Brakes.......sometimes it pays to look in the box:-(

[Toploader]

So today I had time so I set out to put a set of NOS FoMoCo brake pads on my '86 MGM.
I assumed all to be ok, and I never actually looked into the sealed box of pads...........instead removing the inner and outer wheel bearings to clean and repack.

After doing that I opened the box, and my heart sank, then I was pissed!!...........two of the four pads were missing the clips to hold the pads to the cyl pistons!!!

What to do now???? Had to forget the great idea of putting on Ford pads, and instead had to p/u a set from Bendix.
From now on I shall looking in the boxes of car parts to make sure all is as it should be.

[Kodachrome Wolf]

I usually check boxes before handing them to a customer. Things happen, rough handling, careless returns, etc.

I’ve had dented oil filters, brake pads missing hardware, core returns processed as new stock, but it’s best it’s stopped at the counter. That said, obviously when shopping online, that luxury isn’t there and the chance of something being wrong is always possible, but usually most online retailers will fix issues like that.

Odd that the clips weren’t moulded/riveted to the backing plate. Of the pads in the style we use, I don’t think I’ve seen them as a separate component from the pad itself.

[Toploader]

Turns out Ford does not provide clips on the two smaller pads, there are separate part numbers for the required clips.....seems ass-stupid to me???

[gadget73]

yep, the clips were either to be re-used or ordered separately back then. There is actually a reason for it. The front calipers could have phenolic or steel pistons. They require different clips. The pads themselves are the same though.

In the modern world, you get pads for steel or pads for phenolic. Still the same pad but the clip riveted on there is different.

[Toploader]

Thain if that is true, why are the Bendix after market pads not concerned with what kind of pistons the car has?

yep, the clips were either to be re-used or ordered separately back then. There is actually a reason for it. The front calipers could have phenolic or steel pistons. They require different clips. The pads themselves are the same though.

In the modern world, you get pads for steel or pads for phenolic. Still the same pad but the clip riveted on there is different.

[Kodachrome Wolf]

So it seems based on what I’ve seen, police/taxi models got the steel pistons and civilian models got the phenolic pistons. Those result in different piston sizes. Since Marquis hasn’t had a police package since ‘82, part systems may just assume the vehicle has the phenolic piston. I know if you look up LTD models it’ll come up with both styles.

[gadget73]

it was a police / non-police thing, dunno. Maybe it doesn't show up in listings for the Mercury. I don't get that question on my Mark VII either, and it uses the same calipers and pads boxes do.

[GM_Guy]

It (used to show) for the MGM. But like a lot of things, the footnotes (piston material type) got dropped somewhere in time. Just like the window motor month of manufacture call-out for 1989 models is no longer there. The heater blower resistor spec'd assumes all mgms had auto temp control. Probably more things I remember seeing in the early days, that is now missing from online catalogs.

Alex.

[Tiggie]

It (used to show) for the MGM. But like a lot of things, the footnotes (piston material type) got dropped somewhere in time. Just like the window motor month of manufacture call-out for 1989 models is no longer there. The heater blower resistor spec'd assumes all mgms had auto temp control. Probably more things I remember seeing in the early days, that is now missing from online catalogs.

Alex.

This is why I stash old parts catalogs. Had to help a friend with a 64 Fairlane find an idler arm last month. Mid year change.

I’m betting most of the brake pad manufacturers will drop the steel piston part at some point and default to only phenolic. I bet for every 500 phenolic sets sold, one steel gets sold correctly. Not many police boxes running around these days.