I strongly disagree, they put the pads there for a reason, the main one being, they keep the axle where it's supposed to be and they also reduce axle wrap on hard acceleration...take them out and stomp the gas, bet you feel and hear the difference. I know, my bird had lost the originals at some point and when I replaced them (with rubber) solved both problems. But I guess "problems" can be very subjective. I'd keep them.