I just completed my 1st brake job on my 03 civic & I had 1 major problem. After installing the new rotor & pads it was impossible to get the caliper to fit. I did push the cylinder all the way back into the caliper & removed the shims from the new pads. It just would not fit. I checked with the store & they assured me I had the correct parts. The only way I could make it work was to use the new innerpad with an old outer pad (the old pad still had a lot letf). Same problem on both sides. Anyone else ever have this problem? The brakes seem to work fine & the pulsation from the warped rotors is gone.

 

Visually, were the new and old pads identical excluding wear?

Yeah, the typical problem is not having the cylinder compressed completely, which I do with a C-lamp.

 

Yes, they were identical - excluding wear.

 

I have read in other posts that people who had difficulty with getting their caliper down after the new install had the wrong thickness.

Do we have a maximum thickness? I'm sure there is. this would enable you to know if your pad is the wrong type.

 

ive changed mine and have not had the problem, really make sure the c clamp is pressing down on that piston hard.

 

Good point. Service manual says standard thickness is 9.5 - 10.5mm. I'll have to check the thickness of the new pads.

 

It's definately not the piston. It is pressed all the way in.

 

Wouldn't call that a major problem, I've experienced similar issues when using inexpensive brand just to pad slap and go.