Rear brakes: seating caliper w/tool - what if you didn't line up the caliper/pad nib

[91 LSC SE]

Hi Everyone,

I put new cross drilled (no slotted) rotors and pads on the M8 (Rear).

Two questions:

1. lining up nib or tab on back of pad with caliper (see below for details), how important is this? I would think it is.

2. Pad clips (not shims) came with my pads, but there weren't any when I removed the old pads and there wasn't enough clearance for these to go on bottom and top of each pad. Was it a packaging error or do the 1st gen's take these clips - will post pics if you like..

Details on question 1:
I used the tool to re-seat the caliper so that the new pads would fit, but didn't line up one of the the caliper indents with the pad nib.

Will the caliper turn untill it finds the nib and then lock or should I take the calipers back up and line these up?

Below is from the installation manual
6. Note:
Make sure the nib on the rear brake shoe and lining is engaged on the rear disc brake piston and adjuster and install rear disc brake caliper.

 

[chris2523]

post pics please, and yes, you need to line up the nub and detent.

 

[slowmkviii]

I've seen cars with horrible pad were cause the pin was not lined up.

 

[91 LSC SE]

Thanks Guys!


The pads are Vortex and supposed to be a higher end Canadian brand like Hawk, so google found in a forum or two anyway...

There is no way I could see that the pad and the clips would fit in the bracket, the pads are tight without the clips and clips fit but are not cut the same way (design) where the pad sits in the bracket.

I asked for zinc plated rotors and carbon pads. These aren't zinc - zinc wouldn't scratch as it is in the pic and the pads apparently are a Carbon metallic blend. You have to be careful these days when ordering parts. Always best to see parts before buying.

If you look above the jack you can see the rubber mount starting to crack. It still feels solid, but thought I would ask if you guys replace them when they start or is that normal for a 17 year old car?

See below for pics

 

[chris2523]

huh, i've no recollection of those clips on any car i've worked on.
they might be a sort of shim? i'm not sure exactly.

 

[91 LSC SE]

Thanks for the quick reply!

I think they are for a M7. If I recall our M7 had clips that the pad sat on and moved in and out. The Vortex pads do have side shims and these are for the top and bottom of pads. When I get a chance I will put my old pads from the last M7 brake job I did. I always keep old parts for comparison.

What do you think of the rubber mount above the jack?

 

[slowmkviii]

The zinc will scratch and once you use the brakes the contact surface will be zinc free

As for the rubber I don't think they make new ones
And it can be a huge job to replace
So imo if it feels good leave it

 

[chris2523]

i wouldn't mess with it unless you had some other reason to take it apart.
i'm figuring at that rust level, the subframe bolts will be difficult to remove.

 

[91 LSC SE]

Thanks, it is solid as a rock, just the outer thin rubber layer has started to crack.

 

[91 LSC SE]

Thanks Chris, that is Canada's ridiculous gov't for you. They drop salt, far too soon, far too much, far too often.
This M8 had the factory rust inhibitor from the factory, I can still see the application and in the 3 years I've had her, I've froze my ass off washing her at the coin opp car wash or at the bottom of my driveway after each drive in the snow.
Just last year I bought a kit from Corrosion Free and applied it to the M8. I haven't seen any further rust...if only the previous owner had it applied instead of the factory rust inhibitor.

 

[91 LSC SE]

The zinc will scratch and once you use the brakes the contact surface will be zinc free

As for the rubber I don't think they make new ones
And it can be a huge job to replace
So imo if it feels good leave it

I'm sure it isn't zinc, and is paint. I bought zinc plated rotors previously and there was a big difference between those rotors and these ones.

Also when I took the wheels off to line up the brake pad and caliper piston indent, the coating already scratched off the hub. The said I have a one year warranty for any defect, so if they rust after this winter, I will go back to them. If they don't back their product, I will find another supplier. Seems to be many brake manufacturers in Canada now.