New pads on Shorty 4s..how to tighten???
 

I just got some new Kool Stop dual compound pads for my Avid Short 4 canti brakes. How the heck to you tighten the darn pads without loosing the adjustment (the toe-in especially). I've read the park tool site...I've tried the trick of using a thick rubber band to on the back of the pad to give just the right amount of toe-in. All seems to work fine until you actually try and tighten the darn post...the pad rotates, moves, DAMN! I thought I was trying to over-tighten so I left it mildly tight...no dice. First brake application - the pads move. Squeal city. Actually squeal then shudder-city.

Is there a tool or some trick that I'm missing???

I know the sqeal issue of shory 4s is discussed ad nauseum here. If you guys can help get the pad tightened...and there is still lots of squeal. I may ditch the avids. Hmm manybe time for a new front fork and a disc brake:rolleyes:

Baldanzi,

I had success by positioning the pad, then tightening the bolt halfway, so that the pad can still be turned by hand, but with obvious resistance. At this point, square up the pad again, and then tighten fully. This generally works.

Another way is to get your wife/friend/butler to hold the pads while you're doing it. It's called the third/fourth hand tool for the tool-impoverished.

I have resorted to tightening the brake cable adjuster half way. Loosen the bolt and adjust the pads tight against the rim with a shim (I use a washer taped to the rim) for the toe-in. I am able to hold the pad tight against the rim, perfectly aligned, with one hand and tighten the bolt with the other. If you have a third hand tool, you can hold both pads against the rim at the same time, but there isn't much room for the wrench. When you're done loosen the cable adjuster until you have the pads just the right distance from the rim. P.

It also helps to put a little grease on the bolt as well as the flat washer that goes between the nut and the first concave washer. This helps keep the pad from turning as you tighten it, but you still need to hold it steady (having someone squeeze hard on the brake lever works pretty well). Just don't get any grease on the braking surfaces.