For those that have used Pastelub on brakes, what all do you put it on? I'm looking at buying some Raybestos DBL-2T for the caliper pins, but for everything else I'm considering using Pastelub. I haven't bought it yet, just researching. I live in the rust belt, and one of the main things I'm looking into is whether to use any sort of lube on the brake pad ears or the pad-side of the pad clips on the brackets. I know some people swear by using nothing, others swear by using something. Is Pastelub OK to use on these areas? My main concern would be the lube gunking up with dirt and brake dust and grabbing the pads more than just putting nothing on the ears and clips. They call Pastelub a "dry film" lubricant, so is it like a dry graphite type of surface, or is there some wetness to it that will grab and old onto dirt, salt, etc? I'd love to hear how others use this... thanks.
Hello arm3112,
I've been using Pastelub for over a dozen years. Let me share my experience. To my knowledge, Pastelub is made in Switzerland by Igralub that specializes in railroad industry lubes:
https://igralub.com/en/products-industry-crane-car/?lang=en The Pastelub 10/12 is the equivalent to the U.S. product Pastelub 2400. The U.S. importer (to my knowledge) is Gary at
https://www.gwrauto.com/gwrmain.html
From a previous BITOG post of mine:
The formula changed several years ago. It's now a darker black color vs. dark gray and is extremely sticky/clingy - almost annoying to apply. The old stuff was 99% impervious to water absorption with extreme rust prevention. The new stuff seems less impervious - palm glop under sink running water test. I tried contacting the company for info, but didn't follow through. Time will tell if it is still a rock star.
Old on top vs. new on bottom.....................rust free hub on my 10 year old Patriot - old product. New product wait and see.
I use Pastelub on metal to metal exposed to weather components:
- UNDER the caliper anti rattle clips to prevent rust bloom that causes binding.
- Caliper pad ears. Drum brake shoes backing points.
- Rotor hats, both sides. Exterior brake drum surface.
- Anywhere I want rust prevention
- In all cases,
applied by massaging a paper thin layer onto the surface. NO gooping whatsoever.
- Agriculture uses: gate hinges, etc..
2 year review of the NEW Pastelub: Sadly, it is NOT as good as the old product IMO. Advertises >30% solids vs. old >40% solids. M77 is >60% solids. More wet/stringy/clingy.
MORE able to imbibe water (similar to silicone grease now). The old product was impervious to water absorption. Less rust prevention, but still good. No problems with dirt adherence causing problems.
I am inclined to look for other products. Maybe Dow/Honda
Molykote M77? Other high solids, brake safe pastes?? Paste is just a term for a less oily type of grease. It is NOT dry lube. The idea of these pastes is that as the oils/carrier dissipate, the solids (moly "marbles") hang on to provide lubrication.
Would be interesting to contact Gary at GWR to find out why the formulation changed. Environmental Regulations? Personal safety? Marketing? Cost Cutting? He did not want to tell me via email....only phone, and I did not follow up.
FYI, I used 3M silicone grease for rubber boot enclosed pins. After trying all the gimmick brake pin lubes, simple silicone grease lasts the longest in my vehicles and rust belt environment.