Front Pads VERY Tight Inside Slides

[duke16]

When doing my front pads, I went and replaced the hardware also (the slides). But when I went to put the new pads on, they wouldn't go on very well. I greased the slides plenty, but I had to use a hammer to get both the top and bottom of the pad inside the slide/holder thingy. This just doesn't seem right to me. The pads I took off came straight out, and I didn't have this much trouble with the rears. I'm worried now that because they are in there so tight that they may not be sliding back properly when I release the brake pedel. Are they supposed to go in this tight?

[Turdle]

I'm almost certain they should slide freely. Maybe the caliper was rusted a bit-or on the outside chance, a manufacturing error on the part of the brake pad vendor.

[duke16]

Yea, it really didn't seem right having to hammer them in. I'll try cleaning the area on the caliper when the slides go a little better.

Thanks.

[Blee1099]

if I recall there is a metal tab on the backside of the pads, did you make sure you put the right one on the right side?

[techieman33]

I didn't have a whole lot of trouble getting mine in when I did them, the only difference I remember in the pads is that one side has a "feeler" on it, that has to go on the outside.

[duke16]

Well I cleaned off any rust where the slides attached to the caliper, and the pads went on better. Didn't have to use a hammer this time. They still didn't slide right in there, but I think there fine now.

Originally Posted by Blee1099

if I recall there is a metal tab on the backside of the pads, did you make sure you put the right one on the right side?

Metal tab? The anti-rattle clip?.. I made sure that was on the inside, bottom.

Originally Posted by techieman33

I didn't have a whole lot of trouble getting mine in when I did them, the only difference I remember in the pads is that one side has a "feeler" on it, that has to go on the outside.

Feeler?... not sure what that would be.

[duke16]

I'm still getting a feeling that my pads are sticking to the rotor after I release the pedal. Ever since I replaced the pads, it seems as if I've lost performance and gas mileage... and the only other thing I did at the time was the sway bar links and bushings. But is it even possible for the pads to be causing enough friction against the rotor once my foot is off the brake pedal to cause this? Without pressure being applied I wouldn't think it would be possible, but I can't think what else could be causes the performance loss.

- EDIT -

I thought maybe there was to much brake fluid, but I checked the reservoir and it's right at the line.

[JohnJ]

Is it possible that you've got one of your hoses twisted?

[duke16]

I did think of that, but I took a look and they seemed. I also thought that maybe the inside lining of the hose had collapsed. But no, the problem turned out to be the pads. I removed them and put my old ones back on, drove around a little and they were fine. Acceleration was back, I wasn't having to rev so high. So I went over to Autozone and picked up some Duralast Golds and they went on fine. It's a shame too, the Bendex pads I got seemed to stop better then these Duralasts.

[96eb96]

Originally Posted by duke16

I did think of that, but I took a look and they seemed. I also thought that maybe the inside lining of the hose had collapsed. But no, the problem turned out to be the pads. I removed them and put my old ones back on, drove around a little and they were fine. Acceleration was back, I wasn't having to rev so high. So I went over to Autozone and picked up some Duralast Golds and they went on fine. It's a shame too, the Bendex pads I got seemed to stop better then these Duralasts.

I had this happen with pads and ended up filing them a bit to fit.