I have a 2013 Honda Accord EX-L. I attempted to change my front brake pads but I ran into a problem. I bought the Duralast Gold brakes from Autozone which are supposed to be direct replacements but the brakes came with those little metal clips (retainer clips?) to replace the old ones. But the retainer clips look much different than the original ones on the car and when I try to pop them into place they just won't go into place cleanly. It's like they aren't even meant for that car because they look very different from the ones I have on the car from the factory and when I push them into place they aren't secure at all.

Also the pads are a bit different than the OEM ones. That little squared off groove on the bottom and top of the pads that fits into the retainer clips is much wider on the replacement pads and the pads themselves seem longer (higher) and so even if I don't use the replacement retainer clips and keep the original ones on the brakes now I can't seem to get the new pads in place. I tried for about 20 minutes and nothing.

I feel very stupid as I have never run into this issue before but I figured I would come on here and ask for any suggestions or if anyone has run into this before. I even watched a video on youtube of a guy changing out his pads but he doesn't run into the problem I am. Weird. Any ideas?

 

What piece doesn't fit in the link below? #11?

Honda Automotive Parts

Honestly, for the cost of OEM Pads, I don't know why you would even went with parts store junk.

 

In that photo - 011 (retainer) was different in the Duralast box than what was on my Accord. The retainers that came in the Duralast box did not fit like the ones on the Accord, they kept popping out of place. And then 008 (pad set front) the pad itself was just too tall and would not fit into the caliper housing.

So I guess my mistake was not buying Honda OEM parts. I just figured if Duralast says the brake pads will fit on my car - then they will fit. Are the parts on that link you sent Honda OEM parts? If so I will order from there. I don't mind paying the $42 for the OEM pads. But the retainers on that link are $4.50 per piece? And I need 4. $18 for 4 little retainers seems a bit much. Do I need replacement retainers or can I just clean the ones on the car?

Thank you.

 

Yes, as the website would imply, that is actually a dealership named Majestic Honda. It even says it up top and gives the location...

No, IMO the retainers don't need to be replaced everytime. If they still have spring to them and do what they are supposed to, then they are fine. Some may argue for the sake of "doing it right", but more times than not I absolutely don't spend the extra few minutes changing them out - time is money.

There are tons of times the parts are wrong from an aftermarket supplier... it's unfortunate, but it's what happens when you try to save money sometimes. No different than anything else. Just last weekend I bought some pads for a vehicle they made millions of that is 20 years old, and the pads were too big to fit. Went back to the store, pulled all of them off the shelf and they were all different sizes! Depends on quality control anymore I guess...

Good Luck!

 

I just purchased brake pads and retainer clips from that site you linked. Thanks for that. Figured I would do things right. Hopefully when they arrive it'll be the normal 20 minute brake pad replacement I am used to and not have to worry about dicking around with it not fitting.