Clean and Lubricate Brake Components
The braking system at each wheel must be kept clean and lubricated so the rear auto adjusters will work properly and the front and rear component parts will work together.
Front calipers should be lubed with caliper grease each time pads are replaced. If one brake pad on a front wheel wears faster than the other, this is a good sign the caliper is not squeezing evenly or not releasing completely. Proper lubing of the caliper will usually fix this. Be careful not to use excessive lube or get any lube on the pad surfaces or rotor surface.
Rear shoe pivot points, and particularly the threaded tensioner adjustment mechanism, must be kept clean and lubed. You should easily be able to turn the tensioner with just your fingers. If not, it should be disassembled, cleaned with brake parts cleaner and lubed with brake lubricant. Any friction point should be lubed lightly. Do not allow lube to get onto the shoe surface or on the drum surface. Do not use excessive lube that can drip onto braking surfaces when components heat up.
