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mrgrim007's avatar
mrgrim007
Explorer
Sep 05, 2019

Anti-seize on brake caliper bracket?

I just got done rebuilding the front-end on my 2002 Suburban (ball joints, pitman arm, etc.). The bolts that hold the brake caliper bracket to the knuckle always seem difficult to remove.

This time around, I decided to add anti-seize to each of the four bolts.

Now I’m second guessing myself and wondering if I should take them back out, clean off the anti-seize and possibly add some loctite instead?

Thanks
Tow Vehicles

30 Replies

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  • GeoBoy's avatar
    GeoBoy
    Explorer
    Sep 06, 2019
    Turtle n Peeps wrote:
    You have no worries about having lube on your bolts.

    Bolts don't loosen up because they are lubed up. They loosen up because they are not properly tightened.

    Think of rod bolts in an engine. They are in lube all the time 24 hours a day and they don't loosen up or have loctite on them. They don't loosen up because they are torqued properly.

    X2. Use anti-seize on the caliper bolts and torque to manufacture spec. I was a Saab mechanic and never had a brake caliper fall off a car ever.
  • Turtle_n_Peeps's avatar
    Turtle_n_Peeps
    Explorer
    Sep 06, 2019
    You have no worries about having lube on your bolts.

    Bolts don't loosen up because they are lubed up. They loosen up because they are not properly tightened.

    Think of rod bolts in an engine. They are in lube all the time 24 hours a day and they don't loosen up or have loctite on them. They don't loosen up because they are torqued properly.
  • Fulltimers's avatar
    Fulltimers
    Explorer
    Sep 06, 2019
    If you looked close you might have seen the loctite on the bolts when you took them out. Loctite and proper torque is the right way to do the job. At the very least, Proper torque. Brakes are very important to get right.

    At least that's my thoughts.
  • Cameo_Phil's avatar
    Cameo_Phil
    Explorer
    Sep 06, 2019
    Brake caliper bolts and slides should use Sil-Glyde silicone grease to keep things lubricated and rust free.
  • Cummins12V98's avatar
    Cummins12V98
    Explorer III
    Sep 05, 2019
    The Pro I used for 40 years used anti seize on slide bolts and mating surfaces on calipers.
  • 1320Fastback's avatar
    1320Fastback
    Explorer
    Sep 05, 2019
    You'll be fine. Have been using anti seize on spark plugs, glow plugs, brake caliper bolts and many other things for decades and have never had one work loose.
  • bobsallyh's avatar
    bobsallyh
    Explorer II
    Sep 05, 2019
    You shouldn't have a problem with anti-sneeze. If your worried about them backing out, drill a hole in bolt head and put a piece of safety wire thru the head and tie it to something close.
  • azdryheat's avatar
    azdryheat
    Explorer
    Sep 05, 2019
    I use anti-seize on the spark plugs on my Harley, as is required, and have no issues with them loosening. Your brakes should be fine.
  • cougar28's avatar
    cougar28
    Explorer
    Sep 05, 2019
    That not going to cause any problem as long as there tight. I’ve used it many times doing the same. They make a special grease like stuff just for that that you can buy also. Can’t remember what it called. That’s what my son uses at his auto repair shop. I just take my stuff to him to get repaired now. I get really good shop rates. LOL

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