Brass guide bushings and antiseize don't mix

sipman · 05-15-2013, 11:03 PM

Hey all.

I've learned from my mistake, hope you can to. I installed the brass guide pin bushings most of us know about.
I read somewhere about how they require more maintenance than the standard rubber. I also read on some post to use Anti Seize compound on them. Well, did a track weekend on them and can't tell if they helped, but I had uneven pad wear.

Turns out that while Anti Seize compound stop two metals from chemically binding together, it also gets really gummy and sticky after a number of heat cycles.
My pads were worn unevenly. Like the piston was sticking against the rotor. I didn't realize it was the antiseize until my last track day on the original rubbers bushings. The pins still have antiseize on them, and terrible uneven pad wear again!

I discovered that AntiSieze should not be used for the guide pins. Instead, look for a siliconized Brake Lube/silencer. I think they are called both or either. It works to silence vibration, but also to lube the guide pins, and the siliconized stuff is good for high temps.

This is going in my track day tool bag now. Much cheaper than pads!

Hopefully my mistake saves you from making it too

seank · 05-15-2013, 11:19 PM

I made the same mistake back in the day on the track car. They don't need any lube. That is why it is made of brass. They call it "self lubricating." Just clean them every 3-6 months.

exdos · 05-16-2013, 03:52 AM

I have the brass bushings and use a thin smear of copper grease with no problems. I think that's the recommended way for these. With the OEM plastic bushings, no lubrication required.

inTgr8r · 05-16-2013, 05:23 AM

Look it up.
Ron Stygar posted it up several years ago according to BMW, even the OE pins are not to be lubed.

JasonH · 05-16-2013, 02:33 PM

I haven't checked with Bimmerworld, but I'll be installing these soon on my track car, and a number of racers use and recommended Permatex 24125 to lubricate the pins.

05-15-2013, 11:03 PM	#1
sipman Private First Class 19 Rep 196 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4MC Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Philly iTrader: (1)	Brass guide bushings and antiseize don't mix Hey all. I've learned from my mistake, hope you can to. I installed the brass guide pin bushings most of us know about. I read somewhere about how they require more maintenance than the standard rubber. I also read on some post to use Anti Seize compound on them. Well, did a track weekend on them and can't tell if they helped, but I had uneven pad wear. Turns out that while Anti Seize compound stop two metals from chemically binding together, it also gets really gummy and sticky after a number of heat cycles. My pads were worn unevenly. Like the piston was sticking against the rotor. I didn't realize it was the antiseize until my last track day on the original rubbers bushings. The pins still have antiseize on them, and terrible uneven pad wear again! I discovered that AntiSieze should not be used for the guide pins. Instead, look for a siliconized Brake Lube/silencer. I think they are called both or either. It works to silence vibration, but also to lube the guide pins, and the siliconized stuff is good for high temps. This is going in my track day tool bag now. Much cheaper than pads! Hopefully my mistake saves you from making it too __________________
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05-15-2013, 11:19 PM	#2
seank enthusiast 48 Rep 1,695 Posts Drives: e30 m3,e90 wagon,sprinter,z4m Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: sacramento, ca iTrader: (4)	I made the same mistake back in the day on the track car. They don't need any lube. That is why it is made of brass. They call it "self lubricating." Just clean them every 3-6 months.
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05-16-2013, 03:52 AM	#3
exdos Second Lieutenant 6 Rep 222 Posts Drives: Z3 M Coupe(S54) and Z4 M Coupe Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I have the brass bushings and use a thin smear of copper grease with no problems. I think that's the recommended way for these. With the OEM plastic bushings, no lubrication required. Last edited by exdos; 05-16-2013 at 05:56 AM.. Reason: more info
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05-16-2013, 05:23 AM	#4
inTgr8r Lieutenant General 2426 Rep 11,667 Posts Drives: M2 Comp Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (10)	Look it up. Ron Stygar posted it up several years ago according to BMW, even the OE pins are not to be lubed. __________________ '21 M2C Hockenheim Silver '18 718 Cayman S Lava Orange (sold) '13 E92 M3 Santorini Blue (sold) '07 Z4 M Coupe Alpine White (sold)
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05-16-2013, 02:33 PM	#5
JasonH Private First Class 2 Rep 102 Posts Drives: 2007 M Coupe, 2003 M3 Vert Join Date: May 2012 Location: Newark, DE iTrader: (1)	I haven't checked with Bimmerworld, but I'll be installing these soon on my track car, and a number of racers use and recommended Permatex 24125 to lubricate the pins.
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