So I buy the Haynes manual (61015) covering my 2000 Protege LX (no ABS).

But my front brakes weren't anything like the Haynes described.

Haynes p. 9.4: remove the W and M shaped retainer clips, lift out the pad, anti-squeak shim, outer shim and inner shim.

Reality: there is no W or M shaped clip. There is one pad and one shim.

I replaced the pads and the single shim (parts from NAPA) for both front wheels, and seems to work fine.

Were front brake installations changed at some time? Wonder why my front brakes were so different from the Haynes instructions. Is there a *reliable* 2000 Protege repair manual out there somewhere?

Thanks.
Tom
110K miles and counting

 

um...there should be 2 pads per caliper on the front..........

 

ooops - sorry 'bout that. Yes, there were two pads per caliper. Each pad had a single shim.

Tom

 

ok, here's where everything SHOULD be on each caliper:

2 pads, the 1 with the metal wear indicator / squealer on the inside.
2 shims, one on the outside of each pad.
4 rattle clips. They're contoured to the shape of the end of the pads and keep them from jiggling around.
2 spring clips that go over the top of the pads and connect both inside / outside pads and push out. 1 for the front of the pads, 1 for the rear.

IF you're missing the rattle clips or the spring clips, it's not really a huge deal. They may make a little more noise, but they're not going to fall off or anything. It just means someone incompetent put them together last time...

 

Thanks! The rattle clips weren't there - glad they're "optional". And only one shim per pad. There's still a small amount of front wheel squeal when making a sharp turn and applying brakes.

Tom

 

once the pads are broken in the squeal should go away...I had squeal on my mustang for about 200 miles when I put on ceramic pads

 

did you bed the new pads in properly?

 

bedding in - no, didn't do that. I will today. Didn't think of that 'til you mentioned it.

Any comments on a reliable maintenance manual?

Thanks.
Tom