I know this topic was covered a few years back, but I think it needs mentioning again, as this is a task often tackled by first time beginners, which I'm not.
I set about about changing my front brake pads this afternoon due to wear. They were changed about three years ago for a new MOT by the dealer when I purchased the car.
I was a bit surprised at how tight the existing pads were on the driver's side, but hammered them out. When I tried to fit new Pagid pads, they were so tight that it wasn't practical to fit them, so I filed a bit of the ends of the metal backing to get them in. The passenger side was easier, but again, one pad needed filing.
I'm not sure exactly where the fault lay. Was it poor tolerances on the Pagid pads, or was it after market pad holders causing the problem? Unlikely. I tried fitting the Pagid pads with the existing fitting kits and with new ones, but it made no difference.
I strongly suspect that the garage that changed them previously simply hammered them in. It was interesting that the driver's side was a lot worse than the passenger side.
I don't recall experiencing this on any other car and I wouldn't expect to have to modify a part to fit it.
Is this a common problem?
I had to file the tabs on my rear Pagids, the front Brembos went straight in
The pads should slide freely in their mounts. The main reason pads go tight is rust build-up on the steel behind the spring clips.
Yes you can file and grind the ends of the pads (and sometimes you HAVE to) but mostly the pads will slide right in very easily if the calipers are cleaned up with a square file.
Take a pic of how the spring clips go in, then take them out. Clean up the slots behind them with the square file, clean the clips thoroughly, and put them back. Then put the pads in.
This should be done at every pad change.
It's important that the pads can move in their mounts for the brakes to work properly and for the pads to wear evenly.
You'll be amazed at the improvement in braking.
When changing pads, it's wise to remove the caliper support bracket at the same time. The recesses behind the pad springs are generally caked with rust/crud and require thorough cleaning with a wire brush. This helps the pads float within the carriers. I also dress the pad plates but no more than removing the paint on the tips.
Be careful you can get them in the wrong way and they can be dam tight, I pair my Pagids off then picked up the wrong one and it wouldnt fit once, I couldnt work out why. Correct they just dropped in.
Norman