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Old 07-02-2009, 07:30 AM   #6
kenju4u
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So I resolved the issue I was having with the grinding noise and vibration coming from the car when applying brakes after getting the caliper, pads and rotors replaced. Turns out the dumb a$$ mechanic didn't put any shims or pad retainer clips when he changed the calipers, rotors and pads. This caused the pads to shift up and down during driving and causing noise and vibration when they shifted back into place when applying brakes.

To resolve the issue I bought a kit from Nissan for the shims and pad retainer clips and installed them myself. Noise is gone and brakes are working good now.

Surprisingly a lot of write-ups on brake replacement don't mention how important the shims are and even more important no one seems to mention the pad retainer clips that go in the torque member and the caliper I had to figure out what those were and figure out how to place it inside the caliper.

I also learned that grease does not need to be applied to the top and bottom of the shim or to the back of the pads but instead to the edge of the brake pads where there are 3 nodes protruding out. These 3 nodes are the only parts of the pads that touch the guides on which pads sit and move in and out when applying and releasing brakes. Applying grease to the back of the pads and under the shims might help keep the shims in place while they are being installed but other then that they serve no purpose.

Thanks,
Ken
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