Silicon Grease

[MGTF1250Dave]

Aloha All,

I just completed a brake system overhaul on my TR3A. The rebuild kits included a tube of grease, either redish in color or a white color. Ths instructions with the kits said to use this grease as an assembly lube with the rubber seals. I have always used brake fluid as assembly lube on wheel or master cylinders, so I didn't use the grease. At a recent club Tech Session, I was asked about silicon grease used in brake systems. My questions are, what is brake grease and how/where do you use it? is silicon grease and brake grease the same thing? Do you use brake grease or brake fluid as an assembly lube?

Safety Fast,
Dave

 

[Rick O.]

The Girling red brake grease is used primarily to pack rubber boots to exclude dust entry. However, I've seen it used as an assembly lube on both brake seals and piston surfaces. I used it liberally when rebuilding my calipers. It's also been used to lubricate the sliding surfaces on brake drum systems (backing plate). I don't think the Girling grease is silicon; silicon 'caliper grease' is used to lubricate the bolts/pins used to mount modern sliding calipers. The vintage Girling calipers are not this type.

Hope this helps.

 

[lawguy]

I hate to be a nit picker, but this is one of my pet peeves. Something tells me you mean silicone grease.

Silicon is what makes up sand and glass.