[Ian21401]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

Quite often with new pads, there is a burr on the edges of the back-plate - this needs taking off with a file before fitting and also it's good practice to wire brush the mating surfaces of the inside of the calipers where the pads sit to remove any corrosion.

Highly possible whoever fitted the previous pads did niether of these two simple tasks which can lead to the pads sticking in the calipers.

Another useful little task is to wedge a file in the caliper so the file is resting on the edge of the disc, where the lip builds up from where the disc is worn. Put some pressure on the handle of the file and then using a screwdriver, spanner or similar long, flat tool between the wheel studs, turn the hub/disc so the file rubs off the lip on the dege where the pads don't contact.
Don't forget to do the inboard edge of the disc as well.

A few "silly" jobs there, on their own, each job doesn't contribute much to a "nice" braking system but together, they make a big difference, improving long term reliability as well.

Concur to all of the above. Silly little extras but they all add up. I try to clean/service the brakes once a year. If they are done regularly they don’t take long and there aren’t any surprises.