Installing Anti-Squeal Shims

[TomoHawk]

You get two anti-squeal shims in a package, but do you only one per side or two? The FSM shows two on the one caliper.

The confusing thing was that the tabs looked like you would put one on each caliper, but the arrows didn't match the rotation.

thxZ

[sblake01]

The arrows indicate 'up' rather than rotation. One inner shim and one outer shim per side. They are mirror images of each other.

[TomoHawk]

In that case, bot hthe FSM andthe Nissan tech guy seem to be ib error. the tech guy told me one package (two shims) will do both calipers, and the FSM states that the arrow indicates the direction of forward rotation.

[sblake01]

FSM quote:

Install shim so that the arrow mark points to rotor forward rotating direction.

Done properly, the arrow on each shim will be point up which I guess also points in the direction of rotation. I never thought of it that way; seems somewhat redundant but remember that the comments in the FSM are Japanese to english translations/interpretations. As far as the Nissan tech being in error: shouldn't come as a real surprise...........there is a LH shim and a RH shim and you need two each to do both sides. The part numbers are 41084-A0100 (Shim-RH) and 41085-A0100 (Shim-LH).

Edited July 6, 2009 by sblake01

[sblake01]

Tomohawk, does that answer your question?

[TomoHawk]

Yeah, I think so. I will order another set when I'm out near the dealer.

Doing both sets of shims should even up the brakes, too, IMO. The one side with the shims is a little touchier now.

thxZ

[sblake01]

Did you put both shims on one side? Shouldn't have. Each side take one each of the two part numbers I listed above. Were the two you bought exactly the same or mirror images of each other?

[TomoHawk]

the brake guy did all the work. But the FSM shows two shims, one on the back of each brake pad.

#1 and #3 in the attached picture are the shims.

Edited July 7, 2009 by TomoHawk

[sblake01]

In that illustration, #1 is a RH shim (41084-A0100) and #3 is a LH shim (41085-A0100). They, of couse, would be reversed if you were looking at the other caliper.

[Sailor Bob]

When I had mine apart, I laid them out like the exploded picture to assist with reassembly. Lots of digital photos helped as well.

Just wondering why you are purchasing/installing these. Did they rust out?

[texasz]

I've got to be honest guys, I have never installed those when doing brakes and never had an issue. I know I probably should install them, they are included for a reason...I've just never had any squeeling after installing without them though.

[TomoHawk]

The reason I got some is because the brake guy put on two new rotors because it was squealing, stating new rotors would cure the problem. Since, I have had squealing and one side grabs more than the other. I'm surprised there is even room enough for the shims to fit!

Fortunately, the brake guy is nice enough to fix mistakes and only charges you for work DONE.

BTW- in the picture above, what are the "anti-squeal springs" for? IMO, they are part of the anti-squeal 'system' since they only touch the pins the pads slide on. I think I will pick up a set of caliper hardware for some new anti-squeal springs; maybe the ones on there are too old or weak to work right?

Sailor Bob-

My car never had the shims since I got it, and none of my repair books has them. Apparently, the "restoration specialist" that sold me the car took them out as one of the many things he did to "restore" the car, along with wiring the blower fan wrong, wrong radio wiring, funky a/c wiring & vacuum/refrigerant lines, $50 paint job, etc.

thxZ

Edited July 7, 2009 by TomoHawk