Please correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the function of the retaining clips/springs to keep the pads in position just next to the rotor to act as a self-adjustment feature & also to provide pad-to-rotor wiping action (static; no pressure) for better braking in wet weather???
My recollection of history may be faulty, but didn't Jaguar have a problem with vehicles not being able to stop in wet weather when they first introduced disc brakes on production cars? I think that the fix was the addition of retaining clips as a cure....maybe a change in pad compound??
My $00.02....
