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This blog post was published under the 2010-2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

https://mattersoftesting.blog.gov.uk/horror-story-dont-do-it-yourself-3/

Horror story: Don't do it yourself

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Horror stories

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?

Brake pads in the wrong way round
This photo was sent in by Stuart Heath of the Porsche Centre Solihull.

 

Send us your horror stories to mattersoftesting@vosa.gsi.gov.uk

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15 comments

  1. 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.

  2. Comment by geoff posted on

    You could drive this thing pretty far without damage if you had some air in the brake line - lol

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. Comment by Sap posted on

    Do garage mechanics have to hold any specific qualifications to charge for repairs?

  6. Comment by Lee Watkins posted on

    And they connected the brake pad warning sensor wires

  7. Comment by Baz posted on

    Rfr would be inappropriate repair me thinks and I'm still howling at some of the spellings
    Baz

  8. Comment by nik posted on

    Why is there no metal fillings anywhere?

  9. 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.

  10. 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.

  11. 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.

    • Replies to paul>

      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

  12. Comment by james posted on

    quality job!!!!!

  13. 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

  14. 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.