brake pad issue

[dano1946]

Help!  I have a bit of a brake pad issue.  On my 99IS I replaced the front brake pads and when testing the new ones I hear a terrible grind from the left front disc.  I removed them (testing the roll noise when the left was off - nice and quiet - so it's the left front pad) and tried to be sure the pads were correctly placed (i think I got the rear pad spring back in correctly) and re-installed them.  Same grinding.  I'm noticing that the outside pad seems to be not sliding toward the disc the same as the inside pad - there is very little clearence between the outside of the caliper and the disc (almost like the pad is somehow stuck in the caliper.  I've pumped up the brakes and have good pressure there (the right caliper/pads work perfectly) - is it possible that i somehow screwed up the rear pad spring and it is holding the left outside pad from engaging the disk?  any suggestions - i hate to take it to the dealer to be fixed.

thanks.
Dan
 

[Bone]

Did you clean the pistons? As the pads wear the pistons work almost fully extended and develop a ring of crud at the point they enter the caliper. The new THICKER pads push the pistons into the caliper deeper than they had been working with the thin, worn pads. This slows or stops their return when pedal or lever pressure is released.

[hubcapsc]

Did you happen to take the front wheel off, or mess with the axle any?
The axle has to be mashed in all the way flush, not sticking out even an 8th of an inch,
or you'll get scrubbing.

-Mike

[dano1946]

no, didn't remove the wheel.  i'll try taking the caliper of and cleaning the pistons.  i'm afraid i may have bent that little clip in the back of the caliper (pad spring, i think) - if so, could that cause this, can they be purchased seperatly, how critical is it?

thanks.

[Ricky-D]

You shouldn't be able to "pump up the brakes".

Insure the calipers are able to move freely. Called "floating calipers".

Insure the axle is correctly positioned.

***

[hubcapsc]

no, didn't remove the wheel.  i'll try taking the caliper of and cleaning the pistons.  i'm afraid i may have bent that little clip in the back of the caliper (pad spring, i think) - if so, could that cause this, can they be purchased seperatly, how critical is it?

thanks.

Every time I put in pads I have to remember how to put that clip back in.
I guess it might be possible to put it in wrong, you could check that. I
wouldn't leave it out, or ignore the noise... your dealer or your favorite
online OEM parts place can get you new ones for about $5...

-Mike

[dano1946]

i went to the dealer to get a new one and was told it only comes as part of the caliper arm ($78) - that's a bit steep - also looked on dlp list and it lists it as part of that arm.  the one i have is kinda bent up so i'll try fixing it up and re-using it.  what is its purpose anyway?

[hubcapsc]

i went to the dealer to get a new one and was told it only comes as part of the caliper arm ($78) - that's a bit steep - also looked on dlp list and it lists it as part of that arm.  the one i have is kinda bent up so i'll try fixing it up and re-using it.  what is its purpose anyway?

Dealer's often don't try very hard. The front one is part number 45108-ML7-922 and the rear one is part number 43108-MT3-006,
and they really do cost around $5.

It, like, aligns the end of the pads that aren't aligned and held on with the pin,
and maybe does other stuff too...

-Mike

[dano1946]

Thanks Mike.  I owe you one.

Dan