I bought a set of original Japan Hitachi make front brake pad for my A33 a week ago in KL. The spare part shop only stock A32 front brake pad and he confirm its is compatible for A33.
Bought back Taiping and my mechanic say they were different. After asking around and some say yes and some say not compatible. I even call 2 branches of Tan Chong spare part. And 1 say yes and 1 say no. Prices are same, but who to believe?
So today early morning... went to mechanic and dismantle the brake pad to check it out myself.
TENG TENG TENG TENGGGG!!!!
The brake pads are compatible and can fit into the caliper. BUT... you will have to sacrifice 1 feature. For some people, this feature is unnecessary.
Let me show you the overview of the A33 original setup.
When the brake pad attached to the caliper, notice that there is a spring pull against the pad via safety pin. My opinion is these spring is holding back the brake pad to prevent the brake pad keep sticking on the disc after the brake is being release. Reduce the fiction and reduce heat being generated while the wheel spinning. My reason may be wrong, but I couldn't think why it design that way.
The safety pin function is when your pad is about to finished, the pin will scratch at the edge of the brake disc. Hence create a unpleasant noise. Notifying you its time to get it replaced.
All 4 piece of A33 brake pad has safety pins. But there is only 1 piece has this safety pin for A32.
Ok now lets see how A32 brake pads fits into A33.
Notice the safety pin position. Actually this piece can install at the left wheel outer side. But the spring of other 3 side will be pointing outwards. It post a danger to mechanic that is unaware of it when next time you remove the wheel to repair that area. Because all other 3 piece of new brake pads do not have safety pins.
There are few ways to modify it.
1) bend the spring away. But next time if you were to replace back the A33 type brake pad, you are unable to enjoy that feature.
2) take the safety pin out from old brake pads. Then install them into the new brake pad. Make sure you install it correctly.
3) replace the spring plate with A32 ones. I cannot confirm it would fit into the A33 pad holder because I cannot find 1 to try out. Then keep the A33 one for future.
Cheers!
Bought back Taiping and my mechanic say they were different. After asking around and some say yes and some say not compatible. I even call 2 branches of Tan Chong spare part. And 1 say yes and 1 say no. Prices are same, but who to believe?
So today early morning... went to mechanic and dismantle the brake pad to check it out myself.
TENG TENG TENG TENGGGG!!!!
The brake pads are compatible and can fit into the caliper. BUT... you will have to sacrifice 1 feature. For some people, this feature is unnecessary.
Let me show you the overview of the A33 original setup.
When the brake pad attached to the caliper, notice that there is a spring pull against the pad via safety pin. My opinion is these spring is holding back the brake pad to prevent the brake pad keep sticking on the disc after the brake is being release. Reduce the fiction and reduce heat being generated while the wheel spinning. My reason may be wrong, but I couldn't think why it design that way.
The safety pin function is when your pad is about to finished, the pin will scratch at the edge of the brake disc. Hence create a unpleasant noise. Notifying you its time to get it replaced.
All 4 piece of A33 brake pad has safety pins. But there is only 1 piece has this safety pin for A32.
Ok now lets see how A32 brake pads fits into A33.
Notice the safety pin position. Actually this piece can install at the left wheel outer side. But the spring of other 3 side will be pointing outwards. It post a danger to mechanic that is unaware of it when next time you remove the wheel to repair that area. Because all other 3 piece of new brake pads do not have safety pins.
There are few ways to modify it.
1) bend the spring away. But next time if you were to replace back the A33 type brake pad, you are unable to enjoy that feature.
2) take the safety pin out from old brake pads. Then install them into the new brake pad. Make sure you install it correctly.
3) replace the spring plate with A32 ones. I cannot confirm it would fit into the A33 pad holder because I cannot find 1 to try out. Then keep the A33 one for future.
Cheers!
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