Front brake pad alignment problem

What is your question?

I'm replacing front pads on my 97 Mercury Mystique, what should be a simple job. Have the caliper off, pressed in the cylinder and installed the inner pad, no problem. Then when trying to install the outer pad, it would not push into place and bottom against the caliper wall. It is cocked at an angle. Tried the other pad and had the same issue. With this style of pad, the metal has tabs which slide in cut out slots in the caliper. The metal also has a round section in the middle which appears to bind preventing it from lying flush. Is some filing necessary for it to fit? Or should I try clamping it into place? There is also a brake shoe lining clip which is merely a shaped wire which doesn't touch or attach to the pad or do anything? Can't figure out it's purpose? Thank you, Brad