Brake Pad Retaining Pins: Why You Should Replace Them When Fitting New Disc Brake Pads
When most riders replace their bicycle disc brake pads, they focus on the compound, braking power and bedding-in process. But there is one small part that often gets ignored: the brake pad retaining pin.
A brake pad retaining pin holds the brake pads securely inside the caliper. If the pin is rusty, rounded, bent, seized or missing its safety clip, it can make pad changes harder and leave your brake hardware in poor condition.
At Gorilla Brakes, we now stock replacement brake pad retaining pin kits for selected Shimano, SRAM, Magura, Hope, Hayes, Formula and Avid disc brake calipers. These kits are designed to be fitted when replacing your brake pads, giving your brakes a cleaner, safer and more professional hardware refresh.
What Are Brake Pad Retaining Pins?
Brake pad retaining pins are the small pins, bolts or axles that pass through the brake caliper and brake pads to hold the pads in place. Many systems also use a small safety clip to help stop the pin from backing out.
They do not increase braking power, change pad compound performance or make your brakes more powerful. Their job is simple but important: they help keep the brake pads secure inside the caliper.
Why Replace Brake Pad Retaining Pins?
You should consider replacing your brake pad retaining pins if:
- The original pin is rusty or corroded
- The head is rounded or damaged
- The pin is bent or seized
- The safety clip is missing
- The pin is difficult to remove during a pad change
- You are fitting new pads and want a full brake hardware refresh
This is especially important for riders using bikes in wet UK conditions, winter road salt, muddy MTB trails, e-bike riding, bike parks, downhill tracks and high-mileage gravel or road use.
Are Brake Pad Retaining Pins Universal?
No. Brake pad retaining pins are not universal. Different brake brands and caliper models use different pin sizes, thread styles, safety clips and pad retention systems.
Before ordering, always check your brake caliper model. The model number is usually printed or stamped on the brake caliper body.
Find the Correct Brake Pad Retaining Pin Kit
Use the guide below to find the correct retaining pin kit for your brake model.
SRAM Level, Road, Gravel and Avid Elixir Retaining Pins
For selected SRAM Level 2-piston, SRAM RED, Force, Rival, Apex, DB5, VIA GT, X0, XX, XX World Cup and Avid Elixir / DB brake calipers, use the SRAM Level / RED / Force / Rival / Apex / Avid Elixir Brake Pad Retaining Pin Kit.
Best for: SRAM road, gravel, XC, trail and selected Avid brake systems.
Magura MT5 and MT7 4-Piston Retaining Pins
For Magura MT5, MT5E, MT5 eSTOP, MT7, MT7 Pro and selected Magura MT Trail 4-piston front calipers, use the Magura MT5 / MT7 4-Piston Brake Pad Retaining Pin Kit.
Best for: e-MTB, enduro, downhill, trail and Magura 4-piston brake setups.
SRAM Code, DB, G2 RE, Guide RE and Motive Retaining Pins
For SRAM DB8, DB6, DB4, Code, Code R, Code RSC, Code Stealth, G2 RE, Guide RE and Motive brakes, use the SRAM Code / DB / G2 RE / Guide RE / Motive Brake Pad Retaining Pin Kit.
Best for: SRAM 4-piston enduro, downhill, trail and e-bike brake systems.
Shimano Road, Gravel and Flat-Mount Retaining Pins
For selected Shimano road, gravel and flat-mount calipers including Shimano 105 Di2, GRX, Ultegra Di2, Dura-Ace Di2, Tiagra, XTR flat-mount, XT flat-mount, SLX flat-mount, BR-RS405 and BR-RS785, use the Shimano Road / Gravel Flat-Mount Brake Pad Retaining Pin Kit.
Best for: Shimano road, gravel, cyclocross and flat-mount disc brake systems.
Hayes Dominion Retaining Pins
For Hayes Dominion A4, T4, A4-SRL, A2, T2 and A2-SRL brake calipers, use the Hayes Dominion Brake Pad Retaining Pin Kit.
Best for: Hayes Dominion 2-piston and 4-piston trail, all-mountain, enduro and downhill brake calipers.
Formula Cura 2 and Cura 4 Retaining Pins
For Formula Cura 2 and Formula Cura 4 disc brake calipers, use the Formula Cura 2 / Cura 4 Brake Pad Retaining Pin Kit.
Best for: Formula Cura 2-piston and Cura 4-piston MTB, trail and enduro brake setups.
Shimano 4-Piston MTB and E-Bike Retaining Pins
For selected Shimano 4-piston MTB and e-bike calipers including XTR BR-M9120 / BR-M9220, XT BR-M8120 / BR-M8220, SLX BR-M7120, Deore BR-M6120, BR-MT520, BR-MT420, Saint BR-M820, ZEE BR-M640, Metrea BR-U8020 and CUES BR-U8020, use the Shimano 4-Piston MTB / E-Bike Brake Pad Retaining Pin Kit.
Best for: Shimano enduro, downhill, trail, e-bike and 4-piston MTB brake systems.
SRAM Maven Retaining Pins
For SRAM Maven Silver, Maven Bronze and Maven Ultimate brake calipers, use the SRAM Maven Brake Pad Retaining Pin Kit.
Best for: SRAM Maven high-power MTB, e-bike, enduro and downhill brake systems.
Shimano MTB 2-Piston Retaining Pins
For selected Shimano 2-piston calipers including Deore, SLX, XT, XTR, BR-M615, BR-M666, BR-M675, BR-M785, BR-M6000, BR-M7000, BR-M7100, BR-M8000, BR-M8100, BR-M9000 and BR-M9020, use the Shimano MTB 2-Piston Brake Pad Retaining Pin Kit.
Best for: Shimano 2-piston MTB, XC, trail, road and cyclocross brake systems.
Hope E4, V4, RX4, GR4 and TR4 Retaining Pins
For Hope brakes using the HBSP204-style brake pad retaining pin, including Hope E4, V4, RX4, GR4 and TR4 calipers, use the Hope E4 / V4 / RX4 / GR4 / TR4 HBSP204 Brake Pad Retaining Pin Kit.
Best for: Hope MTB, road, gravel, enduro, e-bike and downhill brake systems using the HBSP204-style pin.
SRAM G2, Guide and Level Stealth 4-Piston Retaining Pins
For SRAM G2 R, G2 RS, G2 RSC, Guide R, Guide RS, Guide RSC, Guide T and SRAM Level Stealth 4-piston calipers, use the SRAM G2 / Guide / Level Stealth Brake Pad Retaining Pin Kit.
Best for: SRAM medium-fit trail, all-mountain and 4-piston MTB brake systems.
Should You Replace Retaining Pins Every Time You Change Brake Pads?
Not always. If your current retaining pins are clean, straight, easy to remove and the safety clips are secure, they can usually be reused.
However, if the pin is rusty, rounded, seized, bent or missing the clip, it is worth replacing. A new pad change is the ideal time to refresh the small hardware around the caliper.
Do Brake Pad Retaining Pins Improve Braking Power?
No. Brake pad retaining pins do not increase braking power or change the feel of your brake compound. Braking performance comes from the brake pads, rotor condition, hydraulic system, caliper alignment, piston movement and bedding-in process.
The retaining pin’s job is to hold the pads securely in place. Think of it as a small but important part of a clean brake service.
What Comes in a Gorilla Brakes Retaining Pin Kit?
Each retaining pin kit includes:
- 2 x stainless steel brake pad retaining pins
- 2 x safety retaining clips
Always check the individual product listing for the exact compatibility before ordering.
Final Advice Before Ordering
Before buying a replacement brake pad retaining pin kit, check your caliper model carefully. Shimano, SRAM, Magura, Hope, Hayes, Formula and Avid all use different brake pad shapes and retaining pin styles across different calipers.
If you are already replacing your brake pads, adding the correct retaining pin kit is a simple way to avoid rusty, rounded or seized hardware causing problems later.
Explore all Gorilla Brakes replacement retaining pin kits here: Brake Pad Retaining Pins & Hardware.
FAQs
What are brake pad retaining pins?
Brake pad retaining pins are the small pins or bolts that hold bicycle disc brake pads securely inside the caliper. Many brake systems also use a safety clip to help stop the pin from backing out.
Are brake pad retaining pins universal?
No. Brake pad retaining pins are not universal. Different Shimano, SRAM, Magura, Hope, Hayes, Formula and Avid brake calipers can use different retaining pin sizes and clip styles.
When should I replace brake pad retaining pins?
Replace brake pad retaining pins if they are rusty, rounded, bent, seized, damaged or missing the safety clips. It is a good idea to check them whenever you fit new brake pads.
Do retaining pins make brakes more powerful?
No. Retaining pins do not improve braking power or change brake pad performance. Their job is to hold the pads securely inside the caliper.
Can I fit retaining pins myself?
Most retaining pins can be replaced during a normal brake pad change. Always check the brake manufacturer’s setup, make sure the pads are seated correctly and keep grease or anti-seize away from the brake pad friction material and rotor.