Campag Brake Blocks

[Forbes]

This is a really stupid question, but, does anyone have any advice on getting used Campag brake pads out of the blocks? I've been trying with brute force, levering it with screwdrivers, etc... do I just need to put more effort into it, or is there some technique I'm missing?

Any advice gratefully recieved
Alex

[Tony]

Done it once before and struggled big time too.....

From what I remember - the brake block has a bolt sticking out the back of it (i.e. the bolt that you use to secure it to the caliper). If you push that bolt 'inwwards', I think it actually pushes on the the inside of the pad and helps to loosen the pad very slightly from the block (NB: It is only loosens it a bit - it's not a golden bullet!). Then with a pair of pliers (or even two pairs) and a bit of swearing you should be able to get the pad to slide out of the block.

You then have the joys of getting the new pad in place - which is not a lot easier in my experience. I used some fairy liquid and also made my hands very tired in the process.... I may even have resorted to using a vice - I can't honestly remember. But with some perseverence I eventually got there.

[-Adam-]

sh1t

Offensive language removed by moderator

[Andrew G]

A nightmare, but I think all removable pads will be tricky, after all you don't want them coming loose.

I just use the other all-in-one type now, so much easier and they still stop you quickly with a dual pivot caliper.

[Jon H]

I find replacing the pads in my Shimano brakes really quite easy

[Andrew G]

Alex,

When I did wrestle mine out it was just as much fun getting the new ones in .
GB's were doing the old style Xenon and Mirage calipers complete with the all-in-one type pads for £14 and £17 to shift old stock. They are perfectly good calipers and with this deal they work out cheaper than just buying the blocks. If they've got any left I'd grab a set and then you've got a spare set of calipers for later too.

[Jim B]

I clamped the pad itself lengthways into the vice. Nip it up a little and it will make the blocks slightly narrower and ease them away from the side of the shoe.
Do the same thing for getting it back in. Might also be worth sticking the new pads in the freezer first to see if it shrinks them slightly. Still a sod of a job though.

[-Adam-]

[quote="Jon Hemming"]I find replacing the pads in my Shimano brakes really quite easy

[Steve B]

I find the Shimano pads really hard to remove. I mean, I have to actually pick up and use an allen key to undo the grub screw, and then I have to physically (with at least 1 or 2 fingers) slide the block out without hardly any force at all. It's a nightmare

[-Adam-]

[quote="-Adam-"][campag] sh1t

Offensive language removed by moderator

[Ivor]

[quote="Steve B"]I find the Shimano pads really hard to remove. I mean, I have to actually pick up and use an allen key to undo the grub screw, and then I have to physically (with at least 1 or 2 fingers) slide the block out without hardly any force at all. It's a nightmare

[Ivor]

[quote="-Adam-"]Whatever happened to free speech!?
Or did the mafia hack in and stop me slurring a world famous Italian brand name?

[-Adam-]

Oh I see, how foolish of me to even question that!

[Andrew G]

[Ivor]