I installed some porterfield rear pads today and they fit really snug against the rotor, but ignored that because I figured the piston would find the right pressure when I started driving.

well, a mile down the road I smell brakes burning, and I feel a major pull from the brakes. I pull over and the rear brakes are smoking.

So I come home slowly and put back the old pads. This was the first time I've ever installed brake pads, so I was wondering if I did this wrong. Am I supposed to compress the piston when installing new pads? I tried to a little, but it didn't want to budge. I was able to move the piston back on the front though when I did the front pads. Also, when I installed the porterfields, the parking brake got really tight after only one click. Perhaps I needed to loosen that? The porterfields measured 0.5 mm thicker than the stock pads.

I might have ruined the porterfields but I'd like to know what I did wrong so that I don't do it again.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by The Reverend
[B]Have a big c clamp and a big file ready.

 

When my mechanic was installing my R4S' he had to file the "ears" on the pads. They were too thick and this was not allowing the pad to "float" over the disc. If he hadn't done this, they would have been in constant contact the disc causing overheating. This may have ben your problem.

 

the rear brake piston has to be rotated in order to get it to go in. it's a real pain in the ass!!

krazik had some problems with his porterfields not fitting perfectly as well, he had to do some filing if my memory serves me.