New EBC Green Stuff brake pads are too wide

[Klaus Schlueter]

Hi all
I have changed the EBC pads and found that the new ones had a very tight fit in the caliper slot.
The reason: the width should be 88 mm (see att. EBC data sheet) but they came with 89 mm! The old EBC ones are 88,5 mm and the very old asbestos pads are 88 mm. With 89 mm the pads are clamped in the slot and do not really open. Grind 1 mm off.
So better to check when you are going to fit new ones.

Klaus

K1600_EBC Datasheet.jpgK1600_IMG_3067.jpg

[SaskStag]

Hi Klaus,
I'm about to do this job; just finished the wheel bearings and waiting for a new D washer and wheel nuts to arrive.
I measured the pads I have and they are about 86 mm width on both new, and the old pads. The caliper doesn't look like it is correctly positioned, but it is measuring same place as your pic .
both brake pads low res.jpg new and old brake pads lowrs-1.jpg

Oh well, I guess you will stop faster than me...
Tanya

[Klaus Schlueter]

Strange, both are stamped "Made in England"--so comming from the same source?

Klaus

[DJT]

I fitted new EBC Greenstuff pads last month having received my calipers back from Bigg Redd. They fitted fine. Looks like you could have had a bad set Klaus.

[SaskStag]

Mine were from Mike Coffey in USA, but I believe he gets parts in bulk from Rimmers
T

[Klaus Schlueter]

]I fitted new EBC Greenstuff pads last month having received my calipers back from Bigg Redd. They fitted fine. Looks like you could have had a bad set Klaus.

This is a safety part Dave and there should not be a "bad set". We have often scoffed at parts comming from China, but EBC is located in England and is not cheap.
I understand that they need a new cutting tool for the steel plate of the pads from time to time but why 89 mm instead of 88 mm?

Klaus

[1959terry]

This is a safety part Dave and there should not be a "bad set". We have often scoffed at parts comming from China, but EBC is located in England and is not cheap.
I understand that they need a new cutting tool for the steel plate of the pads from time to time but why 89 mm instead of 88 mm?

Klaus

Maybe that China are making cheap copies?

[DJT]

This is a safety part Dave and there should not be a "bad set". We have often scoffed at parts comming from China, but EBC is located in England and is not cheap.
I understand that they need a new cutting tool for the steel plate of the pads from time to time but why 89 mm instead of 88 mm?

Klaus

Quite agree Klaus. I'm not defending EBC; if these are genuine parts, they should fit without modification.

[Lokisdad]

Hi All,

I've didn't have this problem when I changed my Stag pad recently but over the last 40 years or so I have often had to grind the metal backing down to make pads fit in the calipers. i just consider it 'normal' practice.

Harvey

[kev100]

Hi All,

I've didn't have this problem when I changed my Stag pad recently but over the last 40 years or so I have often had to grind the metal backing down to make pads fit in the calipers. i just consider it 'normal' practice.

Harvey

I agree, all the time I was a mechanic we ground down the edges of the pads to make them fit, don't want a tight fitting pad ... cover the exposed metal in copper grease (and the back of course to stop squealing) and your good to go .. sometimes the paint coating is also too thick and that's one of the reasons to grind down the edges .. normal practice and nothing to worry about.

[Klaus Schlueter]

normal practice and nothing to worry about.

OK, I'll keep that in mind

Klaus

[kev100]

OK, I'll keep that in mind

Klaus

I just did the same thing with my S-class Merc .. the pads were slightly too tight so I ground the edges down ... just remember dont take too much off in one go .. if your not used to doing this be careful and take a little bit at a time off each side and try the fit .. last thing you want is rattling pads ..

[DJT]

I just did the same thing with my S-class Merc .. the pads were slightly too tight so I ground the edges down ... just remember dont take too much off in one go .. if your not used to doing this be careful and take a little bit at a time off each side and try the fit .. last thing you want is rattling pads ..

You don't want paddling rats either................