Discussion:
Brake caliper/pad "retaining" clips
(too old to reply)
Roger Mills
2020-01-25 20:23:58 UTC
Permalink
I've just replaced the front discs and pads on my wife's 20-year-old
Ford Puma, and I have a query about the so called retaining clips. They
are made of highly tempered steel wire and the free ends plug into holes
in the caliper. They have loops which hook behind lugs on the caliper
carrier. They look like this:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/292224457537?ul_noapp=true

According to my Haynes Fiesta manual (Haynes don't do a Puma manual, but
the running gear is the same as a 1995-onwards Fiesta) they look like
this when fitted:

https://app.box.com/s/jelr78aedt1uandeka74e05dnqjc8bq8

Anyone know what their function is? Is the middle bit supposed to
contact the back of the pad? Mine don't - by 2 or 3 mm - see:

https://app.box.com/s/b8vaov18obat0kvldauu8bzt5r16vjrx

Sadly, I didn't make a careful enough note of what they originally
looked like before I removed them. I wonder whether I have put them back
correctly - but I can't see any other way they could go. The loops look
as if they should go further onto the lugs - but if I tap the free ends
further into the holes, they pivot on the caliper body and the loops
move *outwards* rather than inwards.

Any informed comment will be greatly appreciated.
--
Cheers,
Roger
Jethro_uk
2020-01-26 10:58:59 UTC
Permalink
Post by Roger Mills
I've just replaced the front discs and pads on my wife's 20-year-old
Ford Puma, and I have a query about the so called retaining clips. They
are made of highly tempered steel wire and the free ends plug into holes
in the caliper. They have loops which hook behind lugs on the caliper
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/292224457537?ul_noapp=true
According to my Haynes Fiesta manual (Haynes don't do a Puma manual, but
the running gear is the same as a 1995-onwards Fiesta) they look like
https://app.box.com/s/jelr78aedt1uandeka74e05dnqjc8bq8
Anyone know what their function is? Is the middle bit supposed to
https://app.box.com/s/b8vaov18obat0kvldauu8bzt5r16vjrx
Sadly, I didn't make a careful enough note of what they originally
looked like before I removed them. I wonder whether I have put them back
correctly - but I can't see any other way they could go. The loops look
as if they should go further onto the lugs - but if I tap the free ends
further into the holes, they pivot on the caliper body and the loops
move *outwards* rather than inwards.
Any informed comment will be greatly appreciated.
Aren't they meant to stop the shim that the caliper "floats" on from
floating away ?

Other designs I've seen are simple bent wire pins that go into holes on
the shims.

I think they're recommended to be replaced every time they are removed,
but generally that's overkill.
Roger Mills
2020-01-26 12:32:11 UTC
Permalink
Post by Jethro_uk
Post by Roger Mills
I've just replaced the front discs and pads on my wife's 20-year-old
Ford Puma, and I have a query about the so called retaining clips. They
are made of highly tempered steel wire and the free ends plug into holes
in the caliper. They have loops which hook behind lugs on the caliper
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/292224457537?ul_noapp=true
According to my Haynes Fiesta manual (Haynes don't do a Puma manual, but
the running gear is the same as a 1995-onwards Fiesta) they look like
https://app.box.com/s/jelr78aedt1uandeka74e05dnqjc8bq8
Anyone know what their function is? Is the middle bit supposed to
https://app.box.com/s/b8vaov18obat0kvldauu8bzt5r16vjrx
Sadly, I didn't make a careful enough note of what they originally
looked like before I removed them. I wonder whether I have put them back
correctly - but I can't see any other way they could go. The loops look
as if they should go further onto the lugs - but if I tap the free ends
further into the holes, they pivot on the caliper body and the loops
move *outwards* rather than inwards.
Any informed comment will be greatly appreciated.
Aren't they meant to stop the shim that the caliper "floats" on from
floating away ?
Don't think so. There are no shims on my setup. The single piston
caliper can move sideways on its guide pins in order to centre the pads
on the disc. But no shims to "float away".
--
Cheers,
Roger
Dave Plowman (News)
2020-01-26 11:14:03 UTC
Permalink
Post by Roger Mills
I've just replaced the front discs and pads on my wife's 20-year-old
Ford Puma, and I have a query about the so called retaining clips. They
are made of highly tempered steel wire and the free ends plug into holes
in the caliper. They have loops which hook behind lugs on the caliper
They're not retaining clips. They are correctly anti-rattle springs. Which
may also reduce the chances of brake squeal.
--
*No I haven't stolen it , I'm just a shit driver*

Dave Plowman ***@davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.
Roger Mills
2020-01-26 12:28:55 UTC
Permalink
Post by Dave Plowman (News)
Post by Roger Mills
I've just replaced the front discs and pads on my wife's 20-year-old
Ford Puma, and I have a query about the so called retaining clips. They
are made of highly tempered steel wire and the free ends plug into holes
in the caliper. They have loops which hook behind lugs on the caliper
They're not retaining clips. They are correctly anti-rattle springs. Which
may also reduce the chances of brake squeal.
You mean that they stop the caliper from rattling on its carrier? In
that case, mine are probably fitted correctly. Do they look ok to you?
[Link to photo in my original post]
--
Cheers,
Roger
Dave Plowman (News)
2020-01-26 13:01:20 UTC
Permalink
Post by Roger Mills
Post by Dave Plowman (News)
Post by Roger Mills
I've just replaced the front discs and pads on my wife's 20-year-old
Ford Puma, and I have a query about the so called retaining clips.
They are made of highly tempered steel wire and the free ends plug
into holes in the caliper. They have loops which hook behind lugs on
They're not retaining clips. They are correctly anti-rattle springs.
Which may also reduce the chances of brake squeal.
You mean that they stop the caliper from rattling on its carrier? In
that case, mine are probably fitted correctly. Do they look ok to you?
[Link to photo in my original post]
Just had a look - sorry, not familiar with that type of caliper.
--
*What happens when none of your bees wax? *

Dave Plowman ***@davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.
Peter Hill
2020-01-27 07:52:59 UTC
Permalink
Post by Roger Mills
Post by Dave Plowman (News)
Post by Roger Mills
I've just replaced the front discs and pads on my wife's 20-year-old
Ford Puma, and I have a query about the so called retaining clips. They
are made of highly tempered steel wire and the free ends plug into holes
in the caliper. They have loops which hook behind lugs on the caliper
They're not retaining clips. They are correctly anti-rattle springs. Which
may also reduce the chances of brake squeal.
You mean that they stop the caliper from rattling on its carrier? In
that case, mine are probably fitted correctly. Do they look ok to you?
[Link to photo in my original post]
I think the wire loop at the upper end could do with being pushed a bit
further in.
Roger Mills
2020-01-27 13:42:36 UTC
Permalink
Post by Peter Hill
Post by Roger Mills
Post by Dave Plowman (News)
Post by Roger Mills
I've just replaced the front discs and pads on my wife's 20-year-old
Ford Puma, and I have a query about the so called retaining clips. They
are made of highly tempered steel wire and the free ends plug into holes
in the caliper. They have loops which hook behind lugs on the caliper
They're not retaining clips. They are correctly anti-rattle springs. Which
may also reduce the chances of brake squeal.
You mean that they stop the caliper from rattling on its carrier? In
that case, mine are probably fitted correctly. Do they look ok to you?
[Link to photo in my original post]
I think the wire loop at the upper end could do with being pushed a bit
further in.
I agree that it looks that way - but if I try, it pivots on the caliper
and starts to push the raw end out of its hole. It should move further
in as the pads wear - but may take a while. the previous ones lasted 20
years!
--
Cheers,
Roger
Fredxx
2020-01-26 15:32:55 UTC
Permalink
Post by Roger Mills
I've just replaced the front discs and pads on my wife's 20-year-old
Ford Puma, and I have a query about the so called retaining clips. They
are made of highly tempered steel wire and the free ends plug into holes
in the caliper. They have loops which hook behind lugs on the caliper
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/292224457537?ul_noapp=true
According to my Haynes Fiesta manual (Haynes don't do a Puma manual, but
the running gear is the same as a 1995-onwards Fiesta) they look like
https://app.box.com/s/jelr78aedt1uandeka74e05dnqjc8bq8
Anyone know what their function is? Is the middle bit supposed to
https://app.box.com/s/b8vaov18obat0kvldauu8bzt5r16vjrx
Sadly, I didn't make a careful enough note of what they originally
looked like before I removed them. I wonder whether I have put them back
correctly - but I can't see any other way they could go. The loops look
as if they should go further onto the lugs - but if I tap the free ends
further into the holes, they pivot on the caliper body and the loops
move *outwards* rather than inwards.
Any informed comment will be greatly appreciated.
Youtube is a good resource for reference.

Look at 50s into this, it's for a Ford Focus but looks the same as yours:

RJH
2020-01-27 17:14:25 UTC
Permalink
Post by Fredxx
Post by Roger Mills
I've just replaced the front discs and pads on my wife's 20-year-old
Ford Puma, and I have a query about the so called retaining clips. They
are made of highly tempered steel wire and the free ends plug into holes
in the caliper. They have loops which hook behind lugs on the caliper
<https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/292224457537?ul_noapp=true>
According to my Haynes Fiesta manual (Haynes don't do a Puma manual, but
the running gear is the same as a 1995-onwards Fiesta) they look like
<https://app.box.com/s/jelr78aedt1uandeka74e05dnqjc8bq8>
Anyone know what their function is? Is the middle bit supposed to
<https://app.box.com/s/b8vaov18obat0kvldauu8bzt5r16vjrx>
Sadly, I didn't make a careful enough note of what they originally
looked like before I removed them. I wonder whether I have put them back
correctly - but I can't see any other way they could go. The loops look
as if they should go further onto the lugs - but if I tap the free ends
further into the holes, they pivot on the caliper body and the loops
move *outwards* rather than inwards.
Any informed comment will be greatly appreciated.
Youtube is a good resource for reference.
http://youtu.be/YWNT3Sa0pFM
Good guide - and the end of the video shows the clip is not in contact with
the pad. Very odd section on bleeding the brakes . . .
Fredxx
2020-01-27 19:16:14 UTC
Permalink
Post by RJH
Post by Fredxx
Post by Roger Mills
I've just replaced the front discs and pads on my wife's 20-year-old
Ford Puma, and I have a query about the so called retaining clips. They
are made of highly tempered steel wire and the free ends plug into holes
in the caliper. They have loops which hook behind lugs on the caliper
<https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/292224457537?ul_noapp=true>
According to my Haynes Fiesta manual (Haynes don't do a Puma manual, but
the running gear is the same as a 1995-onwards Fiesta) they look like
<https://app.box.com/s/jelr78aedt1uandeka74e05dnqjc8bq8>
Anyone know what their function is? Is the middle bit supposed to
<https://app.box.com/s/b8vaov18obat0kvldauu8bzt5r16vjrx>
Sadly, I didn't make a careful enough note of what they originally
looked like before I removed them. I wonder whether I have put them back
correctly - but I can't see any other way they could go. The loops look
as if they should go further onto the lugs - but if I tap the free ends
further into the holes, they pivot on the caliper body and the loops
move *outwards* rather than inwards.
Any informed comment will be greatly appreciated.
Youtube is a good resource for reference.
http://youtu.be/YWNT3Sa0pFM
Good guide - and the end of the video shows the clip is not in contact with
the pad. Very odd section on bleeding the brakes . . .
I did think the bleeding of brakes was a little short of the mark. Also
very little fluid came out after unscrewing the caliper implying the
pipe was clamped somewhere.

I have used gravity to bleed brakes with a lot of success. It very much
depends on the vehicle.

Also no torquing done on those sliding bolts.
Roger Mills
2020-01-28 10:55:33 UTC
Permalink
Post by RJH
Post by Fredxx
Post by Roger Mills
I've just replaced the front discs and pads on my wife's 20-year-old
Ford Puma, and I have a query about the so called retaining clips. They
are made of highly tempered steel wire and the free ends plug into holes
in the caliper. They have loops which hook behind lugs on the caliper
<https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/292224457537?ul_noapp=true>
According to my Haynes Fiesta manual (Haynes don't do a Puma manual, but
the running gear is the same as a 1995-onwards Fiesta) they look like
<https://app.box.com/s/jelr78aedt1uandeka74e05dnqjc8bq8>
Anyone know what their function is? Is the middle bit supposed to
<https://app.box.com/s/b8vaov18obat0kvldauu8bzt5r16vjrx>
Sadly, I didn't make a careful enough note of what they originally
looked like before I removed them. I wonder whether I have put them back
correctly - but I can't see any other way they could go. The loops look
as if they should go further onto the lugs - but if I tap the free ends
further into the holes, they pivot on the caliper body and the loops
move *outwards* rather than inwards.
Any informed comment will be greatly appreciated.
Youtube is a good resource for reference.
http://youtu.be/YWNT3Sa0pFM
Good guide - and the end of the video shows the clip is not in contact with
the pad. Very odd section on bleeding the brakes . . .
Bleeding?! I wouldn't drive that car after what he did - would you?

I'm not sure how usual it is to replace just the caliper, retaining the
old disc and pads.

But as far as removing and re-fitting the spring goes, it was good!
--
Cheers,
Roger
The Natural Philosopher
2020-01-28 11:21:03 UTC
Permalink
Post by Roger Mills
I'm not sure how usual it is to replace just the caliper, retaining the
old disc and pads.
If they are in good nick why not?
--
The theory of Communism may be summed up in one sentence: Abolish all
private property.

Karl Marx
Roger Mills
2020-01-28 12:02:53 UTC
Permalink
Post by The Natural Philosopher
Post by Roger Mills
I'm not sure how usual it is to replace just the caliper, retaining
the old disc and pads.
If they are in good nick why not?
Under what circumstances would you replace the caliper? Surely, unless
it was physically broken - which that one didn't appear to be - it would
be cheaper to refurbish it with new seals, etc.
--
Cheers,
Roger
MrCheerful
2020-01-28 12:45:19 UTC
Permalink
Post by Roger Mills
Post by The Natural Philosopher
Post by Roger Mills
I'm not sure how usual it is to replace just the caliper, retaining
the old disc and pads.
If they are in good nick why not?
Under what circumstances would you replace the caliper? Surely, unless
it was physically broken - which that one didn't appear to be - it would
be cheaper to refurbish it with new seals, etc.
Not nowadays, most calipers are quite cheap, and the skills needed to
rebuild one properly are sadly lacking. The last ones I remember doing
needed 8 pistons plus seals, over two hundred quids worth 20 years ago.

Same with most parts now, cheaper to buy a unit than fix the old.
Steve Walker
2020-01-28 17:39:22 UTC
Permalink
Post by Roger Mills
Post by The Natural Philosopher
Post by Roger Mills
I'm not sure how usual it is to replace just the caliper, retaining
the old disc and pads.
If they are in good nick why not?
Under what circumstances would you replace the caliper? Surely, unless
it was physically broken - which that one didn't appear to be - it would
be cheaper to refurbish it with new seals, etc.
It can be as cheap to replace sometimes. I bought a pair for my kitcar
and as a company was selling off old stock, it cost me less than £25 for
two brand new calipers!

When one of the calipers on my wife's car seized, it was time that was
the decider. A refurb kit would have taken two or three days to arrive,
but I could pick up another caliper in an hour.

SteveW

MrCheerful
2020-01-27 08:27:19 UTC
Permalink
Post by Roger Mills
I've just replaced the front discs and pads on my wife's 20-year-old
Ford Puma, and I have a query about the so called retaining clips. They
are made of highly tempered steel wire and the free ends plug into holes
in the caliper. They have loops which hook behind lugs on the caliper
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/292224457537?ul_noapp=true
According to my Haynes Fiesta manual (Haynes don't do a Puma manual, but
the running gear is the same as a 1995-onwards Fiesta) they look like
https://app.box.com/s/jelr78aedt1uandeka74e05dnqjc8bq8
Anyone know what their function is? Is the middle bit supposed to
https://app.box.com/s/b8vaov18obat0kvldauu8bzt5r16vjrx
Sadly, I didn't make a careful enough note of what they originally
looked like before I removed them. I wonder whether I have put them back
correctly - but I can't see any other way they could go. The loops look
as if they should go further onto the lugs - but if I tap the free ends
further into the holes, they pivot on the caliper body and the loops
move *outwards* rather than inwards.
Any informed comment will be greatly appreciated.
That spring wire pulls the caliper toward its bracket, taking up any
play on the sliding pins, and stops the caliper shaking about. It does
not touch the pad. New ones are easily obtained, running without them
will not stop the brakes working, but you might get sqeal or shudder.
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