I was getting a scratching noise from the rear left, so I looked around and found a shim had gotten loose and was bouncing around against the edge of the rotor. I didn't want to take the caliper off just then, so i just pulled the shim out through that slot in the caliper. I'm just wondering what exactly this shim does, and if it's safe to drive without it until i replace my rear brake pads (soon).



Thanks!

 

edit:......Recommend you replace it soon as possible....

 

That's not a "shim". That's the retaining spring. It keeps the brake pad centered in the caliper. I would pull the brakes apart and put it back in, ASAP.

 

good catch.......didn't even really look at the pic...

Shim lays across the pad....

 

I just looked it up and it's a retainer -- number 21 here: http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/auto/j...gry5=REAR+BRAKE

It doesn't seem like the brake pad has any room to move. I figured it was just there to hold the pad in place while you have the caliper off. The only contact it makes with the pads is where it is sandwiched between the side edge of the pad (the small edge) and the inside of the caliper. If there's any more wiggle room now than there was before, it's only about as much as this thing is thick (not very).

You guys still think it's important?

 

Is it the upper one or lower one?

Put it back in. If it's deformed, replace it. The pad will shift about in the caliper bracket without it.

 

It's the lower one. Probably the more important one?

I guess I'll just go ahead and replace it tonight. You guys probably know better than I do. Damn, and I just took a shower too.

 

If it was an interior trim piece, I'd say leave it out.

When it come to brakes......you know

 

Question - Can I drive without this shim on?
Answer - Yes, but you might not be able to stop!

 

There is no emergency. Yes the shim helps keep the pad in place but it's main function is noise control. It keeps the pads from knocking around, which you will hear over bumps (when not on the brakes) without it.

We have several race cars including our S2000 that are shim-less and I can tell you there is no problem stopping. Why would we do that, you ask? Well on the race cars we go through a lot pad material and all that stuff builds up on the shim areas and can actually cause the pad to not fully release from the rotor which acceleates wear but more importantly builds up heat, reducing braking performance. For our race cars, it's much easier to to clean and swap pads without the shims.

On the street, I would put the shim back in but just realize it's not an emergency and your not in danger brake failure as some here seem to indicate.