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I just recently upgraded my brakes and the new Hawk pads I received had no shims. I am using Zo6 calipers with the hawk pads but I cant seem to find any place to get these things? The squeeling of the brakes is just a little annoying :rolleyes: .
Those shims are noise suppressors. Some pads come with them and some don't. You wont find them anywhere for your pads unless the mfg. left them out. NAPA sells some orange stuff in a plastic bottle that I use and it works well... :thumbs:
One last thing - brake squeal - noise in general is something we fight everyday. It is caused by weather, dust, moisture, and the material makeup of the pad all in conjunction with the rotor surface. You can do, (what we call deglazing), and that is sand the surface of the pad and rotor to remove the glaze. This will cure your problem but it is only temporary, generally. Or, you can experiment with different pads. It is a pain, but, it is the way it is. Good Luck...
I used black RTV on the back of my new pads but the right stuff would be better to prevent rattle.
If you haven't done so, try properly bedding those new pads; if it doesn't stop the squeal pull the pads and hit them with rough sandpaper and repeat the bedding process.
The squeal is due to the pad adhesive glazing over the surface, which is prevented by bedding.
i went through the same dilema...., when i bought new brake pads for my 94 they did not come with any shims.... so i thought... do i need the shims, do i not need the shims?
am i supposed to have the shims, or is it better without the shims?
do i use the black rtv silicone stuff, do i not use the black rtv silicone?
the simple little dilema of using shims or not , or using adhesive or not was puzzling me...
i finally wanted a concrete answer.... so i went down to the GM dealer...., drove past some of the service bays...., happned to catch an older more experienced Gm mechanic servicing the brakes on a corvette, politely interupted his work and asked him these same questions...
what he told me was to never use shims nor any silicone or adhesive on any of the pads...., instead he suggested a little high temp grease on the backs of the pads, and all moving parts of the caliper......
I've changed all my pads about a month ago.... no shims, no adhesives,
and i have yet to hear the slightest squeek :thumbs:
There is a difference between shims and anti-rattle clips. Shims or rubber backing goes on the back of the brake pad and silicone can be used instead of the shim. Anti-rattle clips actually help keep the pads lined up in the caliper. Three clips per caliper on the C5 brakes, Also available from NAPA.