Brake Pad Retainer Clips

[JeffMoon78]

Hi y'all, 

 

I'm curious if any of y'all have any expertise in TC brakes and in your opinion, does the brake pad retainer clip extend the life of the pad?

 

I recently took my 2018 TC in for a full brake job. I got all new pads and rotors.

 

As I was driving away from the shop I heard a loud snap and then grinding. I turned around and brought it right back to the shop.

 

Later that day the mechanic told me that the brake pad retainer clip had snapped. He told me that the retainer clip is completely redundant and unnecessary and he solved the problem by removing it entirely.

 

I found this to be suspicious. I know that in general vehicles stop just fine without the retainer clips. It seems that whether or not the clips extend the life of the pads varies from vehicle to vehicle. Also, most of the retaining clips I've encountered are either thin flimsy metal or look like they were made with a paper clip. The TC clip looks like a pretty serious chunk of metal. I find it hard to believe that it does nothing. IMO if it helps extend the life of the pad by even 10%, it's worth having. 

 

I appreciate any opinions on this. 

 

Thanks!

[G B L]

Not sure what they were referring too but if it looked like this stuff it should be in there.

[JeffMoon78]

6 hours ago, G B L said:

Not sure what they were referring too but if it looked like this stuff it should be in there.

Yep. The piece on the bottom. That's exactly what broke. 

[G B L]

Car company's are cheap if it isn't cosmetic then they put it there for a reason. Not much money they should have sprung for the parts!!