I think i know something about it.

The damper system pulls the brake pad back from the brake disc. This is something not that unimportant when it comes to brake wear and brake temperature.

Regards, Markus

that's odd. with track pads, where heating is most important, you can't even fit dampers. and porsche didn't use dampers on the early 986 - given that these are brembo brakes, porsche would have been crazy to remove the dampers from their cars if so important. ps, the dampers are not attached to the pistons, so unsure how the pistons pull the pads back.

they are for noise. i ran mintex pads w/o dampers and no squeal. now on pagid yellow and some squeal when cold but otherwise fine.

uh, there is no reason why the dampers would interfere with any pads. Track pads and street pads have the same basic dimensions. If you can't get your pads in, you are not pushing the pistons in enough. Maybe its a Canadian option???

The rear ones have spring clips that keep them in the pistons.

That being said, I too don't see how that would let the piston pull a pad away from the rotor.

Dampers, use them or not? Up to you. My feeling is they are there from the factory, so they have some value

pagid pads are a bit too thick to fit with dampers when new. bevel the front edge of the pad instead to reduce squeal.

Same with my carbotechs, too thick for dampers when new. The inner rubber caliper seal flexes when you apply the brakes and then unflexes and pulls back the piston slightly when released. Brembo has newer seals out now designed to enhance the piston retract. The rotor run out and wheel bearing play push the pad away but the pad is always very close. On the flip side, Some racers run springs behind their pistons to keep the brake pad more firmly pressed against the rotor between braking to prevent pad knockback. I'm not quite there yet :) I imagine this dies add some slight additional wear and heat...

You guys are correct about the dampers. Not needed as long as there isn't noise. They are a godsend when your pads doesn't match your driving and decide its time to scream.

Steve about the set of springs, that is interesting to consider. You could probably design around a very stiff spring that is "relaxed" so no force when the pad is in contact with the disc and would interact with the pad once it is kicked back. Then again, you will applying a minute amount of force during cornering on the working wheel, slowing it down, but not affect straight line speed. Or you could just left foot brake on the straight to see if your pedal is still there.

I will try to find the thread, it was a video of Leh Keen and he was left foot tapping the brake in a lot of places, and the reason was to get the pad on the rotor so that he would have a firm pedal at the next brake zone, instead of having to use up his brake travel getting the pads onto the rotor. It was very interesting.

Don't try this at an HDPE when people are around(you will freak them out.) . Try slightly tapping the brake with the left foot in large sweepers while adding more throttle. You get to a point where the car wants to break loose form all tires over just the fronts. Why not at HPDE? Because people freak out when they see brake lights.

We've used EBC orange stuff with OEM dampers and without any fitting problems. Personally i use Brembo HP 2000 with OEM dampers and any problems.

Correct. But what happens if the pad heats up? Look at the design - especially of the front dampers.

Regards, Markus