My mistake, wasn't trying to sound like I was blaming them. When I pull the lever and the pads have hit the rim I can keep pulling the lever. The pads hit the rim with the lever about half way down, but then i can pull it to the handle bars. i can't have the pads completely 2mm away from the rim because it's a bit buckled, I'd say about 3 to 5mm away from the rim. Thanks for all the help