Can someone tell me:
1. what is the purpose of the U-shaped spring clip found on the front brake pads?
2. What impact, if any, would cutting said clip have on the safety/performance of the brakes (see pic)?



Reason I ask is I was looking at some MGP "brake caliper covers" on american muscle's site and in the install instructions it tells you to cut these clips off prior to installation of covers. Seems like dubious advice to me but I thought I'd ask out of curiosity. Not looking to debate whether or not the caliper covers are cool or lame; already did a search and found threads about that.

Thanks

 

They probably are anti-rattle/squeal springs that also hold pads inplace for assembly as well.

 

So cutting them off would do what - make them squeal? Make them unsafe? Make them slip out of place?

 

That is an anti-rattle/positioning clip. It helps prevent brake noise, as well as helps to keep pad properly positioned.

 

Don't cut them, just bend them in for the clearance needed.

 

I'm not sold on the caliper covers by any means, just curious as to whether or not their install instructions are bad advice or not. The install instructions on the A.M. site say "cut", not "bend" the clips. I'd hate to see someone wreck their ride because they followed some poorly thought out directions. Seems odd to me that the pad manufacturers would go to the trouble/expense of putting these clips on the pads if they were "expendable".

 

The MGP website has a demo video showing the bending of the clips ...

 

+1; it is interesting that the install video has the installer bending rather than cutting the clip.

 

Exactly - it is interesting because no one seems to be able to say what effect (if any) fooling around with this clip will have on safety/performance of the brakes. Here's a link to the install instructions on A.M. site. See step 2.

http://www.americanmuscle.com/0509-m...r-install.html

 

Bingo. No safety factor involved, just nuisance.

 

Those clips are an absolute PITA to not snap off when replacing front pads. I wish I had monoblock calipers w/ drop-in pads just to avoid the clips. If they're not for safety, I'll just disregard them entirely next time.

 

+1......... total PITA when I did my brakes.

 

Just replaced mine and was a little forceful with one of the replacement pads and one of the clips broke off. Found this thread in searching for what purpose they serve - was paranoid that it would cause me trouble but if they are just for noise I suppose not. Brakes seem to be working fine

 

One of those clips kept flying away everytime I tried to mount the pads in the caliper bracket. Was able to get it back on though.

The clips pull the pad away from the rotor surface. Not sure how necessary this is since I don't believe the rear pads have them (haven't changed the rears yet).

 

Clicking noise when braking
my son just replaced front and rear pads and rotors on my Mustang .....now i have clicking noise when braking .....the u clips on front pads were taken off because they kept coming off ....them not being on now ...is it the cause of the clicking noise because pads are slipping ....also on rear pads ....does one pad have nodules on it to seat into the piston

 

What do you mean by the u clips kept coming off?
You put them in place and then put in the brake pad. The brake pad holds the clips in place.
The clicking sounds like something is rubbing against your wheel or the rear guard (behind the rotor) is bent a little and is rubbing.