Front Calipers - General Questions

[StefanVXR8]

After finally rebuilding my rear calipers and getting them working nicely including the fact the handbrake now holds on my steep drive with 3 occupants, I thought it was time to replace the pads in the fronts.

Driver side was easy to do but the passenger side lower small piston will not budge and looks like there may be corrosion in there so I’ve ordered two rebuild kits with stainless steel pistons with the intention of doing both.

However, what I noticed was that I had no anti-squeal shims on either side (have ordered along with a new fitting kit) which could be the reason for the brake squeal when they get hot (I’m sure the squeal is from the front).

When I rebuild the whole brake assembly, with the anti-squeal shims and anti-rattle springs etc, do I still need to use copper grease or similar on the backs of the pads etc?

Stefan

 

[Penguin]

When I rebuild the whole brake assembly, with the anti-squeal shims and anti-rattle springs etc, do I still need to use copper grease or similar on the backs of the pads etc?

Stefan

most car mechanics would, although i have to say that after almost 40 years in the motortrade no one has ever explained to me how copper grease on the back of pads is supposed to help

i might just add that no car comes from the manufacturer with grease on the back of the pads. Also that the guys (myself inc) who work in my workshop usually only ever apply grease to the edges of pads where they rub on caliper bodies or the slides and we dont have issues with pads squealing

 

[classicalgreen]

glad you have a decent rear brake. mine is always rubbish ! just about passes and MOT! my front brakes squeal unreal part load when warm. I have both anti squeal shims and copper grease! new pads too !

 

[StefanVXR8]

Thanks for the comments guys, will see how I go. Hoping that the rebuild of the fronts is much easier than the rears

 

[keynsham1]

I also have no idea why or even if copper grease stops squealing but I have a tub of it and always apply it to the back and edges of the pads. If there are shims, then I put it on both sides. As I have never 'not' used it, I don't know whether it stops the squeal if there is indeed aver a squeal to begin with, but I have certainly never had squealing brakes!!

If it is needed, it is there, if not, it isn't doing any harm!!

 

[quattro]

I was always under the impression that the metal of the piston, on the back of the metal pad caused the squeal because of a high pitch vibration, and the copper grease allowed some slip to alleviate this. I may have made that up

 

[StefanVXR8]

All done.

One thing I did note is that the anti-rattle springs won't fit if you either use the shims that come with the pads, or the 'original' shims. I tried to bend the spring to accomodate but it didn't want to know, anyway, with copper grease in the right places I have no squeal on a road test where I did get it before.

Have to say, getting the dust seals to stay in place and push new stainless steel pistons through them was a real pain!

 

[RoverD]

Hey all new to this got my 73 p6 V8 few weeks ago going to tackle the front pads are they difficult or straight forward

 

[StefanVXR8]

Hey all new to this got my 73 p6 V8 few weeks ago going to tackle the front pads are they difficult or straight forward

As long as the pistons and seals are good, then it's pretty straightforward

 

[RoverD]

Thanks Stefan il be tackling them soon, trying to get parts in Ireland is a nightmare

 

[StefanVXR8]

Thanks Stefan il be tackling them soon, trying to get parts in Ireland is a nightmare

Try Wins International, I’m in Australia and can get spares delivered inside a week, so from their location in the UK to you should be pretty decent..

 

[RoverD]

Cheers ...postage is double the price of parts but ima searching around Ireland .....if I can get part numbers and cross-reference them I might be lucky

 

[cobraboy]

Unipart GBP203
Lockheed LUP209
Ferodo FDB342B

 

[RoverD]

Thank you cobraboy much appreciated