Brake pad spring clips...alignment issue

Car54 · 07-13-2013, 11:22 AM

Just installing some track pads for next weekend. I was installing PFC08s with spring clips. I've never noticed before that the piston side pad's spring clips are not symmetric with the pad. The spring clips have three points in a triangle formation with a single rivet that allows them to spin on the backing plate.

Now if you install them with say the largest clip to the hub you get a certain alignment that allows the pad to rock and pivot in the carrier. If you take the clip and rotate 180 degrees, the pad will not rock and pivot in the carrier. WTF? Have you guys noticed this? Certainly not having the pad seated fully in the carrier will reduce the carriers ability to "lock" the pad in. Right?

Discuss please.

1MOREMOD · 07-13-2013, 11:59 AM

interesting wonder if this is the case with my pagid rears. having issue with pad rattle back there. will have to look into whether my clips can be rotated.

My Schnell · 07-13-2013, 02:26 PM

I have pad rattle too ... mainly when I reverse then go forward. you hear a slight clunk, like the pads move a little in the carrier/caliper. Sure it is this too ...

Good discussion topic ...

Things that make you go hhmmmm!

mid-corner fun · 07-13-2013, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Car54

Just installing some track pads for next weekend. I was installing PFC08s with spring clips. I've never noticed before that the piston side pad's spring clips are not symmetric with the pad. The spring clips have three points in a triangle formation with a single rivet that allows them to spin on the backing plate.

Now if you install them with say the largest clip to the hub you get a certain alignment that allows the pad to rock and pivot in the carrier. If you take the clip and rotate 180 degrees, the pad will not rock and pivot in the carrier. WTF? Have you guys noticed this? Certainly not having the pad seated fully in the carrier will reduce the carriers ability to "lock" the pad in. Right?

Discuss please.

I've only dealt with 2 sets of PFC08 fronts and they both had loose clips on the piston side only. Initially I thought it was a bad set so I hammered them in but after the first track day they were loose again anyway. Not sure if this is by design but remember that until recently (a year or 2) all PFC track pads had no clips and were designed to float on the caliper, perhaps this is a continuation of this design with reduced ability to rattle. Just a theory.

Car54 · 07-13-2013, 06:26 PM

I don't think I got this clear enough to you guys.

The piston side pad, it basically rotates around the pad. Depending on how you orient that clip determines how the pad will sit in the caliper carrier. I would think you'd want the pad making as much contact with the carrier as possible. When the clip is rotated around, it adjusts the location of the pad within the carrier.

TXmtrhed · 07-13-2013, 07:50 PM

Which way is the OEM clip oriented? I would think the PFC's should be installed the same way.

mid-corner fun · 07-14-2013, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Car54

I don't think I got this clear enough to you guys.

The piston side pad, it basically rotates around the pad. Depending on how you orient that clip determines how the pad will sit in the caliper carrier. I would think you'd want the pad making as much contact with the carrier as possible. When the clip is rotated around, it adjusts the location of the pad within the carrier.

Yes, but I don't understand how it'd change the contact surface by rotating the clip, there's only 1 way to position the pad in the carrier, no? Is this what you're talking about?

Car54 · 07-14-2013, 10:24 AM

Yep so if you take the first picture, then rotate the clip 180 degrees, you may find the pad doesn't sit as neatly in the carrier. It would kinda of rock and pivot on the pad.

I'm saying when you install the pads, check for rocking. If it does, take it out and rotate the clip and try again to compare my results.

bigjae1976 · 07-14-2013, 09:31 PM

But once you clip in the pad and put the caliper back on, how is that clip going to rotate? Unless its loose in the piston but I don't see the big deal since most track pads don't have that clip.

Car54 · 07-15-2013, 06:46 PM

The clip won't rotate, it will hold the pad from flush and settled into the carrier. I'll take a video when I swap pads again.

07-13-2013, 11:22 AM	#1
Car54 Captain 36 Rep 927 Posts Drives: 2014 M-Sport Wagon - EBII Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Lutz, FL iTrader: (1)	Brake pad spring clips...alignment issue Just installing some track pads for next weekend. I was installing PFC08s with spring clips. I've never noticed before that the piston side pad's spring clips are not symmetric with the pad. The spring clips have three points in a triangle formation with a single rivet that allows them to spin on the backing plate. Now if you install them with say the largest clip to the hub you get a certain alignment that allows the pad to rock and pivot in the carrier. If you take the clip and rotate 180 degrees, the pad will not rock and pivot in the carrier. WTF? Have you guys noticed this? Certainly not having the pad seated fully in the carrier will reduce the carriers ability to "lock" the pad in. Right? Discuss please. __________________ Craig Brickner Click to Join: BMWCCA # 366493
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07-13-2013, 11:59 AM	#2
1MOREMOD - 11817 Rep 23,187 Posts Drives: Race car-> Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: check your mirrors iTrader: (5)	interesting wonder if this is the case with my pagid rears. having issue with pad rattle back there. will have to look into whether my clips can be rotated. __________________ 02 Tiag e46 M3\|6MT\|GC plates\|MCS c.o.\|GC bars\|GC race control arms\|GC bushings\|BW eng. & tran. mounts\|subframe kit\|BW race shifter\|BW Jaffster\|Euro header\|BW exhaust\|K&N c.a.i.\|Epic race tune\|Rouge pulleys\|Seibon CF hood\|CSL bumper\|apr gt 250 & splitter\|ST-40\|XR-2\|SS lines\|half cage\|Recaro profi\|Profi 2 harness\|BMWpedals\|BW studs\|
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07-13-2013, 02:26 PM	#3
My Schnell Private First Class 23 Rep 143 Posts Drives: E90 ///M3 6MT / Gen II Raptor Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Colorado Springs iTrader: (1)	I have pad rattle too ... mainly when I reverse then go forward. you hear a slight clunk, like the pads move a little in the carrier/caliper. Sure it is this too ... Good discussion topic ... Things that make you go hhmmmm! __________________ 2009 E90 ///M3 SG Fox Red 6MT Slicktop, AA X-pipe w/straight pipes w/Eisenmann Sport, Dinan intake, AA Pulley, ZCP strut retro w/Dinan Stage III susp, BPM Stage II tune, Rear Fog LCI switch, BMW Edition Front & Side Grill/Gill, Thrust Arm Monoball, Solid Subframe Bushes, Black 19x9.5/10.5 APEX PS-7s, Vibra-Technics engine mounts, Auto Solutions shifter 20% throw, WPC treated Rod Bearings & AiB v4-Now, Not Wife approved!!
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07-13-2013, 06:26 PM	#5
Car54 Captain 36 Rep 927 Posts Drives: 2014 M-Sport Wagon - EBII Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Lutz, FL iTrader: (1)	I don't think I got this clear enough to you guys. The piston side pad, it basically rotates around the pad. Depending on how you orient that clip determines how the pad will sit in the caliper carrier. I would think you'd want the pad making as much contact with the carrier as possible. When the clip is rotated around, it adjusts the location of the pad within the carrier. __________________ Craig Brickner Click to Join: BMWCCA # 366493
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07-13-2013, 07:50 PM	#6
TXmtrhed First Lieutenant 37 Rep 381 Posts Drives: VO 1M Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Katy, TX iTrader: (0)	Which way is the OEM clip oriented? I would think the PFC's should be installed the same way. __________________
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07-14-2013, 10:24 AM	#8
Car54 Captain 36 Rep 927 Posts Drives: 2014 M-Sport Wagon - EBII Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Lutz, FL iTrader: (1)	Yep so if you take the first picture, then rotate the clip 180 degrees, you may find the pad doesn't sit as neatly in the carrier. It would kinda of rock and pivot on the pad. I'm saying when you install the pads, check for rocking. If it does, take it out and rotate the clip and try again to compare my results. __________________ Craig Brickner Click to Join: BMWCCA # 366493
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07-14-2013, 09:31 PM	#9
bigjae1976 Major General 1570 Rep 8,076 Posts Drives: 11 E90 M3 Individual Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (22) Garage List 2004 BMW M3 [4.50] 2011 BMW E90 M3 [5.25] 2013 BMW 328i [5.00]	But once you clip in the pad and put the caliper back on, how is that clip going to rotate? Unless its loose in the piston but I don't see the big deal since most track pads don't have that clip. __________________ 2018 F30 320iX Melbourne Red 2011 E90 M3 Monte Carlo Blue 2004 E46 M3 Imola Red 2000 E36/7 Z3 Steel Blue
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07-15-2013, 06:46 PM	#10
Car54 Captain 36 Rep 927 Posts Drives: 2014 M-Sport Wagon - EBII Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Lutz, FL iTrader: (1)	The clip won't rotate, it will hold the pad from flush and settled into the carrier. I'll take a video when I swap pads again. __________________ Craig Brickner Click to Join: BMWCCA # 366493
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