F, though, so I might get lucky
here.

I see what you mean.

I'm getting told by independent distributors that the smallest container
Dow sells is a 33oz tub...at $247 Cdn.

My local Acura dealer can sell me a 75g tube (2.5 oz) for $66. They get
their M77 directly from Honda.

OUCH OUCH OUCH!

 

I have, actually. Patchy glaze will cause judder just like warped
rotors!

I was VERY sparing with the silicone. If it creeps, I'll know.

Sil-Glyde does not creep or melt at 150F, though, so I might get lucky
here.

I see what you mean.

I'm getting told by independent distributors that the smallest container
Dow sells is a 33oz tub...at $247 Cdn.

My local Acura dealer can sell me a 75g tube (2.5 oz) for $66. They get
their M77 directly from Honda.

OUCH OUCH OUCH!

 

I have never used any lubricants when doing brakes. My rotors are badly
glazed.

I should admit that I have always used the cheapest pads available!

Sam

 

Actually if you drive your vehicle at highway speeds while appyling the
brakes lightly, the glaze will be worn off the pads/shoes and drums or
rotors. Don't do it for an extended amount of time, just apply the brakes
(lightly) for short periods of time or else you will overheat the
components. This does work and is easier and less expensive then turning the
rotors and replacing the pads.

 

Actually if you drive your vehicle at highway speeds while appyling the
brakes lightly, the glaze will be worn off the pads/shoes and drums or
rotors. Don't do it for an extended amount of time, just apply the brakes
(lightly) for short periods of time or else you will overheat the
components. This does work and is easier and less expensive then turning the
rotors and replacing the pads.

 

------------------------------

I gotta wonder about people who drive a lot in mountainous areas. I'll
bet the guys at the brake shops see all kinds of 'symptoms' ! !

'Curly'

 

------------------------------

I gotta wonder about people who drive a lot in mountainous areas. I'll
bet the guys at the brake shops see all kinds of 'symptoms' ! !

'Curly'

 

I run a fleet of refuse and recycling trucks that are in the urban area,
except for once or twice a day for a run of 10 kilometres round trip. They
do nothing but stop and go forty to fifty feet all day long. The brake
rotors/ drums and pads/shoes become glazed within a week or two, it's far
more affordable and no down time occurs when using the method I described
earlier.

 

I run a fleet of refuse and recycling trucks that are in the urban area,
except for once or twice a day for a run of 10 kilometres round trip. They
do nothing but stop and go forty to fifty feet all day long. The brake
rotors/ drums and pads/shoes become glazed within a week or two, it's far
more affordable and no down time occurs when using the method I described
earlier.

 

When using Honda OEM pads they come with a small packet of molykote
m77.

 

When using Honda OEM pads they come with a small packet of molykote
m77.

 

Nah,I come up to stop signs at high speeds and then slam on the brakes.
This keeps them from glazing, too...

 

Nah,I come up to stop signs at high speeds and then slam on the brakes.
This keeps them from glazing, too...

 

http://www.usededmonton.com/classified-ad/678078&category=miscellaneous-for-sale

 

http://www.usededmonton.com/classified-ad/678078&category=miscellaneous-for-sale

 

Not all of them. Mine do not.

 

Not all of them. Mine do not.