GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Just recently changed the pads on my sister's 2003 Vibe AWD with 95k on it . Mostly freeway driving . Still had 25% of the pad left. I used the "Raybestos Professional Grade Ceramic Brake Pads", which looked just like the original Toyota pads that came off the car. The old pads had the wear indicators attached but the replacement pads had none. Looks like I was suppose to remove them from the old pads and attach them to the new ones. There was a groove for them but I just left them out.My question has to do with the shims that came off the back of each pads. The new pads had a metal plate riveted in place. The old pads had several fancy looking shim plates on them that I didn't use. Now was I suppose to reuse those old shim plates? It's never clear on the box the new pads come in.Sister is complainting the brakes are making noise now . I did check 1 side of the rear brake shoes when I changed the pads and they looked ok. I'm going to have to look at the other shoes I didnt check. So hopefully it's the rear making the noise. If not do I add those old shims in now?Thanks, Sublimewind for those photos on your brake thread, I never done a (Toyota), brake job so they were really helpful. Al

Hi and welcome to GenVibe... (and you are welcome, for the pics)The "shims" were there to help prevent the noise, but you can do the same with some break grease, you don't even have to take everything apart again, just put a blob of brake grease, about the size of a pea, on the center of the pad where you can see it and smear it a little to make it about the size of a quarter... Make SURe it's brake grease, or it'll burn up... you prolly already know this though... You can get special stuff at the parts store, but i've always just used some of the grease I already have...

Just an update....Noise was coming from the rear when brakes applied.I loosen the lug bolts by hand then removed with my electric impact driver.It did feel like one of the lugs was not as tight as the others.Pulled both drums off and everything looked normal.Wiped things down and put back together.Been a while now and no more noise.I was teaching my sister's teenage son to work on their car.So probably that loose lug bolt caused the noise.We even used a torque wrench to tighten them but guess he missed that one. Al

Don't forget to go back and check them with the TW after 100-500mi to... Glad to hear the noise is gone..

I used Raybestos pads before and also had noise issues. Went back to oem and the noise was gone.