Disc Brake Pad Installation

[kodpkd]

1961 BT7. Original front calipers, just rebuilt. I got a set of semi metallic pads I want to try. The pads on the car don't have much wear. I am having a hard time pushing the cylinders back enough to slide the new pads in place. Calipers and rotors on the car. I have tried opening the bleeder. I got the pads from Moss. Is there a trick to installing new pads? They almost seem to thick.

 

[Healey Nut]

You physically have to push the piston back into the caliper . If you have the old pads out then use a bar or screwdriver or something to drive the piston back ,opening the bleeder will make it easier .

 

[kodpkd]

That's what I tried. The pistons seemed to want to spring back out. I will try again.

 

[John Turney]

Sometimes a small C-clamp can be used to squeeze the pistons back.

 

[kodpkd]

The pads from Moss came with a backing shims. I removed the shims, squeezed the pistons in more and could, just, slide the pads in. They seem snug, but I will have to do a test drive and see how they feel. I am doing an adjustable tie rod install, it will be a few days.

 

[BobHaskell]

The shims may be anti-squeal shims, although the Moss website states their semi-metallic pads (585-527) come with anti-squeal compound bonded to the pad.

 

[kodpkd]

I got the classic gold semi metallic 517-005. I have a 61 BT7. These also say the have anti squeal compound, but they had a shim glued to the back.

 

[kodpkd]

I retracted the pistons a little more and was able to get the pads into the calipers. They seem a little tight. I did take it for a short test drive and the discs didn't get hot. However the brakes don't seem to be very strong. When the weather gets better I am going to do a breakin process.
My question, after installing new pads, will stopping get better after they are broke in?

 

[BigGreen]

Brake pads that make good contact with the brake disc heat up due to the friction.
Even a new brake pad has to wear in a little on the brake disc in order to achieve optimum friction

 

[kodpkd]

Sorry. I was talking about REALLY hot. Hotter than normal.

 

[BigGreen]

Braking during a lap of less than a kilometer makes the disc hot enough for a blister on your finger

 

[John Turney]

I retracted the pistons a little more and was able to get the pads into the calipers. They seem a little tight. I did take it for a short test drive and the discs didn't get hot. However the brakes don't seem to be very strong. When the weather gets better I am going to do a breakin process.
My question, after installing new pads, will stopping get better after they are broke in?

Yes.