I installed some avid sd5 v brakes on my bike friday. Nice brakes. But - using the supplied noodle, when the brake is adjusted the way I like it (nice snug pull) I can't release the quick release. The noodle barrel that is to the right of the slot is too wide to pull through the bracket opening, and I don't have enough slack to pull the noodle back to the end of the barrel that extends from the noodle no matter how much I squeeze. Hope that makes sense.
On my old v brakes, the barrel that extended from the noodle was narrower and also shorter so I had no issues, but Avid says only use their noodle.
Any problem with just spreading the opening on the slot a bit more or will that cause it to pop out unexpectedly? Or is there another fix? I don't want to loosen the cable to where I can release the qr noodle because then the brakes are too loose. If it matters, I have koolstop salmon pads on instead of the avid pads.
Pads are properly toed (use a biz card) and arm leverage is balanced using the tiny screws.
Thanks in advance....

did you change out the levers too, maybe?

and DON'T open up the noodle stop, please... if the noodle is near to coming out when you try, the pads will seat in some, and you might then be able to remove the noodle...

is the nose of the noodle a bit longer on the Avid ones? not sure exactly why the directions call for only the avids... other than quality of materials, i'd see no issue with installing the old ones...

Levers are coming next week, using my Tektro levers for now.

I've mixed and replaced noodles with happy abandon for decades w/o anything bad happening b/c of that.
Widening the stirrup has far more potential for misery.

Loosening the cable just a tiny bit still doesn't allow you to release the quick release?

I have to loosen it about a quarter inch before I can slip the noodle out. Then the brakes are way too loose. Normally I like my brakes to just be a biz card width from the rims, but no way I can do that and still get the wheel off with the qr. I've never had Avid brakes before, don't know if it is something peculiar to them or if the levers will make a difference when I get them. And my kool stop pads are not new; would be worse if they were.
Wouldn't care that much since I don't often get flats but I do swap out my front wheel for a e-hub a couple times a month.

If you hunt around you will be able to find linear pull brake noodles that have a barrel adjuster.

I'm thinking that those brakes may not be the best choice for someone who likes so little throw to their lever engagement. Are your levers the wrong type perhaps?

I have Avid SDs on two bikes but have the pads adjusted much further than the thickness of a business card.
Hope the new levers (avid?) work out for you - mine are Tektro.

I'm hoping with the adjustability of the new levers (SD7), that I can move the pads out a little and dial in the same "feel" on the levers. Wish me luck.

the "business card " thing is to set pad toe-in, not free clearance.

So the Avid speed dial 7 levers came and I installed them. What a difference! Somehow the settings on the Avids allow me to have more cable left over on the brake side, and because the avids easily let me adjust modulation, I'm able to leave enough slack to remove the front wheel. I also love the ability to dial differently on the rear and front wheel brakes so the front doesn't lock up but the levers feel the same. My tektro levers required 3 fingers and these work with just one - have to use my middle finger because my hands are very small and the adjusting screw can only do so much. But the FEEL and the stopping ability of these brakes is everything people have said! +1 for my koolstops (gave the avid pads to my son for his bike). I just did 20 miles and I was looking forward to stopping, lol. Thanks for all the suggestions - I was going to get that adjustable noodle if this didn't work (never heard of an adjustable noodle before).