Apparatus and methods are provided for assisting in mounting a wear pad to a drilling machine. A gib is split longitudinally into at least first and second portions creating a channel for receiving the wear pad. A portion of the wear pad may include a tenon, such as a dovetail, corresponding to the channel, or mortise. A fastener may be used to fasten the first and second portions of the gib together. In this configuration, the wear pad may be removed in a longitudinal direction or otherwise by separating the first and second portions of the gib.