Quieter brakes with a smarter design

Small details can make a big difference - especially when they solve a big problem.

Take the shim, for example. It’s a thin layer of material on the back of a brake pad, designed to dampen vibrations and reduce brake noise. Often overlooked, this simple component plays a crucial role in driving comfort. When it’s missing or poorly designed, the results are anything but subtle: annoying squeals, frustrated drivers, and repeated garage visits.

That’s exactly what we were hearing from the field - especially with some Original Equipment (OE) brake pad applications common in Asian vehicles. Despite meeting OE standards, several of these pads were generating high-pitched squeals due to the lack of a shim. Technicians were left trying to fix a noise issue that shouldn’t have existed in the first place.

So, we decided not just to meet the OE spec - but to raise the bar.

The problem with OEbrake pads - and how Delphi solved it

Brake noise is one of the top complaints from drivers and technicians. It’s usually caused by vibrations between the brake pad and the caliper, which produce that all-too-familiar squeal under light or moderate braking.

In some OE applications, brake pads are delivered without a shim. This oversight led to a high volume of customer complaints, returns, and garage comebacks.

At Delphi, we took that feedback seriously. Our engineers traced the root cause to the shim - or the absence of it - and acted quickly. The result: we upgraded eight high-demand part numbers to include a premium-quality shim as standard. No additional purchases. No technician improvisation. Just a smarter part, ready to install right out of the box.

With this improvement, technicians can now offer:

• Quieter braking performance
• Simplified installation
• Improved customer satisfaction
• Fewer comebacks and complaints

Designed for real-world repairs

We don’t just follow OE standards - we challenge them when they fall short. The upgraded shims aren’t just an extra layer. They’re precision-engineered components that enhance performance and help technicians get the job done right the first time.

And they form the first layer in Delphi’s proven five-layer pad build:

The shim. It’s the secret to quiet brakes with advanced noise dampening.
The backplate. Made from high-strength pressed steel, it ensures precise fitting to OE specs.
The under layer. 3mm thick, it’s a thermal insulator that reduces the caliper temperature.
The friction material. Tested to meet the needs of each vehicle class, this is made of 130 ingredients and has 40 formulations available.
The friction surface. OE-configured chamfer and slots shorten bedding in and reduce noise.

By integrating a premium shim, we’ve turned a common OE weakness into a Delphi strength - one more reason installers trust our range.

Eight upgraded references. Millions of quieter journeys.

We’ve now upgraded eight of our most popular brake pad references:

LP809 - HONDA Civic
LP789 - TOYOTA Corolla, RAV 4
LP3144 - NISSAN Qashqai, RENAULT Kadjar
LP2003 - LEXUS HS 250h, TOYOTA Prius, Corolla, RAV 4
LP2031 - NISSAN Juke, Qashqai, X-Trail
LP3145 - NISSAN Juke, Qashqai, X-Trail
LP1632 - TOYOTA RAV 4
LP2664 - SUZUKI SX4, Vitara

Together, these part numbers cover over 10 million vehicles across EMEA. The upgraded stock has been rolling out since Q2 2024, and all inventory has now been updated.

The Delphi Difference

Fixing problems is just how we work. We innovate and engineer to give installers a better part from the very beginning.

Now, drivers can enjoy less noise and better performance. Mission accomplished.