Z32 brake question

[chairmnofthboard]

I'm doing a brake conversion on my S14. I'm using Z32 (JDM S15, but I think they are the same) calipers and rotors with SPL brake lines. I am missing the "Special Shim" on my Z32 calipers. Do I have to use them? Do my stock S14 calipers have have the "Special Shim"?

http://importnut.net/240pics/brake_upgrade/pad01.jpg

[JRas]

you should be fine.. I've never even seen the brakes with that "special shim".
http://is.rely.net/3-2-2326-l-9O3o3nG2Hy1eGF7kdLMQJQ.jpg

[chairmnofthboard]

Jras, are you using thread lock or antisieze on those four bolts? When I took mine apart to paint, those bolts looked like they had antisieze. Can't tell.

[Devens240]

mine had a couple missing... i dont think you need them

[punn303]

I've come across at least 20 sets of z32 front calipers and still haven't seen those shims. You should be fine without them.

[projectRDM]

They're anti rattle clips, basically keeps the pad from chattering against the rotor. I've never used them either, nor do I sell calipers with them. Completely useless unless you have supersonic hearing and it bothers you.

[94_240sx]

you should be fine.. I've never even seen the brakes with that "special shim".
http://is.rely.net/3-2-2326-l-9O3o3nG2Hy1eGF7kdLMQJQ.jpg

^^This is my caliper.

I bought a kit from Courtesy, so mine has all the shims. Yeah, they are there to prevent vibration. I don't think it's that critical to have them. My calipers are used from eBay and front and back calipers, all of them had shims.
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p112/sxj6151/NICO2/IMG_5503.jpg
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p112/sxj6151/NICO2/IMG_5479.jpg

[chairmnofthboard]

Thanks everyone, but I think we have a misunderstanding. The "special shim" I'm referring to is the one that goes on the mounting bolts. I have all the other shims.

[Giebs]

lol, the only one thats actually labeled special shim in the pic. from the looks of it, those shims showed up in the 95 300z. you probably dont need them, but make sure that the mounting bolts dont rub on the the rotor when you tighten them down. but i cant tell from the shop manuals if that shim acts as some sort of locking device for the bolts, do you have spring washers for the mounting bolts?

[let5l1de]

These special shims were designed to lock the caliper bolts using loaded tension after the bolt was torqued. Just torque the caliper mounting bolts properly and you will be fine. You can also use a small amount of loctite if you are paranoid.

[94_240sx]

Oh!! Shoot!! What a bummer!!
Sorry. One caliper came with special shims and the other one didn't. I just throw them away, so mine don't have them. Don't bother. It's all good without them.

[JRas]

Jras, are you using thread lock or antisieze on those four bolts? When I took mine apart to paint, those bolts looked like they had antisieze. Can't tell.

not my caliper, I have STi's

I just googled that picture.. because personally I've never seen them.. since this guy was doing a quality rebuild.. I figured if they were important he would have them.

probably locktite on the bolts threads.

[projectRDM]

I read wrong too. very Z32 caliper though I've ever messed with doesn't have those at all. The bolts are usually loctited in or they're so tight there's no way they can back out. But the clips I mentioned, as well as the regular shims, are not needed.

[alkemyst]

lol, the only one thats actually labeled special shim in the pic. from the looks of it, those shims showed up in the 95 300z. you probably dont need them, but make sure that the mounting bolts dont rub on the the rotor when you tighten them down. but i cant tell from the shop manuals if that shim acts as some sort of locking device for the bolts, do you have spring washers for the mounting bolts?

The special shims are to protect an aluminum caliper from the mounting point AFAIK. They are extremely thin and couldn't help for anytype of spacing concerns on the caliper to rotor alignment. My R33 calipers came with them...

*Edit* Let5l1de's explaination makes sense too.