Replacing the brake pads on all 4 wheels on my 2010 GS350 AWD.

The old FRONT brakes have 2 thin aluminum shims between EACH of the pads and the caliper pistons. Meaning, a total of 4 shims on each wheel.

The new replacement ceramic brake pads (good quality ceramic pads) did not come with any shims and it doesn't look like there would be enough room for any shims to fit anyway. So, we didn't use the old shims. It seems

The old brakes were well over 100k miles and more than 6 years old.

This "use of the shims" situation regards only the front brakes, so far, as we yet to change the rear brake pads.

Does anyone have thoughts on us not using any shims between pads and caliper pistons?

 

You can get by using without, but eventually it will make noises. Hopefully you used grease, or some sort of noise absorber behind the pads. Maybe you can drive the car a bit, and that should wear down the pads just enough to slip in the backing plates.

 

I'd just reuse the old shims. They're there for a reason.

 

When I had my brakes done, the guy at the shop threw the old shims out with the old brake pads. I actually went back friday night and got them out the recycle bin. All weekend I had the loundest, squeakiest brakes ever. Re-installed them on Monday and the car was fine. I used OEM pads and rotors but they get pretty dusty, im always wiping down my wheels. Also, reduce the amount of brake fluid in the reservoir before you compress the calipers otherwise it'll overfill.

 

Theres 2 kinds of oem brake pads, theres the regular ones and the dust free ones maybe you have the standard pads. Also there is no need to purchase oem pads, akebono brand is the oem supplier to toyota/lexus.

 

Thats true but I just ordered a bunch of parts at the dealer (wholesale) when I first got the car to save time and shipping.