Stelrad radiators: blue pads

[F]

I have a couple of Stelrad radiators to fit and they have come with blue pads stuck on the brackets. Are these to be left on? Or are the U-shaped plastic inserts for the wall brackets to be used by themselves?

[dom]

Ah - I think you mean the blue plastic covers on the hooks on the back of the rads?

Throw them away.

[Roger Mills]

Agreed. Note that there should also be some little nylon items (2 per bracket) which push onto the brackets where the radiator will hang, and prevent metal to metal contact between bracket and rad. Don't throw

*those* away!

[Andrew Gabriel]

IME, within a few weeks the metal has cut right through them, and they might as well no longer be there.

[dom]

They reduce side-to-side movement, rather than act as a bearing.

[Tabby]

I gather they reduce noise, creaks etc. Even if worn through they should still have some effect. Not essential.

NT

[F]

Thanks.

I'll remove the blue pads and install the U-shaped plastic inserts: they've worked well on other radiators I've installed.

I had wondered if the blue pads were additional noise and movement reduction measures!

[Roger Mills]

You must be pretty rough with yours - mine are still going strong after several years!