This photo was sent in by Stuart Heath of the Porsche Centre Solihull. It shows that not even high value sports cars are immune to incompetent DIY repairs.
It’s not uncommon for amateur mechanics to put brake pads in the wrong way round, but the consequences for the driver and other road users don’t bear thinking about. Or was this just a clever attempt at trying to extend the life of a set of expensive pads by wearing only one at a time?
Send us your horror stories to mattersoftesting@vosa.gsi.gov.uk
15 comments
Comment by Hugh Rogers posted on
This MUST be an honest mistake. No-one, however stupid, would put up with the awful noise of metal-to-metal, and not do something about it. Surely. Let alone the severe pulling to the other side as it has twin brake pads in use. Lethal.
Comment by geoff posted on
You could drive this thing pretty far without damage if you had some air in the brake line - lol
Comment by Ian posted on
there seems to be metal filings on that side on the red caliper, also that side of the disc has an orange appearance on the edge possibly caused by overheating, would not surprise me if it was genuine.
Comment by Jim. posted on
So who took the retaining pin out? No visible damage, the whole thinks looks a bit suspect to me. The disc is rusty, the friction materials both look to be covered in rust from contact with the disc.
Comment by Sap posted on
Do garage mechanics have to hold any specific qualifications to charge for repairs?
Comment by Lee Watkins posted on
And they connected the brake pad warning sensor wires
Comment by Baz posted on
Rfr would be inappropriate repair me thinks and I'm still howling at some of the spellings
Baz
Comment by nik posted on
Why is there no metal fillings anywhere?
Comment by Nigel posted on
Just out of interest what rfr would you use?
Pads have plenty of material left.
If they have done the same on the other side, the brakes will probably be balanced and have enough effort.
Discs are still quite thick.
Not condoning this, just thinking out loud.
Comment by John B posted on
Not The First Time iv Seen This ! why do owners think that they know it all ? Just another internet Mechanic !!!!!!! Watched it on You Tube i would expect.
Comment by paul posted on
are you sure this wasn't done on purpose for just a photo,has there isn't even damage to the brake pad metal backing,surely if it was driven to the test station there would be obvious metal or visible damage to the paad/disc edge.
Comment by billy posted on
I agree iv,e done thousands of brake pad replacements over 40 years on all kinds of ministry of defence transport , there would be a lot more damage if this was even driven 1 mile with pad in back to front , you can see where the pad was retained by mark on pad top metal shoulder maybe Stuart was showing what could happen ,if I could upload a photo to this comment of a pad driven back to front to a mot station and the damage after a few mile,s I would plus how long was the car driven before test comes in to mind , unless the person fitted pads in mot bay lol ... Billy
Comment by james posted on
quality job!!!!!
Comment by peter arries posted on
it just shows what a minefield of things can happen after a d.i.y repair job has been made and what makes the failure rate on a test so high
Comment by Laurence posted on
Don't think it is worth risking your life, and your expensive car, for the sake of saving a few pounds by fitting brake pads yourself if you are not trained to do them correctly.