when i removed my seized calipers from my parts car, attached to the caliper (where the caliper met the hub) were little clip like spacers... i neglected to remove them and stick them on my remaned calipers...



my question would be... do i need them? were they of any use?



and if i need them, where to get them? places like mazdatrix and napa dont carry parts like that...



you can kind of see them in this picture...

 

Are you talking about the spring like clips on top? They are not essential, mostly there to keep the pad from rubbing/dragging/noise.

 

not those... i highlighted them in the attached picture

 

Want a shot in the dark answer?



Could be there to prevent a galvanic reaction between the dissimilar metals, keeping it from corroding and dissolving like alka seltzer.



Or maybe stop potential creaking sounds from your brakes.



dunno!?

 

i dont know about the galvanic corrosion... both parts are aluminum if im not mistaken..... hmmm

 

That piece is a stock shim placed there by mazda. I would guess it was placed there to help align the caliper and the brake pads so they dont drag on the surface of the rotors. but thats my guess.

 

ill install them regardless... well see what happens..

 

you'll never know until you try. If you dont get any kind of horrid grinding sounds coming from your front brakes then I guess its alright If it sounds like live cats being cut apart with a chainsaw then its time to break out the shim. Good luck

 

Keep them on. Specially if you leave in areas of high salt / damp areas. The calipers are aluminum while the spindle is steel.

 

Galvanic reaction. Its what i figured, but ive seen so many spindles...