Went to change pads today and managed with one single turn, and very little effort, to round the bloody head of the pad retaining bolt on my avid elixirs.
Tried a number of different allen key sets...but to no avail.
Am I f***ed? Any tips!?
Apart from bin them because they're avids, obviously (which I would if I were a little more flush right now!)
I've done that - managed to undo it just by gripping it with a pair of pliers - have you tried that?
Find a torx of similar size. Insert and it will hold, allowing you to loosen.
yeah.....won't budge!
Easy... File or cut a slot in the head and use a flat head screwdriver. Had tondo this about a million times not only on avids but shimano and hope too.
Stupid soft alloy pins are the problem. Rounded them off before. Above tips are the usual way of getting them out. I've also has the head snap off and had to get it drilled out.
Solution 1...
Don't tighten them beyond barely finger tight. So long as the retaining clip is on the other side it won't come out and doesn't matter if it's loose.
Better...
Bin the pins and use split pins. Way better and easier to get hold of.