Recently replaced front pads/rotors on wife's 2016 RDX awd. The pads appear to have some sort of tension wire that attaches from the inner pad to the outer pad. Have never seen this on other cars. What is its purpose and how necessary is it ? I'm assuming it helps in some way push the pads away from the rotor when brakes are disengaged. The original ones were rusted/broken and the new brake kit did not have them included. So just wondering how critical these are ?

 

How is the car driving without them? When I changed the brakes on my wife's
RDX, it just had one set on each set of pads, although it looks like there is supposed to be an upper and lower spring the pushes the pads apart. The car is driving and braking great.

 

I have yet to notice any issues with brakes without these metal wire clips/springs. No noticeable noise or brake pad dragging as yet. Still would like to know what their intended purpose is though.

 

I noticed they were introduced about 15 years ago when there was a brake pad dragging lawsuit/recall from Honda.

 

The spring is to assist with pulling the pads back. Only one spring per side is installed.