DT-SPD

iTrader: (7)

Hi,

Does it matter which way round this spring is fitted to the Brembo front caliper ?? I get pad knock and wondering if I've fitted the spring the wrong way round.

D1CCY

Spring is symmetrical.

DT-SPD

iTrader: (7)

Its not, each end is different as in the picture.

D1CCY

Quite right, saw what I expected to see, sorry, on my (now sold) 03STi these springs were symmetrical.

Looking carefully (cough) I'd guess the spring in the picture is the right way because the lip at the bottom will stop the tendency of the spring to move up in normal braking.

Even so pad knock has more to do with the pad clearance in the caliper. IIRC there should be little stainless strips for the contact faces on the edge of the pads and these can fall out when dismantled, are these in place.

DT-SPD

iTrader: (7)

There are metal plates fixed to the caliper and the usual metal plate/shim between the pads and the pistons ( can just about be seen in the pic ). There was no other metal strips. The pad knock only seems to happen when its really cold outside, which suggests to me that the pads a slightly small and have clearance to allow expansion with heat. The original pads were reallly tight in the caliper, took some work to get them out.

I am sure there must be a fix for this noise, just hoping that someone knows of it before I try and work out my own solution.

D1CCY

I did help someone with this problem on a BMW. I'm sure some will disagree or not like the following but it did work. Easier on the bimmer as the pads had long end tongues where the Brembo pads don't have much edge.

Take the pads out and hold the edge of the pad backing plate on the side of a vice. Belt other side of pad with 4 lb club hammer to flatten it slightly thus making it a bit longer and a tighter fit. Personally I'd put up with the knocking - good luck.

cster

Are you sure the spring is not symmetrical?
It looks to me like it might not be engaging the top (in picture) pin correctly.
Try removing it from the callipers and then take a look at it.
Could be wrong, but I seem to remember the same thing with my own ones.

maydew

iTrader: (9)

worry when they stop knocking,means your calipers are seized lol.

DT-SPD

iTrader: (7)

Thanks for all the replies

Since the weather has stayed above 0degC the pads have not been knocking anywhere near as much, so I will leave them be and just enjoy the car.

D1CCY

Wise move.

cster, please see my admission that I was wrong further up the post, as I said the spring on my 03STi was definitely symmetrical. I agree the one in the picture is not.