How to Install Brake Pad Retaining Clip?

If you have a car with hydraulic brakes, this retaining clip may be useful in keeping your brake pads aligned and secured. 

The clip is easy to install and it can be done either by yourself or a professional mechanic. Place the retaining clip over the top of the brake pad bracket on your car’s rotor disc (the metal disk at the center of your brake pedal). 

Make sure that both surfaces of the clip are fully seated into their respective slots on the bracket and rotor disc before tightening down the bolts securely with a wrench/spanner combo (or using an impact tool if you’re feeling confident). 

Keep in mind that excessive torque will damage your braking system; use just enough force to keep things secure but don’t overdo it and be patient when installing this.

Brake Pad Retaining Clips

Retaining clips are a necessary part of installing or repairing brake pads on your vehicle. 

Worn-out braking systems can cause accidents, so it is important to have the retaining clips in place when working on them. 

There are a variety of styles and sizes available for purchase depending on the application and make/model of your car or truck. 

Make sure you use the correct size and type for your car’s brakes before ordering retainers online or at a hardware store, as some applications may require different types of clips than others.

If you ever experience difficulty using your retaining clip system, be sure to consult with an automotive technician for help resolving the issue quickly and efficiently.

How to Install Brake Pad Retaining Clip -Step by Step

If you’re ever in need of replacing brake pads, it’s a good idea to install retaining clips first. 

These clips hold the pad against the rotor and will keep it from moving during installation or removal.

Obtain the Correct Hardware

Before beginning any installation, it is important to have the correct hardware on hand. 

The clips you need will vary depending on the make and model of your vehicle, so be sure to check before starting anything.

Locate the Brake Pad Retaining Clip

The brake pad retaining clip is a small metal clip that attaches to the front of your brake pads and holds them in place. 

It’s important to replace this clip every time you change your brakes since it can wear down over time and cause problems with braking performance.

Remove the Old Brake Pad Retaining Clips

To remove the brake pad retaining clip, first, locate it on the front of your brake pads. Next, use a flathead screwdriver to pry off the surface of the clip until it pops free from your brakes.

Clean Up Any Surrounding Area

Once you have gathered all of the necessary materials, cleanup is essential in order to ensure a smooth and professional installation. 

Make sure any debris or oils are removed from surrounding areas so that your new clips look their best when they’re installed later on.

Mark Your Pad’s Location

Use a pencil to lightly mark where your brake pad should be located on the wheel hub using an “X” as a guide (or alternatively use some sort of permanent marker). 

This will help you identify and locate the clip once it has been placed into position correctly.

Place Clip onto Pad Holder & Secure with Nylon Locknut

To install these retaining clips, first place them onto both sides of your brake pad by inserting one end into either side hole found on each clip holder (use caution not to damage pads while doing this.).

Tighten Down Each Nylon Locknut

Next, tighten down each nylon locknut until snug against the wheel hub surface – do not over-tighten as this may cause damage.

Reattach Tab Securing Handle

Finally, reattach the tab securing handle if present then takes care when walking away from a car that the brakes won’t work.

Problems of Having Bad Brake Pad Retaining Clips

Brake pads need to be held in place on the rotors by clips. Over time, these clips can become worn or damaged, which can cause the brake pad to move and eventually fail. 

If you notice that your brakes are making a lot of noise or feel spongy when you press them down, it’s probably time to replace the retaining clips instead of reviving them.

Brakes May Not Work Properly

Brake pad retaining clips are designed to keep the brake pads in place when you apply the brakes. If these clips are not working correctly, your pedal may not work properly and you may have difficulty braking.

When these clips fail, your brakes may not work as effectively as they should. This problem can cause a variety of car problems including skidding and poor braking performance.

Clutch Problems

If the brake pads aren’t held down by the retaining clip, it will allow slippage between the clutch disks and the flywheel which can lead to a number of car problems including rough shifting and difficulty starting up your engine.

Poor Steering Response

A loose or stripped brake pad retention clip can also cause decreased steering response due to lost traction on the wheel hub assembly.

This issue could lead to accidents while driving in difficult conditions or on slippery roads.

Reduced Vehicle Stability

If there is excessive play in between the brake disc and rotor, this could result in reduced vehicle stability at high speeds or during hard cornering maneuvers. 

The increased likelihood of loss of control could put you and other drivers in danger.

Worn or Damaged Clips

If your clips are worn or damaged, they may no longer hold the brake pads in place adequately, which can cause a number of problems including poor performance while braking and decreased stopping distance.

Loose Clip Joints

Clip joints can become loose over time due to wear and tear. This can result in loss of braking power and increased chances of getting rear-ended on the road. 

Bent Clip Shafts

A bent clip shaft will prevent the clip from working effectively, which could lead to a loss of braking ability and even an accident.

Won’t Hold onto the Pads Tightly Enough

An incorrectly aligned retaining arm will also cause problems with your brake pad retention system- it won’t be able to hold onto the pads tightly enough, potentially leading to runaway wear on your brakes

FAQs

What Happens if You Don’t Install Brake Pad Clips?

If you don’t install brake pad clips, your car’s brake pads will wear down quickly. 

Without the clips, the pads will slowly move around on the rotor, causing the car to stop much sooner than it would if the pads were properly attached.

Do You Need Retaining Clips on Brake Pads?

Retaining clips are not always necessary on brake pads.

Do All Brake Pads Come with Clips?

Most brake pads do come with new clips, but it is always a good idea to check with the manufacturer before installing the pads.

To Conclusion

If you’re having problems with your car’s brakes, it might be because the retaining clips that hold the pads in place are worn out. 

Brake pads retainers clip onto your car’s brake rotors to keep them from moving and making noise while driving, or when the brakes are applied in a parking lot. 

There are different designs for these clips, depending on what works best for your car and braking system. 

If you do accidentally damage your brakes while trying to remove the retaining clip, don’t worry- there is an aftermarket option available that can fix this problem quickly and easily.