Can't Push In Brake Pads

[TunaAndBikes]

Got some Swiss Stop Blue pads for my canti brakes to improve braking in the wet.

Came around to installing them on shimano shoes (the ones that come with BR-CX70) and they're impossible to fit on completely.

With all my strength (however little there is... ) I could push them in quite a lot, but there was still about 1/8 inch in the end of the pads.

Any tricks or am I doing something wrong?

[dem]

I've not seen this issue with Shimano (BXP Flash) shoes.. you sure you didn't buy Campy shoes (BXP RacePro) and are trying to cram them into the wrong shoes? The lip is a different shape.

Assuming you have the right ones, hit them with a heat gun/hair dryer, get 'em nice and hot and quickly push them in.

[unterhausen]

do you have a vise?

Alternatively, put them on the bike and go down a hill and brake at speed. Just don't have the brakes engaged when you move the bike backwards, they'll come right out

[stien]

I recently had to use a small rubber mallet to get mine all the way in.

[TunaAndBikes]

Originally Posted by dem

I've not seen this issue with Shimano (BXP Flash) shoes.. you sure you didn't buy Campy shoes (BXP RacePro) and are trying to cram them into the wrong shoes? The lip is a different shape.

Assuming you have the right ones, hit them with a heat gun/hair dryer, get 'em nice and hot and quickly push them in.

I've got the flash evo for " wide rims/integrated brakes " because that's all the shop had at the time, but I don't feel like it should change anything to the shape of the pad itself right?

[dem]

Originally Posted by TunaAndBikes

I've got the flash evo for " wide rims/integrated brakes " because that's all the shop had at the time, but I don't feel like it should change anything to the shape of the pad itself right?

Not familiar with those, but shouldn't matter for the shoe interface. Try the hair dryer thing - betchya they slide right in.

[Mark McM]

If you can't push them, try pulling them.

Pushing rubber pads cause them to get shorter and fatter, so they want to get stuck in the holders. Pulling rubber pads cause them to longer and thinner. Try grabbing the front of the pads and pulling them into the holder, instead of pushing them in from the back.

Alternately, the suggestion to apply the brakes while riding will may work. Pulse the brakes so can "wiggle" their way in.

[Lewis Moon]

One thing I have done is "pull" them in with a good set of needle nosed pliers. When you push, the rubber expands at the constriction. Pulling prevents that.
Edit to say I was too slow...

[TunaAndBikes]

Originally Posted by Lewis Moon

One thing I have done is "pull" them in with a good set of needle nosed pliers. When you push, the rubber expands at the constriction. Pulling prevents that.
Edit to say I was too slow...

FWIW I think you're just fast enough
I'll try this evening before going to the shop

[bart998]

Trick from installing grips... lube 'em up with hairspray then push them in. The hairspray will dry sticky and they won't move.

[Calnago]

Or isopropyl alcohol. Just pour a little on the pads and the holders and slide ‘em in. Evaporates quickly leaving no residue. You don’t want any soap (yeah I used soapy water before) or sticky stuff around your brake pads. Rubbing alcohol seems to work best for me.

[Veloo]

Originally Posted by Calnago

Or isopropyl alcohol. Just pour a little on the pads and the holders and slide ‘em in. Evaporates quickly leaving no residue. You don’t want any soap (yeah I used soapy water before) or sticky stuff around your brake pads. Rubbing alcohol seems to work best for me.

This worked for me when installing the BXP pads onto my athena brakes.

[benb]

Make sure the holders are clean too before trying to put the new ones in.

Particularly on bikes that get dirty I've seen it be very hard to get even the OEM shimano ones in.

I usually clean with alcohol, so it has the double effect of cleaning + doing the evaporating lubricant as well.

[OtayBW]

Originally Posted by Calnago

Or isopropyl alcohol. Just pour a little on the pads and the holders and slide ‘em in. Evaporates quickly leaving no residue. You don’t want any soap (yeah I used soapy water before) or sticky stuff around your brake pads. Rubbing alcohol seems to work best for me.

Ding, ding, ding! I like this...