A pair of abutment clips hold the inner and outer pads in place, preventing rattles and allowing the brakes to apply and release smoothly. If you’ve done your job properly, the abutment clips should fit into the caliper bracket lands without drama.

Do you need new clips for brake pads?

New brake pads usually come with new retaining clips. The clips may be specific to either the left or right side of the vehicle, so make sure that you are using the appropriate clip. Remove the old clips and replace them with new ones. They will easily snap into place.

Is brake hardware necessary?

A fresh set of hardware can gain horsepower and fuel economy by reducing brake drag. The constant heating and cooling of even normal driving will weaken your springs and anti-rattle clips over time. Weak hardware can result in excessive movement, binding, pulling, warping, uneven wear, noise, or other problems.