Disc brake pad orientation

[TMGT]

There is pad orientation on most vehicles and no they are pretty much never marked or have instructions with them for location.

Typically the wear indicator is located on the inner pad (there's always exceptions) and on a properly functioning disc brake system the inner pad typically wears quicker.

 

[Snobdds]

I know on my Ford F150 there is a left and right break pad in the caliper. The pads are the same, it is a tab on the backing plate that is different. So there is at least one vehicle out there that has different pads, left to right...so it's possible.

 

[shaeff]

There is pad orientation on most vehicles and no they are pretty much never marked or have instructions with them for location. Typically the wear indicator is located on the inner pad (there's always exceptions) and on a properly functioning disc brake system the inner pad typically wears quicker.

This is my experience as well. Inner pad is generally where the caliper's piston is located, which does a better job at forcing the brake pad to contact the rotor.

I put the wear clip on the inner pad. (Of course, I agree there are exceptions)

 

[LD1]

All 4 pads have squeakers.

And pad construction and backing plate is the same.

Two pads have squeakers on one side, two ate mirror images.

So I guess the only delima is squeaker on top or bottom.

Makes no difference to me, even if there is technically a correct way. It's a hard pill to swallow that the dealer was trying to charge my wife for "swapping" them around.

I doubt they even would have done it but would have just billed it and no one would be any the wiser.

 

[Clint S]

Yep, in my experience the inner pad wears quicker. It has all the pressure from the piston. Thats why the squealer goes on the inside. There are some pads that. I have seen identical pads that have a different backer for the inner pad too. There are some pad sets that actually make the inner pad out of a harder material. NAPA adaptive one pads are one of those, there are specific instructions with the pads though

 

[aczlan]

Looking at Nissan Sentra Front Brake Pads Replacement Guide - 2007 To 2012 Model Years - Picture Illustrated Automotive Maintenance DIY Instructions I don't really see any difference between the top and bottom of the pads other than preference. If the caliper is on the back of the disc it would seem that you would want the wear indicators on the top so that they couldn't get pulled into and possibly under the pad but other than that I don't see any real difference.

Aaron Z

 

[pmsmechanic]

Typically the wear indicator is located on the inner pad (there's always exceptions) and on a properly functioning disc brake system the inner pad typically wears quicker.

Your right!

 

[TMGT]

Talked to my buddy today, he said yes they can be put on wrong, if the retainer clip is on the wrong side it can cause problems, when forward braking the pad should be loaded against the pads backing plate not the retainer, I believe that puts the retainer in the upper side of the bracket.

He said it's a common problem that comes in and usually charges about a half hr labor to correct them.

If left the retainer can break and allow the pad to rattle and shift and can contact the wheel in some instances (said it will sound like a card in bicycle spokes).

 

[LD1]

Talked to my buddy today, he said yes they can be put on wrong, if the retainer clip is on the wrong side it can cause problems, when forward braking the pad should be loaded against the pads backing plate not the retainer, I believe that puts the retainer in the upper side of the bracket.

He said it's a common problem that comes in and usually charges about a half hr labor to correct them.

If left the retainer can break and allow the pad to rattle and shift and can contact the wheel in some instances (said it will sound like a card in bicycle spokes).

Maybe.

I dont buy their explination.

But the Pads are NOT on upside down.

The squeaker (possibly what you are calling the retainer), is at the top on all 4.

The way the squeaker is a little tab that loops around, part of the hardware for the caliper has a little anti-rattle tab that goes through that. Its on the top of the caliper. So all the squeakers are on the top. Caliper to the front of the rotor.

Photo shows 4 pads and 4 hardware kits.

The pad set I bought didnt have hardware. So its OEM. You can see the little tabs on the hardware kit to the left. Those are on the top.

 

[TMGT]

You don't have to "buy it", that's just the explanation via the oem, the "squeaker" is the retainer/wear indicator. I'm familiar with that style pad, and I have seen failures from them being installed wrong. Maybe ask the dealer for clarification on what they were refering too since they brought it up?

Also don't quote me on orientation, he told me where the retainer should be but I forgot.