I have Elixers R SL's which are tweaked by Specialized. I had issues with them after ride #5. For 4 rides they were perfect then coming down this hill they started grinding like hell. Like the pads were gone. That started a year of helping Specialize sort out the issue. At one point they thought it was the frame and were going to send me a new one. Till I talked to Trek and Jamis owners and they had the exact same issues.

Some guys solved it by using a Shimano rotor...Avid had a TSB on them replacing the rotors....then the pads...having the dealer do this 30 minute breakin. I'm thinking this stuff is not very well tested out before its released.
Then in total frustration they replaced the whole brake system which I passed on as by then I learned to live with it. I did narrow it down to the rotor design and I designed my own and had my shop punch out some stainless steel ones. That helped a lot but they weren't coated so they squealed abit. I ride with turkey hunters and that's the last thing you want to have going on!

I find mine very powerful even down real steep big hills...so leaving them on though I'm sure like yours others hate them.

>>never even attempt to work on my fork-i <<

Rock Shox had excellent Utube videos on doing it. And thank god they did as I'd NEVER EVER beat on those bottom rods like that to pop them free from the outer tubes!! Scared me silly doing it but it worked.