make me less dumb - how tight is too tight for brake pads? - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

slowmow · 10-27-2020, 02:10 PM

Hey all,

Just got some custom-made track pads from Raybestos/Porterfield - they were ground from a larger pad footprint. Some I had use a file on the backing plate edges to get them to fit in the caliper - but some are still TIGHT. With heat expansion, I'm worried that they might not move in and out as freely as they are supposed, and might drag, causing more heat, causing more sticking... etc.

Should I just drink a beer and forget it? File more off so they slide in/out more easily?

Thanks all.

DarkPira7e · 10-27-2020, 02:11 PM

They have to slide in and out freely. If they don't, you're going to run into trouble.

CSG Mike · 10-27-2020, 04:29 PM

With the retention clips, you should be able to get them in/out readily with just a tiny bit of tension.

What's necessitating a custom-made pad?

rice_classic · 10-27-2020, 05:57 PM

You want some slop and for racetrack I don't recommend retainer clips. I've had more hangups and issues with retainer clips than I care to admit before I threw them all away and life was grand.

On my CRX I used to buy pads from Porterfield for an S2000 then I would use a file to remove 1 or 2mm on the end tabs to fit in my calipers. The reason for buying the S2k pads was they were larger and got me more "meat" which translates to more heat sink.

nico_rsx · 11-02-2020, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rice_classic

You want some slop and for racetrack I don't recommend retainer clips. I've had more hangups and issues with retainer clips than I care to admit before I threw them all away and life was grand.

Any disadvantage of running without the retainer clips?

I bought new OEM brake pads for the winter (came with new clips), and I had to grind/file the backplate near the tabs because they were too tight...

rice_classic · 11-02-2020, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nico_rsx

Any disadvantage of running without the retainer clips?

Not in 16 years of W2W racing.

CSG Mike · 11-02-2020, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nico_rsx

Any disadvantage of running without the retainer clips?

I bought new OEM brake pads for the winter (came with new clips), and I had to grind/file the backplate near the tabs because they were too tight...

Just noise

Westen86 · 11-02-2020, 05:41 PM

I had to grind down the corners of the WinMax W3 pads I bought. Maybe 2-3mm on one side. You should not need tools to put in or take out pads. They sort of "click" into place. Not really, but very very little tension.

ZionsWrath · 11-03-2020, 12:19 AM

Take out old retaining clips. Clean any rust on the caliper bracket with a file before installing new clips. That is usually what causes this issue. But sometimes aftermarket pads are not perfect. Just make sure rust isn't the culprit first

Westen86 · 11-03-2020, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZionsWrath

Take out old retaining clips. Clean any rust on the caliper bracket with a [wire brush] before installing new clips. That is usually what causes this issue. But sometimes aftermarket pads are not perfect. Just make sure rust isn't the culprit first

.

10-27-2020, 02:10 PM	#1
slowmow Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Drives: 2015 BRZ Location: VA, USA Posts: 27 Thanks: 40 Thanked 8 Times in 5 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	make me less dumb - how tight is too tight for brake pads? Hey all, Just got some custom-made track pads from Raybestos/Porterfield - they were ground from a larger pad footprint. Some I had use a file on the backing plate edges to get them to fit in the caliper - but some are still TIGHT. With heat expansion, I'm worried that they might not move in and out as freely as they are supposed, and might drag, causing more heat, causing more sticking... etc. Should I just drink a beer and forget it? File more off so they slide in/out more easily? Thanks all.

10-27-2020, 05:57 PM	#4
rice_classic Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: Nevermorange FRS Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 4,160 Thanks: 755 Thanked 4,200 Times in 1,803 Posts Mentioned: 77 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	You want some slop and for racetrack I don't recommend retainer clips. I've had more hangups and issues with retainer clips than I care to admit before I threw them all away and life was grand. On my CRX I used to buy pads from Porterfield for an S2000 then I would use a file to remove 1 or 2mm on the end tabs to fit in my calipers. The reason for buying the S2k pads was they were larger and got me more "meat" which translates to more heat sink. __________________ SCCA T4 - FRS

11-03-2020, 12:19 AM	#9
ZionsWrath Thanks Join Date: Apr 2013 Drives: BRZ Location: NY Posts: 4,163 Thanks: 5,989 Thanked 3,100 Times in 1,498 Posts Mentioned: 38 Post(s) Tagged: 3 Thread(s)	Take out old retaining clips. Clean any rust on the caliper bracket with a file before installing new clips. That is usually what causes this issue. But sometimes aftermarket pads are not perfect. Just make sure rust isn't the culprit first __________________

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10-27-2020, 02:11 PM	#2
DarkPira7e Rust bucket enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2017 Drives: 2013 Turbo Firestorm FRS Location: Vermont Posts: 3,932 Thanks: 3,199 Thanked 4,095 Times in 2,045 Posts Mentioned: 31 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	They have to slide in and out freely. If they don't, you're going to run into trouble.

10-27-2020, 04:29 PM	#3
CSG Mike Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: S2000 CR Location: Orange County Posts: 14,530 Thanks: 8,918 Thanked 14,175 Times in 6,834 Posts Mentioned: 966 Post(s) Tagged: 14 Thread(s)	With the retention clips, you should be able to get them in/out readily with just a tiny bit of tension. What's necessitating a custom-made pad?

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