Do you know that ensuring the safety of your vehicle’s braking system involves more than just installing quality brake pads. Brake shims are important because they play a big role in optimizing braking efficiency.
This happens while minimizing noise, vibrations and also heat. In this detailed guide, we’ll cover the importance of brake shims and their influence on your vehicle’s performance.
We’ll also discuss indicators of problems, the mechanics behind the shims, best practices for their application and the advantages they have.
What are brake shims?
First of all it’s important to understand what brake shims are. Brake shims are an important component in the braking system that help absorb vibration and reduce noise.
This leads to a quieter and more enjoyable driving experience. Attached to the friction pad backing, brake shims provide a barrier between the brake pad and caliper. Now, this helps prevent small vibrations.
Also, even after this it is important to recognize that some level of noise is bound to happen no matter what.
This is because of the friction that’s occurring between the disc rotors and the pads. When the brake pad meets the rotor, coupling occurs and vibrations follow.
What do shims do on brake pads?
A good braking system paired with high quality shims can reduce vehicle noise.
Geobrakes’ brake pad shims are made of rubber and infused with fiber. They are made with careful precision to meet the highest industry standards.
Made with great care, these shims have been specially designed to fit the original engineering specification of a car manufacturer.
Their fiber embedding plus rubber formulation ensure that they last long as well as provide reliability; especially in cushioning against vibrations – from hard stops like those made during brake application.
Pads placed between calipers and rotors are very important because they prevent bad brakes from making irritating noise which is often referred to as “NVH” (noise vibration harshness).
Installing brake pads without shims
When brake pads are installed without shims, various issues can arise, affecting both performance and safety.
Without shims, the metal-to-metal contact between the brake pad and caliper can result in increased noise levels, vibrations, and premature wear of the brake pads.
This can lead to inconsistent braking performance and compromised safety on the road.
Do brake shims help correct brake pad alignment?
Shims help in brake pad alignment and pad wear indicator makes a high frequency noise to signal the end of brake pad’s life.
Brake pad alignment is addressed during the installation process.
This ensures the pads are seated within the caliper bracket.
If there are alignment problems causing uneven wear or poor braking performance, they are corrected by adjusting or replacing braking hardware.
You need to note one thing. While brake shims contribute to overall brake system and may assist with pad alignment, their function is to reduce NVH.
Bad brake shim symptoms
One important thing is that you always need to look for signs of potential issues with brake shims.
Here are some common symptoms:
Common symptoms include:
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Loud squealing or grinding noises when braking
Squealing noises typically indicate brake pads are worn down to the point where the wear indicator is contacting the rotors. This sound is produced by the metal on metal contact between indicator and rotor surface during braking.
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Vibrations or rattling coming from the braking system
Vibrations or rattling noises during braking can result from many issues. This can include loose brake components, worn brake pads or even damaged rotors.
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Uneven wear patterns on the brake pads
Uneven wear patterns on the brake pads can indicate issues with the braking system’s components or operations.Now, for example if one brake caliper is sticking or not applying enough pressure, it can cause uneven wear on the corresponding brake pad.
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Decreased braking efficiency and longer stopping distances
Decreasing braking efficiency and longer stopping distances are important safety concerns. They can result from various issues within the braking system. This includes worn brake pads, damaged brake rotors or insufficient brake fluid.
How do brake shims work?
Brake shims act as a cushion between the brake pad and the caliper, absorbing vibrations and noise generated during braking.
By preventing metal-to-metal contact, shims reduce friction, heat, and wear on the braking components.
This not only enhances the overall comfort of your driving experience but also prolongs the life of your brake pads and calipers.
How to use brake pad shims?
To maximize the benefits of brake shims, follow these steps for proper installation:
If you want to make the most out of the brake shims, follow these steps:
- Firstly, make sure the shims are compatible with your vehicle’s model and make.
- You need to then thoroughly clean the brake pad and mounting system.
- Next, apply a thin layer of anti-seize lubricant to the back of the brake pad.
- Position the shims securely between the brake pad and the caliper.
- Then you need to position the shims securely between the brake pad and caliper.
- Double-check the alignment of the shims before completing the reassembly of the braking system.
- Lastly, don’t forget to double check the alignment of the shims before completing the reassembly of the braking system.
Now the big question is – is it okay to run brake pads without shims?
Well, technically it’s okay to run brake pads without shims because they just reduce noise and performance.
Overall, they don’t have a huge impact on performance. However, in our expert opinion it is preferable to have shims installed.
And, you already know where to look for the best brake shims – Geobrakes is the answer.
Conclusion:
Brake shims have a very important role in enhancing the performance of your vehicle’s braking system. It is important to understand the functions of brake shims.
Proper installation techniques can significantly improve driving experience. If you incorporate high-quality brake shims you’ll enjoy smoother braking, reduced noise levels and more safety.
All in all, a well-maintained braking system is important for your overall driving comfort and security.
