Rear Brake Shims

[Guest]

How important are they? As I was rebuilding my rear caliper, I noticed that the old shims pretty much disintegrated. Are they really that important? Should I spend the coin and wait the time for new ones, or can a guy just slap the pads in without? I know it sounds stupid since they were in there, they must be there for a reason, but it has me wondering. One of them was pretty much paper thin and about as stiff too, and the other was half there as it was. Opinions please.

[DannyMotor]

You talking those little metal forms that go over the back of the pads? You can run without them... but they're made to prevent vibration, squeal, and the pad metal from getting rust-welded to the piston...

They don't really affect anything otherwise. The piston will still clamp.

I'd put some on order and slap them in when you get them. At least for piece of mind sake.

[Gonzo]

Awesome, thanks Danny. If that's all they're for, I just might clean the old ones up and slap them back in for now. It really had me scratching my head though since one felt almost like plastic since it was so thin and the other looks like they forgot to stamp the whole thing out.

[cowboyup3371]

I took mine out and put copper anti-seize in there instead; haven't noticed any problems yet