See attached PDF
Ears are the square bits that stick out at each end of the pads, they slide in grooves on the caliper - the groove is lined with a stainless steel shim material and does not corrode, but the ears are normal steel and do go rusty which can cause binding, OEM good quality pads normally contain a sachet of black molybdenum / graphite high temperature thick grease, the grease is mainly for the ears as it is exposed and normal thin grease would get washed out, it is high temperature (as all brake grease should be) to stop it melting and running onto the pad friction material and discs.
Not recommended to use the supplied graphite grease on slide pins, use ceratec or TRW PFG110 special brake grease.
On the handbrake spring and pivot I use the same spray grease that I use for my motorbike chain, Wynns chain grease with PTFE, it goes on thin and thickens up and is very 'clingy', I also use it on brake pipes and exposed threads under the car to protect them - this grease is also rubber friendly (motorbike chains have 'O' or 'X' rings in the links to keep water and dirt out) so can be sprayed onto pretty much anything under the car, also bonnet latch mechanism etc..
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