Originally Posted by
ypsetihw
get someone else to give you a second pair of hands, or hold the caliper closed with a heavy duty rubber band or strap, then your hands are free to tension the cable and tighten the nut. if it "pops" when you test the brake, you probably aren't tightening the clamp nut enough.
"Third Hand Tools" are made to do just what your describe, hold the pads hard against the rim while the mechanic pulls on the cable and tightens the clamping bolt. A "Fourth Hand Tool" actually tensions the cable while the bolt is tightened.