Anyone know of an alternative to the snap rings on Shimano XT disc brake pad retaining pins? Had a look on various fastener websites.Nearest I can find are what are described as r clips,but can`t find any small enough. The Shimano ones are 12mm long.

Shimano ones are a rip off at £2 each……….

Could use a split pin instead of the pin & clip, like the SLX does. Or have I missed the point completely….?

Thanks will go see what I can find in Halfords.

I use the rubber o-rings (donuts) that go on gear cables.

Assuming you mean:

One of these

Have you ever had a pad retaining bolt come loose? No me neither. I’ve not had those little clips on since the first time I took the bolt out and the clip sprung off and I didn’t bother putting it back on.

Have you ever had a pad retaining bolt come loose?

Yep, in the Alps. And the pads bounced out. Had to bodge a cable tie to hold them in the rest of the trip.

Probably not an issue,but I regard it as cheap insurance against me absent midedly failing to tighten the retaining pin!

Dez B,Yep that one.

r clips

Found these on ebay: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SMALL-R-clips-1mm-x-16mm-pack-8-LP10-/290612110081?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item43a9d4e301

A tad longer,slightly thicker but look like they might do the trick.