Welp I had a revelation that this may have been my own doing. When i installed these pads, they felt uncomfortably tight in the bracket. So tight the return springs weren’t able to do their job. I identified the tight spot as the circled area and used pliers to bend it away from the pad to allow it to move a bit more freely. You can make out a slight crease from this.
I am now realizing that may have been intended to be an intentional tension area to push the pad tight in the downward direction. This is actually the force that would oppose pad movement when braking in reverse.
So now my question is how tight is too tight for a pad to sit? I realize there is a Goldilocks zone. I figure that if the return spring can’t do its job, it’s too tight. Should I not have to bend these hardware at all?
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I've been working on disk brakes for 55 years, yet I'm having a difficult time visualizing exactly what's in those pictures.
That said, something does not appear right. Aside from tensioning and securing the anti-rattle spring during assembly, I've never had to bend anything, big or small.
As far as pad fit goes - I use a small but stiff stainless steel brush to thoroughly clean the caliper surfaces where the pad ears sit. In every pad change I can remember, the pads had a "free but tight" precision fit. Even an excess blob of paint on the pad ear can cause the pad ears to stick. Always check/clean the ear on the pad.
When properly prepared the pads should slide freely in and out of the calipers, although the fit should be precision. Be sure to check for and eliminate any ridges that might prevent the pad from extending as it wears.
Lastly, I have NEVER used any type of grease or lubricant on the pad/caliper interface. IMO, having a clean and free floating pad/caliper interface and a clean backing plate/caliper piston interface is the most important thing. Grease rules may differ for those who live where there's salt and snow.
IMO, your click is caused by something related to the anti-rattle spring or whatever that shim is in your pictures.
Not throwing stones, just trying to help.
Scott
Edit: Just noticed your pads mount on those stainless steel inserts that seat on the caliper. Even though the caliper is not the sliding surface, that part of the caliper must be clean. Otherwise, the stainless steel insert openings for the pad ears get ever so slightly crimped. - which could cause the pads to bind.
