QUick question.

I changed the brake pads on my max and noticed that these after market pads take a bit of work to slide them into the callipers.

I took the dremal tool to grind the edges slightly to make it even go in.

Should it fit really tight, snug or should it slide on smoothly and be able to easilty move?

I have seen a mechanic force the sucker on but not sure if that is the correct way.

Thanks,

K

it should slide freely or else the pads would stick and cause overheating problems, noise ect.

you have to make sure calipers are in all the way, do not grind pads because they should fit if their the right ones. they should slide in smoothly.

are you using a clamp to push the caliper piston in?

i had to sand down my rear pads, just the sides where they slid into the touque member. there was extra paint on the edges that was like 1mm too think. if youre talking about the same thing youre good.

from what i was told, when u apply new brake pads, they should be a very tight fit and should have an ever so slight rub on the rotors. After little driving they smoothen out keep their space between everything. Thats what causes the grinding sound you get when u sometimes first put on pads.

From memory, I believe that when I got the piston fully retracted, they slid in very easily--as soon as the brakes were actuated they were snug. I don't think that and grinding down of the backing should be necessary. With all the squealing/groaning issues, doing that could add yet another unknown to the situation. my .02

I don't think he's talking about the pad material, I think he's talking about the flanges that go into the slots on the torque member.

Well, only the poster knows what he means, because he said "edges." I think what you are referring to are the things that look like pins?? on the OEM's, which do seem to be like our appendixes. But for whatever reason they belong on the inside I think.

Anyway, pads should simply fit, imho. My OEMs did on front/rear once the pistons were fully retracted.

You should not have to grind/sand your pads at all. Make sure your piston is all the way in, if they dont fit like a glove, take them back.

If you are attempting to install the brake pads in front, you should be able to push the piston back with a C clamp and dont forget to open the brake fluid cover so the pressure created when the piston go back in the cavity can be release. If your installing the brake pads in the rear, in order for the piston to go back in the cavity you need to remove the Emergency brake cable this will allow you to push the piston back.

Good luck.

AA

Exactly. I have had to do this numerous times using aftermarket pads on our customer's cars.