XJ550 Front Brake Pad Replacement Issue

I am in the process of refurbishing my front brake caliper. The old pads fell out easily, but I am having a hard time getting the brake pad retaining pin into the the holes of the new pads - specifically the first one on the piston side. They are EBC pads. Seems like I can’t push them down far enough for the pin to easily slip through the pad holes. Is it ok to do a bit of filing on these?

 

Sometimes the paint on new pads make the hole smaller. Yes by all means a small round file to enlarge the hole.

But double check the pads with original ones to see if there is any glaring difference that will cause the problem.

 

The holes are large enough. They just don’t want to go in deep enough for the pin to engage the holes. I chucked out the old ones a while back.

 

the holes for a set of 550 brake pads need to be opened/ovaled to allow pin to go through.
you can read about it in the xj4ever catalog. unless you got oem pads

3 xj550s 3 sets of pads needing enlargment



HCP1705 Aftermarket standard organic front DISC BRAKE PADS SET, enough to do one front caliper. No wear-limit groove. NOTE: pad retaining pin hole may need a slight amount of filing or reaming for a perfect fit. Fits all XJ550 models, 1981-83 XJ750 Seca, XJ750 Euro, models, XJ1100 front calipers, and 1981 XS1100 Midnight Special front calipers. Each set:

 

That explains it. Filed it out a bit and fits!