Important! : Problem that nearly caused a crash!!!

[ltp22]

Was wondering if anyone could help. I was quite hapily driving along today going into town, approaching the roundabout when I heard a knock and felt something hit the floor of the car, so I looked in my rear view to see something bouncing along the road (I thought it was some random object), I then push my brakes and theres nothing ....felt just like the clutch. Then after a few pumps of the pedal they came back on again. I pulled over to see if there was anything wrong with the brakes, and I find that one of my drivers side rear pads had fell out! Has anyone had this problem before? If so, what causes it?

Luke

[mechsman]

Not had the problem before (drum beam) but I would check that all of the pad shims and anti-rattle springs are in place (compare it to the other side). I suspect one of the shims has fallen out (not locked in?) and if the pads are worn that could have allowed one of them to twist slightly and fall out.

I would also check you haven't over extended the piston or wrecked the face of the disk by crunching the caliper into it with no pad.

[rick_VTR]

if the rear pad fell out then the littl 'L' shaped locking piece of metal couldnt of been secured properly or the retaining clip fell out and the locking piece vibrated its way out.

[ltp22]

I had a look and it ended up being the slider that secures the pads in, you could literally just pull it out! Cheers for you replys