Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair Asked by schimmeljager on May 25, 2021
I changed brake pads on my Toyota Sienna LE 2009. I used these pads https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/carquest-wearever-platinum-professional-ceramic-brake-pads-front-4-pad-set-pxd906ah/10866511-P
I had hard time fitting the new pads into the caliper bracket. When I insert one end, the other end would pop out. It as still possible to fit both ends in, but it took some effort. After the pads would not slide all the way to the rotor by hand. I was still able to fit the caliper on the bracket with new pads. After pushing brakes, the piston and caliper did squeeze pads to rotors of course. I took the car for a test drive, and of course got the rims overheated. I suspect the pads do retract well. Nothing horrible happened from 3 miles drive, just hot rims and smell, but it is not good.
I was surprised to see this situation. It must be the right fit. At least that is what Advance Autoparts says. I changed brake pads a few times and at least one on this vehicle but never experienced something like this.
I was looking online, some folks say that the most reason for this is rust buildup on the caliper bracket, so need to clean it. Well, the bracket is rusty to an extent but I do not think there enough rust to add substantially to thickness.
What if pads of this model of pads or just a batch are just a bit longer. It is a matter of just one millimeter really. I guess I can try to return the pads, get a different kind and try to fit them. Not sure the store will take back after they have been installed already. Or should I try to sand off half a millimeter on each end of pads? Do those ends have some protective coating which should not be sanded? Should I sand and clean the caliper brackets?
Thanks!
The bracket should be cleaned thoroughly. Use a wire wheel and if necessary the edge of a cut off wheel just enough to get all rust off. Clean everywhere the clips make contact. If no clips are required, then everywhere the pad ends make contact. Use brake grease on these contact points. Use new clips if required. If they are still too tight, inspect the ends of the pads. I've seen burrs and lips from when the press that punches them out can leave a lip. File deformities out enough to allow them to slide.
Correct answer by Jupiter on May 25, 2021
I own a repair shop here in Brazil, and this kind of thing is relatively usual, because we have a lot of brands that make low quality pads that we have to use anyway, as we have no other option. And, when the pads are bigger than the caliper, we always sand them to fit. I start to worry when the pads are (very) smaller! Happened one time or two.
Answered by Fausto on May 25, 2021
It turned out that Jupiter was right. I cleaned the rust from the pad holding trough on the bracket, and that was enough to pads to slide in without much. I did not need to do anything with the pads themselves. I used an oscillating multitool with metal saw blade for most of rust removal (just needed to keep a gentle touch) and a bit of sanding with sand paper by hand. I put everything, went for test drive on the same route as yesterday. No overheating this time.
Answered by schimmeljager on May 25, 2021
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