The front left brake pad retaining/rattle clip broke on my CD today (ATE calipers). It was rattling and sounded like bells. I pulled the wheel off and found the broken clip.

I can't get a clip tonight and my wife needs to be able to drive to work tomorrow.

Here's the question:
Can we drive the car without any problems if I don't have a retaining clip? Will the pins will hold the pads in and stay put without the spring tension from the clip? Should I put the broken pieces back under the pins?

__________________
Chad
2006 Nissan Pathfinder LE
1998 Acura 3.0 CL
OBK#44
"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." - Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)

SOLD
1985 300TD - Red Dragon
1986 300SDL - Coda
1991 - 300TE
1995 - E320
1985 300CD - Gladys

That really sucks man. I'm sorry I can't help, but you have my sympathy.

__________________
I never go far without a little Big Star

1994 E500 199/Gray 82k
84 300D (Salty) Orient Red/Palomino 141k
88 300CE (Ersatzhammer) 904/Java 163k -- Turbo Technics twin turbo kit, AMG Gen I body kit, Sportline steering box and steering wheel, Sportline/Eibach /Bilstein Sport/500E suspension, Quaife LSD in 210 mm diff case, Silver Arrow brakes.
88 300CE Brabus 3.6 199 on Black 44k

Thanks Mark.

I guess I'll order the clip from Fastlane and put the broken pieces back under the pins until it arrives. If someone posts that this is dangerous or a bad idea, I guess she can use the wagon tomorrow.

__________________
Chad
2006 Nissan Pathfinder LE
1998 Acura 3.0 CL
OBK#44
"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." - Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)

SOLD
1985 300TD - Red Dragon
1986 300SDL - Coda
1991 - 300TE
1995 - E320
1985 300CD - Gladys

Chad, do the pins going through the holes in the brake pads have cotter pins on the end facing outward? I think I've heard the that the ATEs don't and Bendix do, but I can't vouch for that. If they DO have cotter pins, I would figure your wife will be just fine to drive to work without the clip. The brake pads aren't going anywhere and as long as the brake pads are there, then you got brakes.

Now, if they DON'T have the cotter pins, I wouldn't risk it. The retaining clips have to be there to apply pressure to keep the pins in place.

__________________
1981 300CD 260k w 60k on new motor
1983 240D 4spd Manual

I remember the calipers still have "pins" (not the retaining "clip") and I'm guessing they might do the job but I'd rather not risk it since this is already a safety issue.

Might want to bring the wife to work first then go to work and take one car instead. That's what I'd do.

__________________
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7271/7...144c3fc1dc.jpg

Thanks for the replies guys. I won't risk it then.

I might as well leave the car up on the jack stands until I have the part. I just ordered a new clip and asked for next day air shipping, but I imagine it probably won't get here until Monday.

Oh well, at least I just got the wagon back in good shape.

__________________
Chad
2006 Nissan Pathfinder LE
1998 Acura 3.0 CL
OBK#44
"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." - Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)

SOLD
1985 300TD - Red Dragon
1986 300SDL - Coda
1991 - 300TE
1995 - E320
1985 300CD - Gladys

I think the key is the title...anti rattle clip.

I would drive it that way for a day or two without worrying.

It'll probly rattle though....

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

That's what I was originally thinking Tom, but I got myself all anxious thinking about how this is my wife's daily driver. I don't want to risk anything with her.

The pins have little plastic bushings on them that snap into the caliper when they're fully in place. They came out with a drift easier than I remember which is what made me ask the question originally.

I can live without my wagon for a few days. That's not a problem. My wife would rather drive the CD because she's in love with it, but she'll have to hang tough until I get the clip.

__________________
Chad
2006 Nissan Pathfinder LE
1998 Acura 3.0 CL
OBK#44
"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." - Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)

SOLD
1985 300TD - Red Dragon
1986 300SDL - Coda
1991 - 300TE
1995 - E320
1985 300CD - Gladys

Chad- its perfectly fine to drive it like that, no worries.

Which reminds me I need to replace the right rear one on my SEC, it was broken and has been off the car for most of last season of auto-x

__________________


1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

HA!! Well the CD doesn't go through anything like an auto-x. It's good to know for sure that it wouldn't be an issue.

Thanks.

Nice new avatar BTW.

__________________
Chad
2006 Nissan Pathfinder LE
1998 Acura 3.0 CL
OBK#44
"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." - Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)

SOLD
1985 300TD - Red Dragon
1986 300SDL - Coda
1991 - 300TE
1995 - E320
1985 300CD - Gladys

The ATE pins have that spring loaded portion on them that keeps them in the caliper.

__________________
1981 300SD 512k OM603

Our 300E must be missing the anti-rattle spring on the passenger front caliper, the pad makes a rattling noise when coasting sometimes...it stops and feels fine, it just...rattles! Slight pressure on the brakes when its rattling stops it. We've driven it thousands of miles so far that way, so I would guess you're just fine without them.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Chad, take your wife to work, call in "well" and tell them your baby has a broken rattle

It`s easy to sit here looking at the monitor and tell you " yeah, sure go ahead and drive it. Bottom line, brakes are a safety issue, and most of the breaking is on the front end.

Might be a good idea to do a through check of all your brakes while the CD is down.

Charlie

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works