Noise Shims For Brake Pads - Bed In

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EBC Brakes sell shim packs separate for their economy range pads where shims are not provided. The kits include enough shims for one set and are the fibreglass types which sometimes need to be cut to shape. Once you have the correct shape of shim , remove the protective paper to reveal the adhesive layer and press the shim firmly on to the reverse of the pad (painted backing plate side).	EBC Packaged Shims with brake pad

New disc pads take some time to bed down, even if you are using new or turned rotors and during this time when the pad is bedding in to match exactly the geometry of the rotor the pads can make noise.

The normal way to minimise this is to add noise reduction shims onto the reverse side of the pads which dampens the vibration caused by the pad which will "Chatter" slightly when not seated perfectly.

This noise would go away after 300-500 miles but to avoid irritation noise shims are used to reduce this sound.

There is no safety issue when a pad makes these noises during bed in, it is merely a cosmetic problem of the new brakes.

At this point we also want to remind you that new brake pads do take some miles to bed down and that bed in times on worn or old rotors can be a lot longer and that DURING THIS BED IN PERIOD BRAKES WILL BE LESS EFFICIENT especially if rotor condition is poor. If you are not sure what is acceptable and not, please ask a professional mechanic as driving a car with poor brakes is just not a good idea at all.

This is how a pre-cut shim kit looks, this one is stamped from a rubber/steel/rubber sheet and has claws bent up to prevent the shims from rotating after fitting. If your shims look like this remove the protective coating to expose the adhesive coating and PRESS THE SHIM FIRMLY INTO PLACE ON THE REVERSE OF THE PAD. The reverse of the pad is the side WITHOUT the brake in coating, in other words the painted steel plate side.

This is an example of a factory fitted shim kit, fitted UNDER the pad piston clip. This is how most VW and Audi fitment EBC pads will arrive and often only the piston side pads in this set will be shimmed.

There are two types of shims on the market, metallic ones and fibre glass types, EBC uses a mixture of both but both have the same good effect.

EBC also has two methods of delivering shims, some are fitted to the reverse of the pad and some are supplied as a loose shim kit in the box. Some also have to be cut to the pad shape with scissors and instructions for that simple task is included with those shims kits.

The purpose of the shim is to insulate the pad backing plate from the piston or pistons in the caliper. Some people also choose to go the extra mile and fit the shims on the NON piston side and this choice is personal but to allow all choices and to cover four piston or twin piston calipers EBC Brakes mostly supply or fit four shims.

In the odd cases such as on some VW,Audi vehicles where EBC only prefits TWO shims this is normal and no extra shims should be fitted to the non piston side to avoid an over-thick situation. The rule of thumb is "Use whats on the pad or in the pack"

If you receive brake pads that have NO SHIMS you should call EBC in your country and have some sent to you free of charge.

Anti Seize compounds and noise reduction pastes or silicones have been tried but EBC does not recommend these as a) it is possible to get such compounds on the pad surface which is HIGHLY DANGEROUS and also b) they only last a short while , sometimes not even the pad bed in period.

If you wish to buy shims for any brake pad email us here: Contact us

Brake-In coating

Is another product used by EBC Brakes to accelerate pad bed in or brake in as sometimes people call it. This is a thin layer of heat applied polymer that last 50-100 miles only and gently scrubs the brake disc or brake rotor and removes high spots and glaze and prevents the nasty rotor black spots or rotor glaze that sometimes appears as brakes come near to service points and wear thin. It is common to hear some brake noise during the early use of EBC pads caused by this coating. The great advantage of brake-in coating is that , being high in friction it improves to brake effect significantly during the early miles after fitment and at least gives you a decent brake for safety reasons as the pads bed in.