I have a question about changing the pads on a g37x sedan. I bought Akebono ProACT pads for the front and rear (ACT888/ACT905), but I'm trying to figure out if I need to reuse the factory shim and shim cover. Can anyone help? Trying to do a brake job on my own this week before it gets too cold.

If I need the shims can they be reused or do I need to buy new ones?

I read about some people with problems with squealing noise, if I install the ProACT pads without the shims will this led to noise? I have a faint squeal when I back up. I have the ProACT pads on my rears installed by my mechanic, so I'm not sure if the shims are on there.

I'm wondering if I should return these and just get the OEM pads and shims.

 

Also the service manual talks about copper based grease, silicone based grease (or PBC Poly Butyl Cuprysil) and rubber grease. Are they all the same or do I need different greases?

 

I'm fairly certain the proacts have integrated shims on the pad back plate so no additional shimming is required (same as Stoptech Street pads). As far as grease, CRC caliper grease is good stuff, and should be used on all metal on metal moving contact points including the sliders, and the pad back plates.

 

Thanks for the response. I do see a plate clipped onto the back of the pads. Why does the oem pads have a shim and a shim cover? Regarding the squealing what can i do? Just put synthetic brake grease in between the back of pads and on the slider pins? Does it have anything to do with the wear indicator and how its installed?

Does everyone replace the clips that hold the pads in place? I bought a set of Wearever clips to replace them with, hopefully they fit...I'll put the grease on both sides of the clips also I guess.

 

You can apply a thin film of grease between the clipped shim and the back plate and a thicker coat over the shim (that contacts the pistons), as well as the sliders. I just reused all my mount clips back when I did mine without any issues. Don't go crazy w/ the grease but make sure anything that's metal that does move (even a little bit) has some grease applied.