Any ill effects from removing spring pads?

[KenC]

When I installed my Bilsteins I removed all of the springs pads. Can this potentially cause any harm and/or excessive wear and tear?

[LikeCDoos]

everyone generally says no, but i have not done this myself

[nando]

not especially.. there is potential for rust but with all the rocks and mud that gets in there it probably doesn't matter. I haven't had pads on my car for well over a year now.

we don't live in the rust belt either, which is also a factor (I'd be more worried if they salted the roads here).

[Spaz]

take the front out, leave the back in, nothing will happen ken :P

[MR 325]

I've also heard it doesn't matter. When I get the new E30, because it will have the lower rear arches, I will be doing no pads in front and stock pads in the rear. On your car, leave them all out.

[Digitalwave]

They might make a little more noise (metal on metal) but if you can't stand that then you are a waffleswaffleswaffleswaffleswaffles bitch.

[BahnE30]

:stupid: waffleswaffleswaffleswaffleswaffles bitch..... :P

[Rob]

noise would only be from the rear anyway

[aaron_silva]

e30's arent quiet to begin with. waffleswaffleswaffleswaffleswaffles bitch. ;)

Aaron

[FrustratedMunky]

Why is it that people usually leave the stock pads in the rear and remove the ones in the front?

I just picked up my M3 springs for my 318IS and wondering if I should remove both the front and rears (considering I'm doing the swap nearly 100% for looks for the lower ride height). Coincidentally, the guy I bought the springs off of only have spring pads for the rear anyways. Is there any advantage to using the spring pads, other than less metal to metal contact (less rust)?