Bicycle Mechanics - Replaceable Brake pads

I need new break pads on Precious. I went to the LBS and they told me I had to replace not just the pad but also the metal part attached to the pad (unfortunately I don't know the name of that part). I have a sneaking suspicion though that I can just replace the pad itself since they have little screws in the pads. I have Shimano 105 componets.

Can I just replace the pad (with no metal)?

Depending on the age of your brakes you either have a pad with an integral threaded post and nut or a threaded metal insert in the rubber pad. Either way you can replace them with the type that have the integral threaded post and nut, such as Kool Stop. They are not the type that used to be common on "English racers" that have a rubber block that just slips into a metal holder. That is probably what you are thinking about.

High end Campy and Shimano have replaceable rubber inserts in metal holders, which bolt onto the calipers.
Cheaper versions are available. I have some Fibrax ones. Im not sure how compatable they are, but Fibrax make inserts for most replacement systems.

http://bike.shimano.com/Road/105/ComponentTemplate.asp?partnumber=BR-5500

According to this link you should be able to replace just the pads

Thank you. I thought they should be replaceable.

Threadend, I did see that link but it is not obvious to me where it says that they are replaceable. I just did more investigation and I see it.