Front Caliper clearance.

[Johnny4428]

After servicing the front Caliper and fitting new seal and pads, I couldn’t get the required clearance between the rear Caliper pad and disc. Backed the adjuster screw right out and still gripping the disc, making it difficult to move about in garage. I could see no option but to make and fit a shim between rear pad holder and brake Caliper arm. That fixed it now have the required clearance. Anybody had this problem before with pads?

[Oddjob]

Check you haven’t fitted the wheel spindle in backwards. Iirc the lock nut fits to the left side, as in near the disc

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Also that plastic pad that sits behind the pad - mine was on the wrong side when I fitted my first set of pads

[Johnny4428]

Checked that Ted, that was one of my initial thoughts. I’ll check the wheel spindle Ken, I haven’t removed the wheel but that’s not to say a previous owner had incorrectly fitted it. Although I think my problem was clearance between both pads.

[Johnny4428]

Thought you were going to be “on the money” there Ken but just checked and the spindle is fitted correctly.

[Oddjob]

Is the wheel bearing retainer on the left as well Johnny?

The reason I'm asking is that the pic appears to show the caliper carrier not directly above the disc, it should be. If the disc is fitted in the wrong place that would explain why the pads don't fit. Also remove the inner pad and see what width it is so others can compare to theirs.

Another problem I spotted on one set of pads was that the inner pad didn't sit flush to the carrier, due to the locating lug on the top not sitting correctly in the groove on the pad.

I've also got a couple of the rear carriers which are twisted, the pad wouldn't sit flush all the way round. It's been a while since I spotted that and I may be mistaken but there was some sort of alignment problem between the pad and the carrier.

[Johnny4428]

Thanks Ken, a few things to check out tomorrow. The rear brake pad did look to be incredibly thick! I will post tomorrow. Getting late for us early risers! 🥱🥱

[Bryanj]

What make of pads did you fit?

[Johnny4428]

Had to cast my mind back Bryan, these were the pads I bought, they were that cheap there’s not even a pic!🫣

[Bryanj]

Distinctly possible they are too thick then, i will see if i can find my nos vesrah set and measure them

[Johnwebley]

Does the piston push back into the caliper?


Sometimes the rubber seal loses its flexibility

So the pads can bind on the disc

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[Johnny4428]

Caliper been cleaned painted and new seal fitted John.

[Johnwebley]

Caliper been cleaned painted and new seal fitted John.

Does the pad move freely in the caliper?


Almost all the pads I have fitted, Needed paint removing from the circumference

Just straw clutching

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[Johnny4428]

Sorry John, yes free to move. The rear pad is 13mm thick, which includes the bonded metal part. And Ken, wheel bearing retainer is on the left (n/s). Think the photo makes it look like it’s not fitted right.

[Oddjob]

Just measured my SBS ceramic rear pad and not including the lump on the back of the pad it's 12.7mm thick. I did fit it into a rear carrier and found the lump on the back made the pad rock, there's a corresponding lump on the carrier in the middle and I'm not exactly happy about the way it makes it rock, I may check my original Honda pads for the same lump, if it's not there I'll grind the lump off the back of the SBS pad.