MG Car Repair: brakes, white lithium grease, brake squeal

Question
QUESTION: hi - can you help me with drum brakes? all i need to know is if I can use copper anti seize grease to lubricate them. I have been recommended to use white lithium grease but was wondering if copper would do the same thing?

Many thanks.

ANSWER: Depends what are you lubricating. (make and model of car would help).  

The bearings inside the brake drums MUST NOT be contaminated with copper grease.  It contains small particles of copper that act as an abrasive, and it will quickly ruin a bearing.

It is better than lithium grease for the actual rubbing points, where the brake shoes make contact with the cylinders and back stops, but be sparing because it must not get into the cylinder, where it would contaminate the rubber seal and the brake fluid.  If you have an expander between the shoes, then a small amount around the pivot is a good idea, but make sure it is free of rust before you do this.  I would use a drop of 3-in-1 oil to get the pivot nice and loose first.

With disc brakes, a LITTLE copper grease on the back of the pad will help to prevent brake squeal.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thanks - well its a modern car and a rover 200 believe it or not, but I was also asking about servicing in general. I presume lithium is usually used as it is a softer metal with less chance of damage. I was trying to see if 'one grease could rule them all' !

Would Lithium Constant Velocity Grease be better/just as good for areas where I need to be careful of contamination? If yes is it just as good for disk brakes at the back of the pad to prevent squeal?

thanks!!!


Answer
CV grease tends to be lithium based, but with a molybdenum disulphide additive.  Check the colour, it will be black, whereas straight lithium grease is a light creamy yellow colour.    

Don't use anything other than copper grease for the backs of brake pads.  You can buy it in a tube under the trade name Coppaslip or similar.

I currently have a tub of LM for the grease gun and wheel bearings, a tub of MS for CV joints and a tub of CopperEase for the brakes and to stop alloy wheels from corroding to the hubs.  In my opinion, one grease does not suit all.