Hello, i am putting my brakes back together and there is a little bracket shim thing on the inner side of the caliper bracket that is missing on my passenger side. the drivers side has one, but the passenger side didn't have one when i took it all apart. i am assuming that it is there for a reason and i should find another one. is this an item that a local napa would carry? dare i ask if i can do with out it? this isn't an anti- rattle clip, but a long contoured metal piece that hugs the bracket. also, my inner brake pads seem kind of loose. this is my first disc brake job so i am not sure how tight the inner pad needs to be. the outer one seemed to go in tight but the inner not so much. if anyone knows of a good thread on disc breaks that has nice pictures please let me know. i couldn't find one in the archives. thanks

Post a picture of this "shim" if you can - is the dust/rock sheild present on both sides?

 

Brake pads will be loose in the bracket if you don't have the anti-rattle clips. They are often missing though and shouldn't affect brake performance - they can be replaced - Beck/Arnley has a kit with all the clips for pretty cheap, etc. Check rockauto.com, or order from the dealer.

 

GD

Hello, i am putting my brakes back together and there is a little bracket shim thing on the inner side of the caliper bracket that is missing on my passenger side. the drivers side has one, but the passenger side didn't have one when i took it all apart. i am assuming that it is there for a reason and i should find another one. is this an item that a local napa would carry? dare i ask if i can do with out it? this isn't an anti- rattle clip, but a long contoured metal piece that hugs the bracket. also, my inner brake pads seem kind of loose. this is my first disc brake job so i am not sure how tight the inner pad needs to be. the outer one seemed to go in tight but the inner not so much. if anyone knows of a good thread on disc breaks that has nice pictures please let me know. i couldn't find one in the archives. thanks

 

 

hi,

i think the shim you are refering to is a part of the backing plate shield. as for the pads they sit in some metal spring clips that holds them in place within the carrier, they just float in that position. the easy way is remove the lower bolt,( not the mounting bolts) pivot the caliper up, screw the piston back in, and load the pads in the carrier and pivot it all back down over the rotor.

Factories can always be relied to not spend money in production unless required.

Generally these shims are stainless steel and help to make sure the steel and cast iron materials of the pads and the caliper body do not rust together affecting it's operating qualities.

They are specific to the caliper design but may be found on more than one model or manufacturers vehicle,see your dealer or visit a U pull it wreckers unless someone nearby on the board has upgraded their brakes and has some old unused spare brakes for parts. Cheers Steve