Hi there! Sorry that I don't quite understand what you mean. I bought the new front pads from BMW, so they are original BMW pads, not anything aftermarket. I am not sure if the original pads are incorporated with anti-squeal mechanism on the inner pad. I just installed the inner pads onto the calipers by clipping them in.

Thanks for your comment. I don't think the brake fluid did touch paint of the surface of the car, it just flowed directly to the ground from the container in the engine compartment. There is no paint inside the compartment, is there?

Not all OEM pads are the same and the design changes often. The directional comment in the TIS has nothing to do with performance - it refers only to the anti-squeal spring arrangement. If the pads you got from the dealer had no anti-squeal spring, then it makes no difference which way they are installed. :thumbup:

Thanks for your explanation! I am using the OEM with part number 34112180420, which contains the front brake pad set 34116761282 and the wear sensor 34351165579. I ordered them from local BMW dealer. Below attached is the picture of the pads, can you please tell if it has anti-squeal spring?

Your pads have the anti vibration materials already added to the back of the pad (the side that sits om the caliper piston. The anti rattle clips are the metal parts shown below. You can reuse the ones you have if they are in good shape. They are unique only to rear vs fronts. They are interchangeable left to right on the same axle.

helpful?

I used the term "anti-squeal" as a generic description of the retaining/locating springs built onto the rear of the inner pads, since it seemed that you aren't familiar with disc brake components. Strictly speaking, as StephanVA has pointed out, these clips aren't really anti-squeal springs, although they do also perform this function.

The pads with the shiny metal three-legged metal bits on the back should be installed on the inside of each calliper, against the piston. The pad without the extra metal bits on the back should be installed on the outer side of the calliper. This is per the BMW TIS you originally referenced.

If you did it the other way around, I doubt it will make too much difference. Your brakes may squeal a little as they get older but they can do that for all sorts or reasons.

HTH...

I know that the pad with metal clip is for inner side on the piston. My question is that if the pad with clips is directional. Meaning if they are designed for left side and right side respectively? Since I did not pay attention on the directional issue when I was installing the pads, I just want to make sure that what I have done is fine.

Now what I got from you guys is that the inner pads with metal clip are not directional and they can be installed on left side or right side, the two pads with metal clip are identical. Do I understand correctly?

AFAIK, the inner pads with the extra clip are NOT NORMALLY directional - they can be fitted either left or right side.

BUT, there are always exceptions to any rule and it's possible that some pads are marked for left and right side use - VW use this system on some pads and I guess from your BMW TIS that BMW sometimes do so to.

If you are really worried about either check the backing plate on the old pads or remove one of the new ones and check it for direction marks.

*edit* Here's some BMW pads that DO have the directional markings...

http://img2.cn.china.cn/0/3_513_91274_800_600.jpg

BTW, the arrow points to the front of the vehicle and not the direction of disc rotation.

Thanks a lot for the explanation. Then I believe that the pads I used are not directional as the picture of the pads I attached above does not show the arrow and "R"/"L" marks.

Thanks for all of you again. Your inputs are very useful and informative!