Bicycle Mechanics - changing brake pads

now this seemed like it would be an easy task. it looked like tetris.. remove the pin.. slide the old one out.. new one in.. add new pin.

what i did not expect is having to be hercules.

the pad had to be uber-forced into place even after lubricating the area with chain lube.. it would go most of the way, but getting it that little extra bit so the pin would go all the way through the pad..housing, and out the hole on the other side.. i don't know if that is the proper term for the thing the pad sits in.

so here's my questions..
1) did putting lube on that pad do something bad to the pad that might affect how the thing handles? right now the pads are replaced and they seem to be working well.. but perhaps there is something i'm not considering in the future.

2) am i missing a step somewhere? i read the instructions that came with the pads and they made it look like it was tetris... did not mention anything special to do..

and before anyone asks.. yes the left pad was on the left and the right pad was on the right.. and the front side was forward.

the guy at the LBS where i purchased the pads said they were the correct pads for the calipurs. both the pads and calipur are shimano, so it's not that i'm using a different brand and that's why it does not fit.

insight would be appreciated.. my front brake pads will need to be replaced within a hundred miles, and i'd perfer not to spend half an hour spouting expletives, trying to he-man the pad that last millimeter.. but if that is the only way to do it.....

thank you in advance for your assistance in what was the bane of my day.

Some brands are stiffer than others. Personally I'd keep lube well away from brake shoes, but providing you clean them off with detergent you should be okay. Try cleaning the pad carrier with detergent before inserting the new pads.

Changing cartiridge pads can be a real PIA. The pads are made to fit very snug so that there won't be any squealing from vibrations caused by a loose fitting pad. If you try to "push" the pads into the holder all you will be doing is compressing the rubber causing the pads to swell larger and make it more difficult to install. What I do is to "pull" the pads into the holder. I use a coin and slip into the front groove (XTR pads) and pull it in. If you have pads with grooves and try this but be careful not to use too much force as you might break a chunk of rubber off the pad; just slow, steady pressure. I wouldn't use any type of lube as it might get soaked into the pad material...maybe try using soap.

thank you for your suggestions. i will try both of those things.. hmmm..

i'll not change the 1 i used lube on unless it creates a problem.. will it likely start to squeak if the lube soaked into the rubber?

or does anyone think i should just change it out now? brake pads are not expensive.. but it really sucked getting it in there, i don't relish the idea of doing it again.