When fitting new disc brake pads, the hardware that secures and guides them is just as important as the friction material itself. The Accessory Kit for disc brake pads contains the components that are typically worn or corroded by the time the pads themselves are due for replacement: anti-squeal shims that isolate pad backing plates from the calliper, sliding springs or retaining clips that hold the pads in position, and in some designs the guide pins or pad support brackets that ensure smooth, parallel movement against the disc. Neglecting to replace these items means new pads inherit the restrictions of old hardware — stiff or corroded clips can cause uneven pad contact, leading to one pad face wearing faster than the other and producing the same judder or pulling sensation that prompted the brake job in the first place. TRW and Quick Brake are well-regarded suppliers of accessory kits, with catalogues spanning Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Peugeot, Opel, and BMW applications. OE numbers matter here because clip geometry, shim thickness, and spring preload are calibrated to the specific calliper design — a kit from the wrong application may not seat correctly and can introduce noise or brake imbalance. Most professional workshops include the accessory kit automatically when quoting a pad replacement, as it represents a small fraction of overall job cost.
Accessory kits are calliper-specific: the clip geometry, shim profile, and spring dimensions are designed for a precise calliper body and pad backing plate combination. Each listing on this page maps TecDoc OE numbers to exact vehicle applications. Cross-reference using your make, model, engine, and build year. Where pads and an accessory kit are sold separately, confirm they share the same OE brake system reference — mixing hardware from different calliper generations can result in clips that do not seat fully, introducing brake noise or uneven wear.
It is strongly recommended. Anti-squeal shims lose their damping properties with heat cycles, retaining clips corrode and lose spring tension, and guide surfaces wear flat over time. None of these deteriorations are visible from outside the calliper without disassembly. Fitting new pads against worn hardware is the single most common cause of brake squeal after a pad change — a noise that typically returns within a few thousand miles and requires the job to be repeated with correct hardware.
OEM kits are manufactured by the calliper supplier — typically TRW, ATE, or Brembo — to the exact tolerances required for that calliper family. Quality aftermarket kits from brands such as Quick Brake or APEC use the same clip metallurgy and shim materials and carry the correct OE references. Low-cost alternatives may use thinner stampings or softer metals that deform under the clamping loads of the calliper, causing noise, stick-slip, or premature corrosion in wet climates.
A high-pitched squeal when braking, particularly when cold, usually points to worn or missing anti-squeal shims rather than the pads themselves. A pad that has worn visibly faster on one side of the disc than the other, or a calliper that does not release cleanly after pressure is removed, often traces back to a corroded retaining clip restricting pad movement. If removing the old pads reveals clips that are bent, rusted solid, or missing, the accessory kit has reached the end of its serviceable life regardless of how new the pads look.
Showing 100 of 2,815 Disc brake pad accessory kit OE numbers. Enter the OE on the main OE search to jump to any reference.
