Brake pads arrived with no backing plate - can they be used without?

**KX500** · 23rd October 2015, 13:44

Doing front brake pads on xr650r, ordered some pads off a knowledgeable seller on trade me and the new pads
have not come with the stainless backing plates. (old stainless backing plates will not fit properly even with tabs stretched - will go out now
and see if the new pads actually fit)
The new copper pad mounts are thicker than factory - be the same thickness as old copper pad mounts plus the stainless backing plate.

Can I run the new pads without the stainless backing plates ? What is the actual job of the stainless backing plates ?

Cheers

**sidecar bob** · 23rd October 2015, 13:57

Yes, run them without, they do fuck all.

**KX500** · 27th October 2015, 18:21

Originally Posted by sidecar bob

Yes, run them without, they do fuck all.

Cheers Bob - much appreciated !

**Moise** · 27th October 2015, 18:45

They are meant to prevent brake squeal. But brakes squeal even when they're fitted so yeah, don't worry about them.

**Tazz** · 28th October 2015, 14:53

+1 ^^^

Don't think I've ever received any of those plates with brake pads for bikes either. Apart from that one time it exploded, no problems.

**F5 Dave** · 28th October 2015, 17:15

Golfrens seem to come with them. Maybe some EBCs. Not much else does.

**KX500** · 29th October 2015, 13:11

Cheers for the additional replies - will shoe them in tomorrow

**F5 Dave** · 29th October 2015, 14:58

Clean the outer of piston with strip of old hanky and brake fluid before pushing back home. Tiny sash clamp with gentle force but pump out and try for ease of movement.
Big bikes and small brakes hammer the oil so pump through new fluid. Any real drag, check lever free play. Else strip calliper to clean behind seals.

**F5 Dave** · 29th October 2015, 14:59

Clean the outer of piston with strip of old hanky and brake fluid before pushing back home. Wipe dry. Tiny sash clamp with gentle force but pump out a few times and try for ease of movement. Good setup can be often pushed in by fingers.

Big bikes and small brakes hammer the oil so pump through new fluid. Any real drag, check lever free play. Else strip calliper to clean behind seals.

**KX500** · 3rd November 2015, 15:59

Originally Posted by F5 Dave

Clean the outer of piston with strip of old hanky and brake fluid before pushing back home. Wipe dry. Tiny sash clamp with gentle force but pump out a few times and try for ease of movement. Good setup can be often pushed in by fingers.

Big bikes and small brakes hammer the oil so pump through new fluid. Any real drag, check lever free play. Else strip calliper to clean behind seals.

Cheers Dave - the strip of hanky and brake fluid great tip thanks !

Got the new pads run in - nose of the bike diving down good when brake applied.