GS550et 1980 brake shims ?

[ukjules]

I was wandering if anyone has removed , cleaned up the single rear brake caliper (like in diagram attached ) and replaced but without the brake pad shims?

My bike has run for years it seems with those shims having disintegrated . Worked fine ....

I'd like them but can't seem to find them to buy anywhere ? And if a mad price Id rather not.

[ukjules]

Shims like this :

Part number 6915245001

[rphillips]

Always hard to imagine the purpose of those things, what the heck could they possibly do??? but always put them back in there anyway.

[bitzz]

They're there to dampen vibration, to eliminate squeal

[rphillips]

Hey ukjules, put some in yours then report back the difference in the sound... I like proof of what things do..

[Nessism]

Those shims look like something that can be cut out of a cres sheet fairly easily.

[bwringer]

I'd wager that half, or probably many more, of these shims have vanished with the passage of time and the tender attentions (and inattentions) of decades of thumbfingered mechanics and accursed POs.

And honestly, the brakes will work just fine without the shims. Most of the time you don't get any squealing or groaning without the shims. If you do, then perhaps try to track some down or fabricate your own.

I wouldn't worry about it much, honestly.

[rphillips]

Just thinking, Auto pads come with, or us'ta come with, a small tube of silicone, to put on the back of the pad to stop them from making racket? If this is the same thing, would a drop of silicone work in place of these shims?

[ukjules]

Thanks for replies. When I took off the rear caliper thin paper like rust just fell apart (those shims) . I hadn't looked in there for 6 years or more since I bought bike. So they worked fine with them rusted to blazes .....

I will try silicon or copper grease on back if new pads and report .

P.s there was no squeaking at all and never has been, always passed an MOT, and jncouod skid to a stop no probs stamping on rear brake.

Will inform / update
(Must admit I'll re check if one can be traced round as fabricating one may be a project for a rainy day) I think they are both dust though (and bike not able to get to till thur)

[Rob S.]

Just thinking, Auto pads come with, or us'ta come with, a small tube of silicone...

I thought it was copper grease. No?

[rphillips]

Only from NYC could I imagine copper grease

[Rich82GS750TZ]

You can buy it by the 5-gallon bucket or by the single use packet at the check-out counter of any Auto-Zone, Pep-boys, etc.

https://www.amazon.com/copper-grease/s?k=copper+grease

[ukjules]

IMG_20230601_195920_W8BoWhC67T.jpg Update : need to order seal kit and new pads. I'm gonna risk the old pistons which iv cleaned up as rust on the top part. May get away with it.

Pic of old pads . Note the shim had disintegrated long ago it seems and circle of piston clearly seen. And these worked fine in this state.

So Def will refit without shim and copper grease the back of pads. Will report

[Suzukian]

Brake pads get hot, use a product made for Brake pads, there is an automotive "anti-squeal" stuff that comes in a little tube. It will make the pads stay with the caliper. Use sparingly.

[ukjules]

update :
new pistons and seals in. wrong pads sent so using wemoto parts dept to get right set. added confusion as there are two types of pads for models 78-80 .

- so will put all back without the shims and copper grease backs of pads.

Am I losing it as I think that is the way to do it (re pads) ?
( I always clean out all bolt threads too and copper grease them. Was told to do that
by a very old good engineer so can torque them properly)