Brake Pad & Shoe Hardware
About Brake Pad & Shoe Hardware
Pad and shoe hardware is the set of small parts that keeps brake friction material in place and working properly, such as retaining pins, springs, clips and shims. Riders change them when the old pieces are worn, bent or corroded, or when new pads rattle or drag after a pad change.
The listings here are mostly pads, and the titles show the compounds: carbon ceramic, sinter and semi-metallic/ceramic, along with others labeled HH or by a front or rear position. Check what each listing contains and whether it is for the front or rear. Hardware for a particular caliper or drum is specific to that design, so match it to your model and year. For plain pad choices, the main range is in Brake Pads.
Brands here include EBC, Drag Specialties, Brembo, Thrashin Supply Co. and Performance Machine (PM). If you are replacing a drum brake, see Brake Shoes, and for the clamp that holds the pads, Brake Calipers & Brackets. Related parts are Brake Disc Rotors and Rebuild Kits & Parts. The whole group is Brakes & Brake Parts.
FAQs on brake pad and shoe hardware
What counts as brake pad hardware?
It is the small parts that hold pads in the caliper or shoes in the drum, such as pins, clips, springs and shims. They keep the friction material aligned and stop it rattling. Which pieces your brake uses depends on the design.
Should I replace pad pins and clips when I fit new pads?
Inspect them. If a pin is bent or corroded, or a clip or spring has lost its tension, replace it. Worn hardware can let pads bind or rattle, so it is worth checking each time you change them.
What do sintered, ceramic and semi-metallic mean on a pad?
They name the friction material. Sintered pads use fused metal particles, ceramic compounds use ceramic fibers, and semi-metallic uses metal in a resin binder. They differ in heat handling, bite and rotor wear, so follow the maker's recommendation.
Do drum brakes use hardware too?
Yes. Drum brake shoes are held and returned by springs, and some designs add retaining pins or clips. Weak or stretched springs can leave the brake dragging, so check them when you replace shoes.
What is a brake pad shim for?
A shim is a thin plate on the back of a pad that damps vibration and helps prevent squeal. Fit it the way the pad maker shows, and keep the pad surfaces clean. If a squeal continues, check the pads for glazing and the rotor for contamination.
