A picture is worth a thousand words: Thank you Erling for showing it so perfectly.

There should be one clip, exactly as shown, on the pin in the narrow space between the pad backing and the caliper body.

It's supposed to be a little spring clip. It can be replaced with a small cotter pin or anything that will stay securely in the hole. The spring clip is there for convenience of installation and removal (though sometimes they are NOT very cooperative).

I would not suggest leaving the part out- while I've never seen the pins fall out, and found many cars where one or both are missing or bent, I will not screw around when it comes to brakes- they are simply too important to your safety and those around you.

Find a clip and install it. I find it easiest to observe the orientation of the hole in the pin, drive the pin in, and then just pop the clip into place.

The two pad retaining springs have to be hooked on before the second pin is pushed into the pads which complicates things just a little bit.

Good luck with it!
Good luck with it!
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::: Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: 92 244 M47 211K ::: 90 745GL M47 273K ::: 88 245DL AW70 190K ::: 84 242DL Project ::: 70 VW Bus ::: 70 VW Pickup Project ::: 71 VW Notchback :::