can u install w/o the shims, and be ok?

 

It'll be okay until you see the faces of people looking around to see the size of the truck stopping next to them. Use the shims, man.

 

I reccomend shims, matter of fact, i need to check my brakes, they freakin squeal like pigs, only when braking... either the shims aren't installed or i dunno know whats wrong. I did brakes on my 3rd gen and left the shims off, definately got more squeal. i think shims just help reduce noise and help pads move a bit, not get stuck to the caliper.

 

i agree...

 

The shims are an important element in suppressing brakes squeal. Reuse the factory shims or replace them with new. However there are a few kinds of replacement brakes, newly on the market, which use integral silencers instead of seperate shims.

Example: Raybestos Noise Solution.
http://www.raybestos.com/noisesolution.htm

Example: Wagner Thermo Quiet
http://www.federal-mogul.com/wagner/...rmo_quiet.html