I am reminded, YET AGAIN, how simple things can become so complex once you actually do it.
Question 1: How much brake lubricant is acceptable on brake pads?
As it is right now, there a few spots with a thin film of brake lubricant, I wiped it off carefully so as to not introduce more brake lubricant on the pad. As it turns out inserting the brake pads is harder than I thought.
On one caliper, I was finally able to insert the pads after much difficulty and checking the play--there's no play, it's very firm and while I can push it back and forth (with my fingers) to simulate the action of the caliper pushing against it, it's very firm, perhaps tooooo firm!
On the other caliper, the pads would not fit (these are new Raybestos ELEMENT3 calipers.) They do fit with the anti-rattle clips removed (but then I found that they would indeed rattle as there's too much play) so I put back the clips. After some thought and Google research, I realize that I have to file down the brake pads to make them fit--this is rather common I learned.
2. Should I remove the pads again to file it down further to make them easier to slide back and forth? How easily should they slide back and forth?
Final question: HOW DO PROFESSIONAL MECHANICS AVOID GETTING LUBRICANT ON THE BRAKE PADS?? BECAUSE I COULD NOT. I had to use about 10 pairs of Nitrile gloves just to minimize lubricant transfer. I HAD TO STRATEGIZE IN COMPLEX WAYS JUST TO MINIMIZE THIS BUT STILL GOT SOME ON IT.
SHOULD I PULL THEM OUT AND DO A THOROUGH CLEANING WITH SOAP/DEGREASER/BRAKE CLEANER????????
THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN SO EASY!
Note to self: apply lubricant AFTER inserting the brake pads in the future.
Question 1: How much brake lubricant is acceptable on brake pads?
As it is right now, there a few spots with a thin film of brake lubricant, I wiped it off carefully so as to not introduce more brake lubricant on the pad. As it turns out inserting the brake pads is harder than I thought.
On one caliper, I was finally able to insert the pads after much difficulty and checking the play--there's no play, it's very firm and while I can push it back and forth (with my fingers) to simulate the action of the caliper pushing against it, it's very firm, perhaps tooooo firm!
On the other caliper, the pads would not fit (these are new Raybestos ELEMENT3 calipers.) They do fit with the anti-rattle clips removed (but then I found that they would indeed rattle as there's too much play) so I put back the clips. After some thought and Google research, I realize that I have to file down the brake pads to make them fit--this is rather common I learned.
2. Should I remove the pads again to file it down further to make them easier to slide back and forth? How easily should they slide back and forth?
Final question: HOW DO PROFESSIONAL MECHANICS AVOID GETTING LUBRICANT ON THE BRAKE PADS?? BECAUSE I COULD NOT. I had to use about 10 pairs of Nitrile gloves just to minimize lubricant transfer. I HAD TO STRATEGIZE IN COMPLEX WAYS JUST TO MINIMIZE THIS BUT STILL GOT SOME ON IT.
SHOULD I PULL THEM OUT AND DO A THOROUGH CLEANING WITH SOAP/DEGREASER/BRAKE CLEANER????????
THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN SO EASY!
Note to self: apply lubricant AFTER inserting the brake pads in the future.