Just as the brake system is an important part of a car, anti-rattle clips are important on brake pads. In newer cars, anti-rattle clips are part of the car package from the manufacturer while aftermarket clips may be needed for older cars.
If you are getting aftermarket anti-rattle clips either because the car didn’t come with it or the one there is old, there will be a need to install or re-install as the case may be. So, how do you install anti-rattle clips on brake pads?
Materials Needed To Install Anti-Rattle Clips on Brake Pads
Below are the materials/tools needed to successfully install anti-rattle clips on brake pads:
- New brake pads with attached clips (or separate anti-rattle clips)
- Caliper grease or high-temperature brake lubricant
- Brake cleaner
- Wire brush or abrasive pad
- C-clamp or brake caliper tool
- Jack and Jack stand (if necessary)
- Lug wrench
- Screwdriver or wrench (if required for your specific vehicle)
How to Install Anti Rattle Clips on Brake Pads
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to install anti-rattle clips on brake pads:
- Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace: Park the car on a level surface and engage the parking brake. You can go ahead and lift the vehicle using a jack and secure it with jack stands if necessary.
- Step 2: Remove the Wheel: Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel with a lug wrench. Lift the vehicle using a jack to remove the lug nuts to take off the wheel.
- Step 3: Access the Brakes: Locate the brake caliper and brake pads. The caliper is usually held in place by bolts.
- Step 4: Remove the Caliper: Use a wrench or screwdriver to remove the caliper bolts. Once the caliper is loose, carefully slide it off the rotor and rest it on a secure surface. Do not let it hang by the brake line.
- Step 5: Inspect and Clean: Inspect the brake components for wear and damage. Use a wire brush or abrasive pad to clean the caliper bracket and contact points where the anti-rattle clips will be installed. Clean the caliper pins if they are accessible.
- Step 6: Install the Anti-Rattle Clips: If your new brake pads come with pre-attached clips, simply slide them into the caliper bracket until they click into place. If you are using separate anti-rattle clips, insert them into the caliper bracket. They usually snap or slide into place. Ensure to align the holes on the metal backing plates of the brake pads with the anti-rattle clip loops.
- Step 7: Apply Lubricant: Apply a thin layer of caliper grease or high-temperature brake lubricant to the areas where the brake pads make contact with the caliper bracket.
- Step 8: Reinstall Brake Caliper: Slide the brake caliper back over the brake pads and onto the caliper bracket and tighten the caliper bolts securely.
- Step 9: Reinstall the Wheel: Place the wheel back onto the wheel hub and hand-tighten the lug nuts. Now, lower the vehicle, and once the wheel makes contact with the ground, tighten the lug nuts in a crisscross pattern.
- Step 10: Test the Brakes: Before driving, pump the brake pedal a few times to ensure proper brake pad seating and take the vehicle for a test drive. While testing driving the car, endeavor to listen for any unusual noises.
Are Brake Pads Anti Rattle Clips Necessary?
Brake pad anti-rattle clips are necessary for the brake caliper bracket. If it wasn’t, manufacturers wouldn’t include it as part of the brake system.
Anti-rattle clips do several things to the brake caliper such as; preventing the brake pads from excessive movement when the car moves, reducing noise, and moving the brake pad away from the rotor while also extending the life of the brake pad.
The importance of anti-rattle clips cannot be overemphasized. If over time the clips become loose or worn out, they should be reinstalled.
Who Do I Call to Install Anti-rattle Clips on my Brake Pads?
Installing anti-rattle clips on a brake pad is quite easy if you have the required materials and the knowledge to do so.
In a few minutes, new anti-rattle clips can be installed on the brake pads but if you do not know how to do it who do you call?
To install anti-rattle clips on the brake pads you should take the car to an auto shop.
Auto shops are equipped with the knowledge and needed materials for the successful installation of anti-rattle clips.
Pros of Installing Anti-Rattle Clips on Brake Pads
Let’s take a look at some advantages of installing anti-rattle clips on brake pads;
Reduction in Brake Noise and Vibration
This is an obvious advantage of installing anti-rattle clips on brake pads. Without the clips to hold the pads in place in the caliper, there will be so much moving around which results in vibration and noise.
When a car is being driven especially at a high speed there is a high tendency that the brake pads will vibrate and make so much noise without the anti-rattle clips to hold them in place.
Increased Fuel Economy
Another advantage of installing anti-rattle clips is that it increases a car’s fuel economy. Excessive movement of the brake pads in the caliper will most likely affect other parts of the brake system thereby causing them to exert force in carrying out their functions.
When any part of the engine is working extra hard than it usually does, more fuel will be consumed. Installing anti-rattle clips on brake pads will increase fuel economy as less fuel will be consumed.
Enjoyable Driving
Installing anti-rattle clips on brake pads makes driving your car more enjoyable. When the brake pad vibrates and makes so much noise you won’t enjoy your ride that’s a fact. If the noise is now so loud that others can hear it, you can get frustrated.
The good thing is you can get rid of the noise and also enjoy your ride by simply installing the anti-rattle clips, this is however provided there are no problems in the engine that can cause vibration.
Improved Brake Performance
Installing anti-rattle clips helps to keep your brakes in good condition and improve their performance. When brake pads are moving around in the caliper it will affect other parts of the system and may cause it to underperform, it may even damage some of these parts.
Conclusion
If you are trying to troubleshoot the cause of the noise coming from the car, you may want to take a look at the brake system as the noise could be because the clips are worn out or loose.