I replaced my rotors/pads last night, and my dumb ass forgot to put the shims on the pads. It is not making any noise and stopping perfectly. Do I need to install the shims or is it ok to leave them off?

 

If you installed Hawk pads they have shim built on to the new ones
If other brand and there was no plate on them- take it apart right away, get some caliper grease to fix that part of the job too, and install the shims.
The brakes need to fit really tight so they work instantly and dont bob around in the bracket

 

You can try your luck for a while, but good chance you will be hearing it soon. So, if you don't want to hassle now, then cool. But if you don't want noise later, then throw em in now or make time after you hear it!

 

The shims are there for a reason. Take off the pads and put them on!

 

Most of what I have read says they are simply there for noise control. If it is not a safety issue I think I will leave it alone for now and hold onto them in case the noise becomes a problem.

 

EBC pads also have shims built on...so unless you have those type of pads you'd better put them shims and some brake quiet on or prepare for a whole lotta squeakin

 

SSM

Pads are FAR more than a noise reduction device
They keep the pads very close to the rotors- which gives you
a more solid and instant reaction to request for braking NOW!!!!

Some cars even have multiple shims to get the clearance just rght

Fix your brakes now or bring the car home 2 feet shorter!!!!

 

There was barely any clearance left when i installed them. I compressed the caliper all the way, and when assembled the pads were actually contacting the rotors and had no room to move what so ever. The shims supplied were maybe 1-2 mm thick. I will put them on eventually, but after working on the car until past midnight for four nights in a row last week (after 9 hour days at work) I am going to leave it alone for a little bit and take a rest

 

What pads and rotor combo are you running

Many hi performance pads come with their shims already installed
If there was anything but a flat surface on the pad back- that was the shim

 

rototech rotors with friction master pads. The pads had a flat back and the shims were in a bag taped to the inside of the box (reason why I forgot them)

 

You had to go and pick 2 items I have never seen a review on!!!
Make sure the pads are bedded in properly
here is a good method proven to work, along with explanation of process as well as the procedure itself

http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/wp_bedinstock.shtml

 

Shims are for noise reduction purposes. If they don't make noise then, well, consider yourself lucky.

However, they have ZERO effect on braking performance/power. Many of the Euro cars don't have shimmed pads.

Any increased distance that would've otherwise been filled in by the shim would be compensated by the caliper piston.

 

Starting point of caliper changes respective to the stopping point (caliper that much closer to rotor when it starts to push and therefore will only retract respective to brake system.)
If this were not the case
A. the brake lining would only be about 1mm thick
B. the service interval of brakes would be about = to oil change!

 

Starting point of caliper changes respective to the stopping point (caliper that much closer to rotor when it starts to push and therefore will only retract respective to brake system design which is so close it looks like it touches.)
If this were not the case
A. the brake lining would only be about 1mm thick
B. the service interval of brakes would be about = to oil change interval!

But, I am sure that there is a benefit to the vibration dampening on your brake wear/longevity somehow.