Question for Cadillac Rear Brake Gurus

[ksagis]

Been messing with my overall brake system to get things tuned up and was digging into the rear brakes that PO had installed (BC Broncos Cadillac rear brake kit).

I noticed when I took off the caliper that the clip as shown in caliper pic below wasn't seated in the "groove" on the piston and instead was only hooked on the pad and the clocking nub on the back of the pad (the clocking nub I'm referring is shown in last pic circled in red). Installed like this, I can't really tell if the clip is getting between the piston surface and pad backing plate, but the rear brakes haven't worked like I want, so working to eliminate all possibilities, even if not likely to be causing an issue.

Question 1: Do I have that correct that the clip goes around the groove in the piston and also hooks over the edge of the pad? (pic below from Caddy manual seems to show that and installed that way would preclude the clip from getting between the piston and pad backing plate)

Question 2: I think the only regret of not installing the clip is the pads might rattle. Opinions?

Not looking for responses of "why not install the clip"! I might very well do that, mainly trying to understand how the OEM designed the system, and maybe help the next Bronco owner behind me.

 

[ksagis]

Took brakes off again to inspect and posting in case useful to others.

Q1: Yes, the clip goes on as I indicated above.

Q2: yes, it is for rattle abatement

The clip was indeed between the piston and pad backing plate and was likely introducing compliance in my rear brakes. Need to put it all back together and finish rest of systems before I know much this was degrading the overall system.

First pic shows how I found the clip installed and is incorrect. Second pic showing wear pattern on pad backing plate showing that it was in load path.

 

[stupidboy]

There is a special way of adjusting those brakes, do you know it?

 

[Apogee]

You are correct with respect to your original post showing the proper installation, and while I don't know what that change is going to do for the overall compliance, it can only help IMO.

 

[ksagis]

There is a special way of adjusting those brakes, do you know it?

Yup, sure do, appreciate you double checking. Most people seem to hate the parking brake adjustment, seemed pretty straight forward to me, just takes a few iterations.

You are correct with respect to your original post showing the proper installation, and while I don't know what that change is going to do for the overall compliance, it can only help IMO.

Thanks for confirming. Yeah, not sure about compliance, like you said, it can only help. From my visual of the improper install and also looking at the wear pattern, it doesn’t look like it was pushing square (around the full diameter of the clip). That wouldn’t be great either.

 

[ksagis]

One more fun fact from reviewing the Cadillac Service Manual, the inboard rear pads are different and there is a left/right side for the wear indicator. Honestly don't think it can matter that much but thought it was interesting they specified this.

@Apogee (think @toddz69 called you the forum brake expert!), do you know if this concept carries over into other OEMs and models?