Embarassing, dumb brake pad question.
10-02-2008, 11:08 PM
#1
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Embarassing, dumb brake pad question. Hey guys.
I am not a brake expert, nor have I ever changed a brake pad before.
Yea, yea I know. I've done a heads / cam / rear end / transmission / clutch etc on this car... and never touched the brakes.
Well tonight I swapped the pads out, and I couldn't help but notice there was nothing that seemed to hold the brake pads in place.
The rear brake calipers have 3 total clips, one in the middle, and one at the top and one at the bottom, yet these don't firmly hold the pads. What I mean is this, I put it all back together and the wheel will turn with no brake pressure, and it stops with brake pressure... but even with no brake pressure if I look at it you can see the pads are still touching the rotor. Is this normal?
I mean on this particular brake system, do the pads sort of free float inside the caliper? And only provide stopping power / clamping force when the brakes are applied? It seems to me if they are this way, they would lightly rub all the time.
Just seems odd to me it is set up this way.....
I am not a brake expert, nor have I ever changed a brake pad before.
Yea, yea I know. I've done a heads / cam / rear end / transmission / clutch etc on this car... and never touched the brakes.
Well tonight I swapped the pads out, and I couldn't help but notice there was nothing that seemed to hold the brake pads in place.
The rear brake calipers have 3 total clips, one in the middle, and one at the top and one at the bottom, yet these don't firmly hold the pads. What I mean is this, I put it all back together and the wheel will turn with no brake pressure, and it stops with brake pressure... but even with no brake pressure if I look at it you can see the pads are still touching the rotor. Is this normal?
I mean on this particular brake system, do the pads sort of free float inside the caliper? And only provide stopping power / clamping force when the brakes are applied? It seems to me if they are this way, they would lightly rub all the time.
Just seems odd to me it is set up this way.....
Last edited by ineedashortblock; 10-02-2008 at 11:21 PM.
10-03-2008, 09:28 AM
#2
You should have these metal clips in the front too. The brake pads do float in between the caliper but it is very a close fit. when you push the brake pedal it will apply the clamping force on the pads.
Last edited by conan; 04-29-2009 at 09:31 PM.
10-03-2008, 10:02 AM
#3
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/disc-brake2.htm
The clips are just anti-squeal clips. They work with the grease you applied to the metal on metal contact surfaces (right?) to cut down noise.
As the pads drag on the rotor, they will naturally pull away (like skipping a stone on water) and press against the caliper instead of the rotor.
The clips are just anti-squeal clips. They work with the grease you applied to the metal on metal contact surfaces (right?) to cut down noise.
As the pads drag on the rotor, they will naturally pull away (like skipping a stone on water) and press against the caliper instead of the rotor.
10-03-2008, 12:49 PM
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Hey guys.
I am not a brake expert, nor have I ever changed a brake pad before.
Yea, yea I know. I've done a heads / cam / rear end / transmission / clutch etc on this car... and never touched the brakes.
Well tonight I swapped the pads out, and I couldn't help but notice there was nothing that seemed to hold the brake pads in place.
The rear brake calipers have 3 total clips, one in the middle, and one at the top and one at the bottom, yet these don't firmly hold the pads. What I mean is this, I put it all back together and the wheel will turn with no brake pressure, and it stops with brake pressure... but even with no brake pressure if I look at it you can see the pads are still touching the rotor. Is this normal?
I mean on this particular brake system, do the pads sort of free float inside the caliper? And only provide stopping power / clamping force when the brakes are applied? It seems to me if they are this way, they would lightly rub all the time.
Just seems odd to me it is set up this way.....
I am not a brake expert, nor have I ever changed a brake pad before.
Yea, yea I know. I've done a heads / cam / rear end / transmission / clutch etc on this car... and never touched the brakes.
Well tonight I swapped the pads out, and I couldn't help but notice there was nothing that seemed to hold the brake pads in place.
The rear brake calipers have 3 total clips, one in the middle, and one at the top and one at the bottom, yet these don't firmly hold the pads. What I mean is this, I put it all back together and the wheel will turn with no brake pressure, and it stops with brake pressure... but even with no brake pressure if I look at it you can see the pads are still touching the rotor. Is this normal?
I mean on this particular brake system, do the pads sort of free float inside the caliper? And only provide stopping power / clamping force when the brakes are applied? It seems to me if they are this way, they would lightly rub all the time.
Just seems odd to me it is set up this way.....
