Cooper s front brake pad rattle

[Russsellmk1]

Hi,
I have cooper s 7.5" discs but have bad brake pad rattle. Looking on mini spares doesn't show a spring steel clip thing to go between the split pins and stop this. Does anyone know where I can get some, or an alternative that can be modified to fit?
Many thanks
Tom

[swifty]

Hi tom , I have been doing this mod for a number of years now , so much so that every mini I have I now do as a matter of course . Works a treat . Is this what your looking for . ... I purchased the little springs from halfords but I would have thought you can get them at any decent car factor . It not only stops the rattling but also squeal as well ..... Ken

[Russsellmk1]

Superb idea, that's exactly what I want. I'll give it a try and report back.

Thanks very much Ken

[1963'S']

Went for a drive last Sunday and my brakes started to chatter, drove my wife mad!
I was wondering how to cure it, that is fantastic.
Off to get some springs ready for this Sundays trip to the MCR
Steve

[rolesyboy]

The mans a genius!!

[mk1]

I may be in a minority of one, but it's not something I'd do for a couple of reasons.

1) Pushing the pads back from the disk face (all be it, very slightly) must increase pedal travel.

2) If the car is used a lot & the pads will wear, at some point the springs will not compress enough & the effectiveness of the pads will be adversely effected.

Are anti squeal shims no longer available? If they aren't a detect a business opportunity.

[Ronnie]

I may be in a minority of one, but it's not something I'd do for a couple of reasons.

1) Pushing the pads back from the disk face (all be it, very slightly) must increase pedal travel.

2) If the car is used a lot & the pads will wear, at some point the springs will not compress enough & the effectiveness of the pads will be adversely effected.

Are anti squeal shims no longer available? If they aren't a detect a business opportunity.

I will second that

[swifty]

I may be in a minority of one, but it's not something I'd do for a couple of reasons.

1) Pushing the pads back from the disk face (all be it, very slightly) must increase pedal travel.

2) If the car is used a lot & the pads will wear, at some point the springs will not compress enough & the effectiveness of the pads will be adversely effected.

Are anti squeal shims no longer available? If they aren't a detect a business opportunity.

Photos can be deceptive . The springs are so very weak that there is no chance of them pushing back the brake caliper pistons . All they do is lightly hold back the pad to the piston , so they have no effect on brake pedal travel at all . (2) the springs I've used really are that weak that they will compress to no more than the thickness of the disc . As with every conversion common sense needs applying . I have been doing this for probably 30 years + and never had a problem . ... Baring in mind the importance and safety aspect of brakes I of course wouldn't want anyone to carry this out and use parts that would affect there cars ability to brake properly , so on reflection maybe I should have kept this to myself . ... Mark if you feel in any way that this is a dangerous thing to advise then please delete my input on the subject .... Ken

[Ronnie]

As a point of interest can you not get the anti squeal shims

[minimans]

Failing finding shims I would use the antisqueel paste. It will stick the pad to the piston and prevent the pads rattling. The spring idea is a good one Land Rover use the same thing, just make sure the spring is weak and small enough to comppress sufficiently. anybody that lets there pads get that low needs a swift kick in the nuts anyway!!

[ianh1968]

Mark if you feel in any way that this is a dangerous thing to advise then please delete my input on the subject .... Ken

From where I sit, no "advice" has been given: -
You simply state that this is a method that you use and have had good results with...

I'd agree that using springs of that type are unlikely to have any discernable effect
on the pistons.

Having had to "push the pistons back in" on numerous occasions, I am aware of the
amount of effort this takes - It's quite a bit - The spring out of a ball-point-pen would
have no hope of moving the pistons (I THINK...).

I really don't feel that a "Health and Safety" disclaimer is required here.

Ian

[mk1]

Swifty,

TBH, I had no doubt that your mod would have been carried out in a safe manner.

I just wanted to highlight that if it was carried out by someone with little or no idea it COULD cause problems.

I'm very happy for it to remain.

[Russsellmk1]

Tried it and it's worked perfectly.
I got some lighter looking springs from a halfords assortment box, which easily compress to much less than the disc thickness.
My disc sticks out more than my pads so to avoid it rubbing on the springs I unwound the last half turn or so on both ends so the spring pushes itself away as well as the pads apart.

Thanks again Ken, so pleased!

Tom

[swifty]

. I didn't have the added problem of the disc poking out more than the pads , but glad you sorted it . Ken