Rattly front brake pads

[Watcombe]

Hello,
Really enjoying my '69 Elan S4 bought a few weeks ago. Anyone please...the front brake pads rattle in the calipers, until of course you touch the pedal. There are no springs to keep them back off the discs: should there be? If so where can I get some?
Thanks, Robin.

[billwill]

Hello,
Really enjoying my '69 Elan S4 bought a few weeks ago. Anyone please...the front brake pads rattle in the calipers, until of course you touch the pedal. There are no springs to keep them back off the discs: should there be? If so where can I get some?
Thanks, Robin.

No they don't have springs for that. It's not normally a problem.

You do have the guide/holding rods in there with the tiny R-pins, I hope.

Are the pads fairly worn in need of replacement? If the pad thickness is less than about a quarter inch (6mm) it's time to get some new ones (I think) New ones are about 12 to 15 mm thick.

[billwill]

PS: Welcome to the forum.

[oldelanman]

The anti-squeal shims have spring "fingers" which locate on the edge of the pad and should stop them rattling.....perhaps your shims are missing or damaged?

[Watcombe]

Thank you kindly both replies. Yes I do have the pins and R clips! But no I don't appear to have shims, and I'll check the thickness of the pads for wear.

Robin.

[oldelanman]

SJ sportscars do a shim and pin kit......http://www.sjsportscars.co.uk/index.php?mod=10.

It's also probably available from the other "usual" Lotus parts suppliers.

[Watcombe]

Brilliant! Thank you oldelanman, what a great forum. I'll get on to that.

[oldelanman]

No problem. Let us know if the shims fix your problem.