Changing Brake Pads

[Lexus Jim]

Just replacing my brake pads and have a few questions:

whats the small metal square that sits behind the lower clip for? and is it important as mine are rusting away - can I buy a new ones?

The brake shims have started to rust away, I'm trying to get some from lexus today (before I go away this pm) so I can fit some new ones, I have only done one side at the minute, will I be ok driving with one side new pads, one side old (20% left on them)?

I noticed there is a arrow on the brake shims, should it point in a particular direction?

The old pads were very difficult to remove, I had to prise them out with a screwdriver. The new pads went in fine. Does this just mean the old ones had expanded or is there a problem elsewhere?

Cheers for any help

Jim

[Wosket]

i had to get the screwdriver on mine too to get the old ones out, i think its just all the brake dust and poop that gets in there that makes em stiff mate.

i dont remember finding a small metal square behind my clips but i did give the clips a good clean and they came up a treat.

dunno what a brake shim is but my brake pad change went fine and didnt take long with the exception of a snapped banjo bolt which chris sorted out for me.

i should think you'll be ok driving with new pads one side and old the other but the car may pull to one side under braking.

[Lexus Jim]

brake shim = anti-squeel pad? I think

its the thing that goes directly on the back of the brake pad and then the thin maetal plate goes over the top

[Wosket]

ahar! mine were all rusty and covered in brake dust, i just gave em a good scrub and put em back on jim.