1998 Jimmy 4WD 4 door

I'm doing my shocks, brake pads and rotors myself for the first time. I have the front axle "done", but got to thinking about the sliding of the brake pads.

The old brake pads did not slide easily. I cleaned the metal clips thoroughly with brake cleaner before transferring them to the new brake pads. I used a file to clean the slide slots in the brake brackets. I applied a silicone based libricant made specifically for brake slides. I have the correct brake pads.

The new brake pads, with cleaned up clips, wouldn't just "slide right into" the bracket slots. I had to use a rubber hammer to gently tap them into place (the bracket was off, as I replaced the rotors, too). When in place, using both thumbs I could get each brake pad to move in small jumps, although sometimes kind of crooked. They do not "slide very smoothly".

I know the caliper pistons will have no problem pushing the pads against the rotors. I just don't kow how easily they pads are supposed to slide, so they back off the rotors when the brakes are released.

How easily should new brake pads slide within the bracket slots?

Thanks in advance.

 

anybody?

 

I have done my brakes myself for many years and I have had both easy and difficult times installing the pads. It varies from manufacturers as the steel parts of the pads are stamped with dies. The next time you change the pads try a different brand of brake pads and you will notice that there will be a difference in how they fit. The sliding of the brakes is not that big of an issue unless that they are so snug that you have to pound them in. Once you install them to your truck and depress the brakes, the pads will remain in constant contact with the rotor just not under any pressure until you press the pedal, in other words they glide along the surface of the rotor barely touching. I hope this helps ease your concern.

 

OK, I gave it about two weeks. Drove the Jimmy about 50 miles or so. Every time the front brakes smelled hot. Jacked it up and the front wheels were hard to rotate--the brake pads were sticking against the rotors. So I pulled both front brakes apart again. I had to grind the painted pad plate tabs down a fair amount to get things to slide easily. I also used the grinder to clean the corrosion off the metal clips, and to clean the bracket slide grooves down to fresh metal. Lubed the slides up with silicone lube and put it all back together. The pads now slide freely. Ran it at 75 mph for awhile and nothing is getting hot. So I think the issue is solved. Thanks.