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Brake grease?

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Alan_Myers

Alan_Myers

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Hi all,

What type of grease would you use in the brake drums, where the shoes ride on the backing plate? The manuals suggest "white zinc grease". But, I have no idea what that is! I have some 3M Brake Lube, which I think is called "copper slip" in the UK. It does contain some zinc. (It's handy as an "anti-sieze" on threads. I use on spark plugs in steel/iron heads, etc.)

Any other points in the brake assembly you would grease? Pivot points of the handbrake lever, other places where the shoes rub against adjuster, etc.?

Thanks!

Alan
 
Hello Alan,
Copper Slip is what I have used for years on the metal contact areas in brake systems. (Being careful not to have too much) I generally use an oil can to lubricate the handbrake pivot as grease won't flow into the pin, again just a few drops and work it in.

Alec
 
I use white lithium grease on mine, just a thin layer, and it seems to work good. I think just about any grease would work alright given the application. I take my hand brake apart to grease it but Alec's oil can idea should work just as well.
 
Hello Waltese,
on my Triumph the handbrake linkage is a rivetted pin so cannot be readily dismantled. As it is inside the drum and dry it seems to be fine like that. Where the cables connect do need dismantling, cleaning and greasing during services.

Alec
 
Doh! I wasn't paying enough attention when I read your post. Sorry Alec.
 
Hi All,

Thanks for the suggestions. I was originally asking about points inside the brake drum that might need lubrication, but since you brought up the subject of the hand brake linkage, I might have something to add.

The handbrake linkage I recently disassembled has likely never been off the car since it was installed at the factory. I found a lot of Waxoyl type substance on all the joints, especially around the bottom of the handbrake lever and on the three clevis pins at the compensator lever mechanism. All these were literally caked and enclosed in a waxy ball. What was under the waxy substance are near new appearing parts. So, I'd sure suggest using something like that on these often neglected lube points. One alternative I saw recently was a spray on lubricating gel, that thickens up after a short time, but likely would wash off more easily than Waxoyl. I don't have any lube gel or Waxoyl on hand, but will spray some on the newly installed parts when I get some for inside the frame and rockers on this car.

Cheers!

Alan
 
Hello Alan,
your last bit reminded me that you can get aerosol cans of chain lubricating 'grease', which would probably be OK for handbrake linkages.

Alec
 
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