YACT: brake pads and shims

[NogginBoink]

I'm in the process of replacing the front disc pads on my wife's car.

The pads came with a set of shims.

Now that I've got the calipers back on, I have to wonder... um... what happens if I install the pads without the shims?

Should I remove the calipers and put the shims on, or am I okay without the shims?

 

[Vegito]

I would add shims... they're usually for noise damping and vibration insulations.. i know people will not replace them or put them on because they didn't buy it but it still works.

 

[lagvoid]

From my experience, they are only used for noise dampening as forcesho mentioned. I've reused old shims and just sprayed "Disc quiet" on the back of the pads to take care of the squeaking.

 

[NogginBoink]

I took the calipers off and inserted the shims. Took only a few minutes. The car test drives just fine.

 

[Quixfire]

Both above answers are correct. The shims are used to reduce noise caused by the brake vibrating while not being applied.

 

[Monkey muppet]

Originally posted by: lagvoid
From my experience, they are only used for noise dampening as forcesho mentioned. I've reused old shims and just sprayed "Disc quiet" on the back of the pads to take care of the squeaking.

or copper grease