Hot runner with removable gate pad

An injection molding machine comprises a manifold plate, a nozzle extending through the manifold plate, and a gate pad. A valve stem is disposed within the nozzle and is movable between a first position in which the valve stem extends through an outlet of the nozzle, and a retracted position. The gate pad has an inlet end with an inlet opening and an outlet end with a gate aperture. The inlet end is removably attachable to the manifold plate so that the nozzle is received through the inlet opening and the outlet of the nozzle is in communication with the gate aperture, wherein the valve stem seals the gate aperture in the extended position. The outlet end of the gate pad abuts a mold insert and molding material is delivered from the nozzle to a cavity defined by the mold insert through the gate aperture.