Rundown of Brake Service Chemical Applications

Rundown of Brake Service Chemical Applications

Penetrants for disassembly

Brake system components are subjected to tremendous heat and can collect road salt, debris or other corrosive materials in the course of daily driving. Fasteners for calipers and caliper brackets are usually torqued to fairly high levels. The use of a quality penetrant at the start of brake service can ease and speed disassembly, preventing broken fasteners or rounded-off bolt heads.

 

Permatex BP Cleaner Rotor Fig 1
Cleaning brake parts makes it easier to identify their condition, avoids contamination that could compromise the effectiveness of new pads and calipers and clears off brake dust.

Brake parts cleaners

Savvy technicians evaluate any system before disassembly to assess the condition of various components and look for other evidence of parts failure or unusual wear. This is only possible if the parts are clean enough to reveal the clues. The use of brake parts cleaner during reassembly helps avoid contamination that could compromise the effectiveness of new pads and calipers. Brake parts cleaners are typically offered in professional-strength aerosol cans, and in non-chlorinated form for environmentally sensitive geographic areas.

 

Permatex Brake Lube App Fig 2
The use of caliper lubricant ensures that caliper halves are able to move freely on their pins, sleeves, bushings, and other hardware. This helps prevent performance issues such as uneven braking, pulling to one side, and uneven pad and rotor wear. It can also be used on drum brake components.

• Rust treatment/dissolver. Heavily rusted brake components may call for even stronger rust-busting chemicals. Purpose-blended rust treatments can help cut through heavy rust on caliper brackets and help prevent future accumulation of rust on components that are not subjected to high temperatures.

 

• Penetrants/lubricants for parking brake cables and mechanisms. Parking brake cables, levers and other components are not exercised regularly, making them more subject to rust and corrosion, which can render them less effective or inoperable. These components should be lubricated during every brake service.

 

 

Reassembly

Permatex Dielectric ABS Fig 3
Using dielectric grease on sensor ­connections for ABS, brake pad wear, and ride and traction control can assure their integrity and durability by preventing voltage leaks and protecting against moisture and contaminants.

There are many chemicals that can be used in reassembling brake systems and sub-systems that can make for a more thorough, long-lasting and reliable brake service.

 

• Caliper lubricant. The use of caliper lubricant is particularly important when servicing single-piston, sliding-caliper designs. Single-piston caliper halves must be able to slide freely against each other in order to apply equal braking force to both sides of the rotor, and the caliper halves must also be able to move freely on their pins, sleeves, bushings and other hardware. It’s best to choose a brake lubricant that can withstand the high temperatures of today’s braking systems and will not liquefy or wash out.

 

Permatex Disc Quiet Pad Fig 4
Applying an anti-noise compound to the back of the brake pad can dampen vibrations at the piston or caliper interface and make disc brake operation quieter.

• Lube for drum brakes. Remember to properly lubricate the friction points where brake shoes contact backing plates, and also to clean and lubricate self-adjusters and related mechanisms.

 

• Anti-squeal compounds. Historically, brake noise has been a common source of brake service comebacks. This is especially true with replacement disc brake pads that are not fitted with anti-squeal shims. In these cases, the use of an elastomeric compound can dampen vibrations at the interface where the pad contacts the piston or caliper.

 

Permatex Threadocker Brakes Fig. 6
Using a threadlocker can provide insurance against fasteners loosening due to changes in operating conditions, as well as vibration, rust, corrosion, and other environmental factors that can affect the strength and torque retention.

• Thread sealants. ABS-equipped vehicles, as well as those equipped with stability control systems, have brake hydraulic systems that operate under higher pressures than previous systems. These higher pressures increase the possibility of fluid leakage at joints and fittings. The use of a chemical thread sealant at junctions and banjo fittings can help reduce the chance of leakage. High quality thread sealants will be resistant to very high pressures and temperatures, and tolerant of both glycol-based and silicone brake fluids.

 

• Threadlockers. Chemical threadlockers can provide insurance against fasteners loosening due to changes in operating conditions, as well as vibration, rust, corrosion and other environmental factors that can affect the strength and torque retention of various fasteners within the brake system and elsewhere.

 

Permatex Rotor Wipes
Using special rotor wipe toweletts will help you to clean and prepare new brake rotors for quicker and easier installs. They help promote better pad wear-in and leave a protective coating, which prolongs rotor life and helps prevent brake squeal.

• Better electrical connections. With ABS sensors, electrical disc brake pad wear sensors and ride and traction control sensors being used in increasing numbers, technicians can assure the integrity and durability of electrical connections by using a high-quality dielectric grease that will keep moisture and contaminants out, and electrons in.

Courtesy of Permatex

You May Also Like

Valvoline Celebrates Female Service Center Employees

Valvoline is launching a social media campaign led by its female experts who are sharing automotive preventive maintenance tips to promote accessible vehicle care for all.

Valvoline Inc. announced it is working to redefine the vehicle care experience and that it is excited to share important automotive preventive maintenance tips during Women's History Month. The company says that in research studies, women have expressed an uneasiness when approaching vehicle service and general dissatisfaction with a lack of accessible, straightforward maintenance knowledge in the broader automotive care industry. As women make up more than half of all drivers in the United States, Valvoline is taking steps to increase their vehicle care confidence.

ASE Education Foundation, Goodguys Continue Partnership

Goodguys is one of many industry relationships the foundation has developed to help solve the technician shortage.

BorgWarner Announces Plan to Reduce Supply Chain Emissions

A partnership with Manufacture 2030 will support BorgWarner in reaching its Scope 3 emissions reduction goal.

Mevotech Releases 237 New Chassis, Control Arm, Wheel End Parts

The release boosts coverage for domestic and import passenger vehicles, pickup trucks, SUVs and EVs up to model year 2023.

MEMA Celebrates 120th Anniversary

MEMA said the milestone “underscores the association’s enduring legacy and its pivotal role in advancing the future of mobility and the interests of vehicle suppliers.”

Other Posts

How Regenerative Brakes Operate

Regenerative braking is a hybrid’s first choice for braking.

UniClutch Launches Clutch System in the United States

From Australian manufacturer Clutch Industries, UniClutch is a clutch system that delivers uncompromised performance.

Tesla Wheel Bearing Replacement

The process of replacing the hub unit on a Tesla is the same as many cars and light trucks.

Brake Pad Edge Codes – What Can They Tell You?

The edge code is a language written by engineers, federal entities and industry associations.