Is there anything wrong with filing the front brake pad ears?
Just curious as I've already done it to one pad. I had already did some research and found that it is commonplace to do so. Just looking for more opinions before continuing further.
Basically, I bought some brake pads and they barely fit with the old clips, and absolutely wouldn't go on with the new clips. There wasn't a lot of rust or corrosion either. I did take a metal brush with some brake cleaner and tried to clean out the bracket and the old clips.Still no luck, even with the new clips.
I drive a 2004 ford Explorer 4.6l AWD/4WD and the pads are Duralast Gold Ceramic Brakes for the front axel. I didn't finish the job as I ran into this issue. I've filed down the ears off of one pad just enough to remove the "paint" or coating. Will try it out in a couple days when it warms back up.
Thanks for any help!
Added (1). Just wanted to give advance that I do know that removing material off the ears makes it vulnerable to rust and corrosion. I've heard that brake grease will take care of that. These bakes are merely temporary until next summer when I can afford higher quality brakes.
Added (2). One more update. THEY ARE THE CORRECT PADS. I'VE TAKEN THEM BACK TWICE TO TWO DIFFERENT PARTS STORES AND THEY ARE A MATCH TO MY MAKE, MODEL, ENGINE, AND DRIVETRAIN.
Just curious as I've already done it to one pad. I had already did some research and found that it is commonplace to do so. Just looking for more opinions before continuing further.
Basically, I bought some brake pads and they barely fit with the old clips, and absolutely wouldn't go on with the new clips. There wasn't a lot of rust or corrosion either. I did take a metal brush with some brake cleaner and tried to clean out the bracket and the old clips.Still no luck, even with the new clips.
I drive a 2004 ford Explorer 4.6l AWD/4WD and the pads are Duralast Gold Ceramic Brakes for the front axel. I didn't finish the job as I ran into this issue. I've filed down the ears off of one pad just enough to remove the "paint" or coating. Will try it out in a couple days when it warms back up.
Thanks for any help! It happens sometimes, usually with off brand pads and thicker clips. Filing the pads down just enough to fit is just fine, don't worry about it.
I have replaced thousands (not kidding) of brake pads and the odd time I've had to do it there's been no ill effects whatsoever. Some Chrysler pads used to come with a little package of different sized clips for this very reason. You did NOT find out it is common, because it isn't. Next time, try buying the proper pads to fit your car. They don't fit, because you bought the wrong brake pads for your car. Now that you've damaged them, you can't take them back. You should not need to do anything to the pad, except slip them into place.
You did NOT find out it is common, because it isn't. Next time, try buying the proper pads to fit your car.
They don't fit, because you bought the wrong brake pads for your car. Now that you've damaged them, you can't take them back. You should not need to do anything to the pad, except slip them into place.
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