I bought the Performance Friction Carbon Metallic pads for my car, and when I tried to install them with the old shims, they didn't fit. I compared them to my Nissan pads (which still had lots of life in them at 42,000 miles), and the PF had a shim-width plate on the back. I blue gooed them, not knowing whether it only helps when true shims are present, and popped them in.

Was this ok to do? They've not made a single sound so far.

 

Thanks, Mike. I did reuse the anti-rattle springs becuase I could tell that they would be necessary.

If rotor warpage occurs from hot pads causing the rotor to cool at a slower rate under the pads, then I'd think these springs really make a difference in rotor life, helping them to cool uniformly by keeping the pads away when parked.

 

I did the same with the PF in the back.. the bendix titatiums in the front came with their own shim that had self stick adhesive on them - that may or may not squeek slightly when i brake. I've had other pads that would make the entire block look up and see - so this ever so ofter minor squeel is nothing BUT i probably wont use shims at all next time.

 

The shims are for silence, not for stopping power. If your brakes are quiet then you are fine. Enjoy the ride!