Brake Pad Shims

[Solorange]

Im in the process of replacing my brake pads and rotors on my car. I noticed that my front pads do not have the outer and inner shims. There was only one shim on the pad. It makes me believe the pads were replaced with another brand pad before I got the car. I bought some OEM brake pads and Im wondering if it would be ok to reuse the same shim that was on the car? Im pretty sure Toyota originally provides two shims because Ive done the rear pads before and they had two shims. Plus the Chiltons manual shows two shims. What do you guys think? Hopefully Toyota carries the shims in stock because my car is in pieces right now.

Also I can't get the rotor off because there is too much rust holding it on. I tried knocking it off with a hammer but its on there pretty good. Do you guys know what size screws I would need to get so I screw it in those two holes so it pushes the rotor off the bearing hub?

Thanks in advance

[Akfahad]

i think you'll be alright re-using the shims, as long as there isn't much freeplay with the pads on. if there is, u might want to get some new one's.

as for the rotor, you talking about the front or rear? if it's the front, if you can get your hands on a plastic hammer and keep hitting it, that way you won't have to worry about possibly cracking or damaging the rotor. Mine were rusted too, took a little bit, but it'll come off. If it's the rear, it's been a while, but I think there's a lock and key or something like that to get the rotor off from the e-brake.

[anwagbo3000]

yea, i had the same problem with my old rotors, had to use a hammer to get that sucka off, i wish i did not so i could have a spare set of rotors, but yeah, you gonna have to do a lot of hitting, try rotating it the rotor as you hit with the rubber hammer, that way you can free up rust as you loosen the rotor

[Solorange]

Thanks for the answers guys but you weren't quick enough lol. I got the job done! I found out what size screw I need its a M8 1.25 pitch incase someone needs to know. It came off like slicing a knife through butter then. I when with my gut feeling and bought the OEM shims because they wouldnt have worked very good with the toyota pads.

This job as easy as it was a huge pain though. Go figure Im working on the last wheel and I sheared the caliper bolt on the driver side rear. I actually broke it loose and then it gulled up and I snapped it. At first I was like no biggie I can just slide the caliper off the support which should expose more of the bolt. Then I put a pipe wrench on it to get it the rest of the way out and of course it snapped. I was going to try to drill it out then but my hand drill was walking on me and I dont have a drill press so I took it over to Toyota to see if they could drill and retap it for me. They did it for me, but the bolt wiggles too much in the support and they don't keep the part in stock. It wouldn't be until tuesday until they could get a new part and I couldn't wait that long because Im at my parents place which is two hours from where I live. They said it would work as a temporary fix but they recommended replacing it asap. I installed it and the caliper is holding fine so it should be ok for a few days. Im going to see if I can get the part online somewhere. Working on cars is a bitch sometimes Im so glad I didn't descide to be a mechanic when I got out of high school. The thing that pisses me off about all of it was that Toyota used a brass bolt... WTF I thought they like to be know for making things with good quality.

[SleeperSolara]

Yeah you can reuse the metal brake shims everytime.
Sometimes you really don't need to use the metal shims, if the pads come wit them use those, if they don't come wit them then you don't have to use them.

[Solorange]

Don't they squeal when you don't use them? I thought that is the purpose of them.

[Chinky420]

that's supposed to be the purpose of them, but i didn't reinstall the shims on mine when i replaced my rotors/pads (sp performance rotors w/ axxis organic pads), and the pads work fine, no squeals/squeeks, and the combo feels great

now i need to upgrade to steel braided brake lines, and probably re-paint my calipers