Getting ready to change out the rear pads on the 09 Ultra. In the kit is a small tube of "brake paste" and a few very thin plastic bag type templates that fit onto the pads with circles cut into them.

The destructions say to install the template then put brake paste onto the template surface then wipe off the excess leaving a circle of paste that corresponds to the position of the caliper pistons. Then remove the templates and install the pads into the caliper.

Does anyone know waht the function of the 'brake paste" is?
I'm thinking:
Is it an insulation barrier to keep heat from transferring to the pistons?
Anti-chatter compound?

Do you guys use this stuff when you replace pads or should I chuck it in the bin...
I'm stumped-- any ideas much appreciated.

 

it is an anti-vibration thing. if you don't use it, the pad can vibrate slightly, and at such frequency that you would end up with a howling coming from your brake. it wouldn't affect the stopping performance any whether you used it or not, just the noise.

at least that's what it is for cars....

 

Harley's answer to rear brake howl/squeal

 

Thanks guys-- I'll use it, but it sure looks like it could be messy if not very careful on the install....

 

It's everyones answer ( and a good one at that ) to unwanted brake noise ... The "paste" acts as an insulator and limits the amount of vibration ( vibration = noise ) that can be transmitted form the pads .... in the automotive world it is commonly ( suggested ) used with great success ... Use it sparingly and be sure not to contaminate the friction surface or the swept area of the rotor.

 

I had brake squeal so bad that my '08 Ultra sounded like an old 1950's dump truck when it came to a stop. Frankly it was embarrassing. I tried changing the pads to Lyndall pads. no good. Bought blue brake squeal stuff at the local auto parts store, no good. Went back to the upgraded OEM kit with the brake paste. Squeal gone. 17,000 miles later never came back.

It works
Ratkiller

 

I like to think of it as "singing" -- I can't remember the specific frequency (but if I had the exact measurement of the pad, I could figure it out to within a Hz or two). But yeah, the paste is a high-heat resistant goop that buffered that quite nicely --- for a while...