so I have an 04 gxp.. doing front brakes again.. 2nd time since I had the car. heres my problem. it semes when I put new rotors on and new pads.. that the brakes don't fit right... the pads seem to be rubbing the rotor all the time.. so the brakes smoke.. and if I drove it long enough the rotors would burn.. turn red or purple...

This happened to me the first time I did a brake job on this car all I did was reseat the pads then... what is the problem now, I reseated the pads and it still does it?


is it the shims or those metal clips? they are orig.. new ones came with the new pads but are not the right size...

dong the brakes on this car has been such a pita... I don't think I will do them ever again myself. and I am pretty good with cars. I just got too frustrated.

The new retainer clips can be a pain. And I've had them seem like they werent the right ones at times. I always clean the rubber boot to the piston well, then spray it w/WD40 before use a C-clamp to push the piston back in. It is uber important you get the piston all the way back in, and if it is seated back correctly, there will be quite a bit of clearance between the pads and the rotors. I hope your getting the right pads for the GXP model. You have to specify that when you get them.

Also remember that when your rear pads need changing, using a C-clamp on the rear pistons will break them. It takes a special tool that fits the piston that connects to a 3/8'* ratchet and you have to turn them back in.

This is the tool.

I have not done a brake job on a GXP, so my answer is generic in nature. Aside from driving habits, there are several issues that can lead to pads not releasing properly:

1. Caliper piston sticking in the bore
2. Caliper not sliding properly on the pins
3. Rubber brake hose to caliper deteriorated internally prevents full pressure release
4. Brake booster failing not allowing brakes to completely release

When you did the brakes did you pull the pins, then clean and lube them too? If not, I'd suggest that you do that. If you did, how well did they seem to work? The pin is the part that is basically a bolt to hold the caliper on and also acts as a pin slide to the assembly.

You might want to change the rubber brake lines. See how much they cost. I obviously don't know for sure they are the issue, but if they are not expensive it may be worth changing them just to rule them out as a possible source of the problem.

GXP Venom has a GXP and may be able to give you more specific advice. If he doesn't jump in here send him a PM.

Thanks for the info. I had forgotten to add that these are for the fronts.... I had bought ceramic pads for the gxp from autozone.. they are def the right pads.. but the clips are wayyyy to big that came with the pads.. they stick out a good half an inch on both sides... plus don't fit in... so I threw them out. I got so frustrated with the hub removal that took about 11 hours to get off.. and the fact that I had to grind the axle end down cause it got damaged trying to get the hub off.. I got so caught up in that I just wanted the job done, so I didn't really clean anything, an di am sure that could have something to do with it.. I will do that the next day I can get to them.

But I do think the pads are too tight in the clips, so I am going to clean the clips, and file the pad ends a lil so there is a bit of play.. Not too much tho..

The brake pin boots are very nicely done and he shouldnt have a problem with that given the GXP'* relative age, or the other normal aged brake problems. I have yet to hear of a GXP booster going bad. At 5 years old, I guess some might start showing up. But yes, it is always good to make sure the pins are clean and re-greased. Doesnt sound like it fits these symptoms. More like the piston isnt being seated, or wrong pads/ faulty pads. For the price difference, I stick with NAPA. I have seen many times where cheap imported pads and retaining clips are made that just dont fit right, even when it is the called for replacement

Where can I get that special brake piston retracting tool? Any idea what its called?

NAPA has them for cheap Xtreme. Take big breath when you ask for it. It a Rear Disc Brake Piston Retraction Tool

If I remember right, it was around $10

Ya, I paid a little less than 10. With my commercial disc. Mine'* just "hardened black" though. I didnt get zinc plated. It has many patterns on it. The larger round one is ours.