I started to change my front pads today . The only time I`ve done this job before was about 20 years ago , and I`m kinda out of practice ! The backs of the old ones had some kind of softish material with indentations where the two (large) pistons make contact . No shims to be found . The new pads , Mintex 1144 , have four much smaller circles cast deep into the backs and are supplied with a flimsy bit of soft plastic material which doesn`t cover much of the back of the pad . Are they compatible with my calipers ? Just looking for some reassurance because , call me old fashioned , I think brakes can sometimes be important on a car , particularly a quick and heavy one lol

I realise that , to the experienced among you , this is probably one of the stupidest questions ever , but humour me .

Ta in advance

:D

There should be 2 shims for the back of each pad, for anti squeal and keeping the pad in position, they should be lightly coated with copper grease, again helps with squealing and repelling water. The soft material on the back of the mintex pads are like a factory shim i think, but you would be better of getting hold of the original shims.

HTH

Thanks , Groover . I did use copper grease. The main thing , for me , is those missmatched ( ie 4 , as opposed to 2 ) "wells " in the Mintex pads . I`ll see how it performs minus original shims , then decide whether I need them .

:duffer:

Edited February 1, 200916 yr by Slowhand

The shims are primary to keep the pad operation quiet and in its not unusual for them to be missing alltogether.

 

The small shim works by very slightly changing the angle that the pressure is applied to the pad by the pistons.

 

What this does is prevent the pad resonating when applies which is heard as squeel.

 

So carry on in the knowledge all will be ok.

 

Jeff TT

Thanks , Jeff .

:bow: