Bend tabs down on brake clips when installing new pads ?

[Burnsy]

2001 3.0 v6 ranger.....when putting on new pads how important is it to bend in the tiny tabs on the clips that the pads slide into ? Im not talking about anything on the pad im talking about the clips/guides that the pad sits in.......theres tabs at the top and bottom, like two on top two on bottom, they seem designed to hold the pad in place ive heard people say you don't have to bend them in that the caliper will hold the pad in place............im getting a grinding from somewhere but its not pads/rotors in the classic sense...i changed my pads and rotors they're wearing normal but sometimes after I've gone ten miles with frequent stops, if I come to a quick stop, on the end of the stop I get this grind.......if I pull my foot off the break then reapply the noise goes away.....I should add my rear shoes need replacing bad according to my buddy....do the front and rear brakes work together ? Or could I be hearing my rear brakes ? I'm also thinking a sticking caliper but I'm not sure how that applies exactly to my problem........Before I get into new calipers I was wondering if those tiny tabs on the clips could be the culprit I don't push the tabs in when doing pads but never had a problem before......also, it's worse when pulling my lawn trailer, like there's more weight to stop, so its worse happens more frequently.......are my worn rear brakes making my fronts work too hard ? the sound is like bad pads on bad rotors, definite grind, but my new pads and rotors are wearing perfect , no wear no grind marks so in perplexed, .....could a pad be shifting without those tiny tabs pressed in on it and causing odd contact that would grind ? Thanks

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Check your rear brakes.

 

[Burnsy]

Check your rear brakes.

About a month ago one rear brake cylinder started leaking.....my buddy fixed it and that's when he said the shoe was worn badly and needed replacing.......my grind was happening before the cylinder failure and after the cylinder replacement.....all the springs are intact and normal on both wheels from my inspection but shoes are needed badly. I'm having new put on next wknd. I guess I'll know for sure then if that's the problem.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

You should be able to see or feel a gouge on the front rotor if the brakes are causing a grinding sound. I cant think of anything else that would cause a grinding sound at the tines you describe.
But maybe there is a rock or debris hitting the front drive axles? Something loose contacting the front drive shaft?

 

[tinman_72]

I have replaced front pads twice on a '99 Mountaineer, which I am pretty sure is the same as '01 Ranger. I have never heard of having to bend any clips. Never had a problem.

 

[Ranger850]

It could be the pad material making the grinding noise. If you went to a metallic from a non-metallic you could notice a different feel and/or sound