Please help - brake replacement question (IN PROCESS)
 

I am currently changing the brakes on my car. The Protege 5 shop manual states:

3.After installation, depress the pedal a few times, rotate the wheel by hand, and verify that the brake does not
drag.

I can rotate the wheel just fine, but I do hear the brake pad rubbing against the rotor when I rotate it. Is this normal? It seems like it would be, since the caliper piston doesnt retract, or does it? If this is not normal, what may be causing this to rub?

ALSO,

It was a PITA to remove the caliper bridge bolts, since I am replacing my rotor. I had to get my torque wrench out to get leverage. Do these bolts have some type of Loctite on them? I couldnt tell if they were corroded or had loctite. The Shop Manual does not state to use any type of locking compound.

LAST,

My stock brakes had some shims on them (see below). Do I reuse these shims on the new brake pads? They don't have anything to snap them onto the new brakes, but I managed to get them to stay on once I put the caliper back on the pads. Should I leave these off?

PICS:

New brake pads, old shims from original pads

Attachment 9788

Old pads with shims installed

Attachment 9789

Caliper Bridge Bolt Location

Attachment 9790

Sorry, I'm probably not much help.

How easily does the hub and rotor assembly turn? Can you turn it by hand?

I've only worked on brakes on my rear wheel drive truck. When the front rotors were turned by hand, there was a slight noise but I dont think it was brakes dragging so much. Maybe noise of bearings, but I guess they shouldn't really make much if any noise.

Like I said, I'm no help....

Just didn't want you to feel like everyone is ignoring your question.:yelrotflm

Thanks for the reply. The rotor assembly turns easily by hand and will continue to turn for a bit with some momentum. I checked the other tires, and they also do this so it must be normal. After all, the brake pad material should be in contact with the rotor at all times, it only clamps down when you apply the brakes.

Regarding my questions, I recieved some replies on the Miata forum and I also did some more research. I ended up reusing the shims. I put some brake grease on the back of the brake pads and the shims had something to stick to while installing. I also decided to buy some blue loctite to apply to the caliper mount bolts. After taking the bolts off of another mount, I was sure that they had some type of loctite on it. Other people recommended the blue loctite also.

1: yep, that's normal, and oughtta go away real quick.
2: They lock together because of the heat generated by braking. In my experience, no loctite needed.
3: If possible, leave the shims on. They'll reduce/ kill any rattling. Some pads come with new shims.

Nice, clear pics. :)