u/Dear-Ad-9398

Wanted to change pads on this which I've never done before (2nd hand) and the front bottom slide pin was seized. Took a lot of heat to finally get it out. Then noticed the pin has a rubber boot towards the bottom end which I think was making it difficult to get out. How important is it to keep it on? I read it should be kept on but seem like a seizing problem waiting to happen.