Proper lubricant on brakes?

[ThosL]

I have had a sticking caliper and sprayed the front caliper, etc. with WD40.  Someone said that WD40 only lasts a few weeks whereas silicone is long term for lubricant applications.  Is silicone the thing to use on parts that need to stay lubricated?

[1 Lucky Texan]

wd-40 is a better solvent than lube. and the lube portion isn't long-lasting.

 

Silarmic is popular, I use this ;

 

they say the green-label stuff mustn't get on any rubber.

[golucky66]

I use the above stuff at work al the time. Usually the purple stuff, but I've used green too.

Never had an issue with it on rubber (the green one)

[ThosL]

OK, the WD40 freed up the sticking brakes for a few weeks, then more problems.  I sprayed it down again aleviating the problem for the time being.  Will try other stuff, but prefer spray.

[ocei77]

Nothing will work long term until you pull the pin, clean it and it's mating hole thoroughly, then grease it.

Some things cannot be sprayed and expected to work well.

 

O.

Edited January 14, 2017 by ocei77

[DaveT]

+1 what ocei77 wrote. Spray does nothing to remove the gunk that is still in there. Wd40 is great at dissolving some types of dried up grease,but it evaporates, leaving the dried up grease...

[idosubaru]

OK, the WD40 freed up the sticking brakes for a few weeks, then more problems. I sprayed it down again aleviating the problem for the time being. Will try other stuff, but prefer spray.

Why are you preferring the wrong product? WD40 is not recommended, needed, or used on any Subaru systems.

 

That's like using cooking oil for engine oil, mouthwash for coolant, tractor hydraulic oil for brake fluid, and elmers glue for cv joint grease.

It'll all "work" somewhat.

 

1999 and earlier you can use the green permatex. It doesn't last as long (maybe just in the rust belt?)? but you can use it. Shop across the street from my office doesn't like it either.

 

2000 and up, specifically any Subarus with rubber pin bushings on the pins - those need the purple stuff or SilGlyde or equivalent. Traditional greases can swell the bushings and they hang in the bore. These greases are superior to the green stuff mentioned above, they last longer.

 

Alternately you can throw the pin bushings away and run any grease you want. I throw the bushings away but still use the better greases as they last longer.