When you buy brake pads, the small bag of metal clips and springs that often goes with them is the brake hardware kit. It is inexpensive and easy to overlook - but skipping it is the number one cause of noisy new brakes. Here is what is inside and why it matters.
What's in the kit
- Abutment clips (slides): the stainless clips that sit in the caliper bracket where the pad ears rest. They give the pad a clean, low-friction surface to slide on so it can apply and release freely.
- Anti-rattle springs and shims: keep the pad from vibrating against the caliper, which prevents rattles and squeal.
- Sometimes pin boots or bushings for the caliper slide pins, depending on the vehicle.
Browse brake hardware kits by vehicle.
Why replace it with every pad job
Clips live in a harsh spot - heat, road salt, and water. Over a set of pads they corrode, lose tension, and trap the pad so it drags or rattles. Reusing old, rusty clips with new pads is the top reason new brakes squeak or wear unevenly - see brake noise after new pads. Fresh hardware restores smooth, quiet, even operation for the price of a coffee.
Install tips
- Clean the bracket seats before fitting new clips - old rust flakes hold clips proud and bind the pad.
- Add a thin film of high-temp brake grease at the contact points - see where to apply brake grease.
- Match the kit to your vehicle and pad style; the clips are shaped for specific brackets.
Doing a brake job? Pair the correct pads with a fresh hardware kit every time. See our install guide for the full procedure.