I tried lifting one of the four brake pad tabs with a screw driver and broke one clear off. Not sure if this is part of the brake pad or something more expensive

Is it dangerous driving it with this part broken?

To clarify, this is one of four levers sitting towards the front of the caliper. I suspect it locks it down? I need a diagram...

Scary how easy it was to break.

EDIT:Never mind, i saw this was part of the brake pad...I still need to know if its dangerous to drive with this part broken. Also, I should replace ALL front pads, is this correct (not just one side/caliper)

Thanks in advance.

 

Always replace brakes in pairs. One pair for the front end & one pair for the rear end. NEVER do just one caliper.

 

I believe those clips just hold the brake pads and keep them from vibrating or making noise when the brakes are not being used. The critical parts are the two 3-4 inch pins that hold the pads in correct orientation on the brake caliper. Those two pins are what HAS to be installed or you could loose your brake pads/brakes. YIKES>...... You should be ok with one of the clips broken, Just get the part ordered at the dealer and replaced as soon as possible to prevent future brake noise. Good Luck

 

those things that look like pull tabs on the outer corners of the pads that are riveted on, then honestly "mostly show, hardly any go." Nothing to do with the function of the pad in braking, or retaining it either. I think the concept is you can pretend you are at the track and need to pull the red hot pads pronto by grabbing the tabs with some pliers or glove protected hands after you drive the retaining pins out. Of course you could grab the backing plate with pliers anyway (or use a screwdriver)...show rather than go.

They aren't on aftermarket JCW pads AFAIK either, at least the few brands that exist so far.

 

VW, and perhaps others, called them Anti-Rattle Clips...

 

JCW pads do have the anti rattle/noise type clips (shims). They are mounted on the back of the pad with some adhesive--seem to be thin stainless steel. Very unlikely to break.

Then they also have these "ears" riveted to the two outer corners of each of the four pads. I'm guessing that is what the OP broke, since the shims don't seem to be breakable or even easy to separate (BTDT for aftermarket pads). Said more directly than my preceding post, those ears seem largely for decorative effect with no function in everyday street use.

 

Thanks fellas! I thought they were functional. At least they look the part.