Another Q brake question

[Highway Q45]

When I bought my Q two years ago the seller said all the pads had just been done. The brakes did work fine, lots of pad material left and good rotors. I just did the rears on the 91 last weekend and found something really surprising. There were absolutely no shims, straight pad-to-piston and caliper. I had done the fronts last Summer and the shim set was still very serviceable. What is unusual is the brakes worked just fine, no squeals, vibrations, or unusual wear on any parts (except the back of the pads). I went ahead and got the shim kit from Joe and all is well. Is it common for a franchise type non-dealer shop to toss the shim kits like that when doing brakes; I thought all cars needed some kind of shim or anti-rattle device.

Steve

[maxnix]

My fronts were botched on one side in the front by the dealer on the 60K service. The installed shims were upside down on one side.

[Q451990]

I wouldn't be surprised at the results from any "quick brake" type place... hell even the dealership for that matter! That's why I still do my own work - even though sometimes time is more valuable to me than $$ these days.

You did the right thing by getting the shims and putting them back on!

Heath

[IvoryJ30t]

its perfectly safe to leave the shims off. the only effect would be squeaking.

[Q45tech]

The insulative [spacing] effects are noticeable in delaying the heat up time of the brake fluid.........just like the pad holdin edge clips..........every second minute counts at least on the inside pad.

[Highway Q45]

Dennis,That makes good sense. Guess that's why they use 3 separate shim layers next to the piston side of the caliper. Infiniti engineers wouldn't have put them there without a valid reason. Still can't figure out why they run the HP HICAS hoses so close to the exhaust manifold without a heat shield but shielded the LP reservoir supply hose...go figure huh?