Brake Pad Question

[chasineyes]

What is the purpose of that spring clip that goes on the back of a pad? I have one pad that doesn't have one and I am wondering if that is causing my "system" to run hot periodically? It seems like it's sticking (not releasing off the rotor) at weird intervals.

[Jeremy airjer W]

If two pads have it and two pads don't then you are describing the wear indicator. If you look closely it sticks out just a tad farther than the backing. When the pad gets to about 3/32" or so the indicator will rub on the rotor and make a squealing noise.

The pads should float freely in the bracket. If they are binding in the bracket than the brackets need to be removed, the shims removed from the brackets, and the rust removed from bracket under the shims. Then reinstall the shims and check to make sure the pads now move freely in the brackets.

Check the slides. They should also move freely with little resistance. If they are binding but still moving they can be removed from the brackets, cleaned, re-lubed, and reinstalled.

The caliper pistons should retract back into the caliper with little effort. If you really have to crank on them they are no good.

Lastly brake odes can collapse and cause a cliper to stick. It is getting more rare but it does happen occasionally.

A Year, Make, Model, and Engine Size would help.....

[chasineyes]

Thanks Jeremy...we installed NEW pads and calipers and rotors about a month ago. When I installed the one pad (on the piston side) the spring clip came off and I never put it on. Last weekened tooling around town it worked fine. Yesterday while tooling around town it was getting hotter and hotter, I could barely touch the rim/caliper it was so hot. It was sticking about 2 weeks ago so I took it apart and greased the guide pins thinking that was it. Aparently it wasn't. Is it possible the paint on the caliper is binding up the pads? Or did I not compress the piston far enough when I installed the pad? (Do you have to have the cap off the brake reservoir when doing this?) I would assume the piston will retract once it's been driven? It's a 04 Expedition...

[Jeremy airjer W]

Are you talking about the pieces that fit inside of the caliper piston?

Front of rear?

Did the pads slide onto the brackets easily?

[chasineyes]

Update...the pad has the rear ratainer clip on it (the one that goes into the piston housing). And I gresed the hell out of the guides and slides etc.. HOWEVER i found that i am NOT getting brake fluid to the caliper?? When I cracked the bleed screw I got nothing coming out, then I disconnected the main banjo fitting on the caliper and that was dry. I have a feeling I have a bad "soft" hose running from the hardline to the caliper. That is my goal to fix tonight!!!! I assume I should have brake fluid since the reservoir is 4 feet up and gravity always works.