Rover Mechanic installs brake pad backwards

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Originally Posted by AlecW

''Actually you are not "paying" for a qualified mechanic to work on your vehicle. A "professional" is merely someone doing a job and getting paid to do it.''

Wot? Is that some Ol' Mechanic proverb?

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No, its the definition of "professional" and I'm not old...

People sometimes get indignant when they find out that an apprentice, lube person or a trades assistant has worked on their vehicle. Having a non qualified person work on your vehicle should not actually matter if their work has been supervised by a knowledgeable trade qualified person, as any trade or professional person will know you spend many years learning your given trade or profession.

Personally I believe it takes about 10 - 15 years for a tradie to know what they are talking about provided they have been taught correctly in the first place. I've worked with some really bad trades persons over the years and have worked with some exceptional non trade qualified people.

So back to the OP topic....
As a few have already pointed out, mistakes happen, its a workshops willingness to resolve the issue. I'm sure they are some what embarrassed by the whole affair, especially if they happen to frequent this forum.

but prolly not as embarrassed as the repairer that recently had to replace an engine on a customers Discovery 4 that came in for a service..... right?

Regards
Daz

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Originally Posted by DazzaTD5

No, its the definition of "professional" and I'm not old...

People sometimes get indignant when they find out that an apprentice, lube person or a trades assistant has worked on their vehicle. Having a non qualified person work on your vehicle should not actually matter if their work has been supervised by a knowledgeable trade qualified person, as any trade or professional person will know you spend many years learning your given trade or profession.

Personally I believe it takes about 10 - 15 years for a tradie to know what they are talking about provided they have been taught correctly in the first place. I've worked with some really bad trades persons over the years and have worked with some exceptional non trade qualified people.

So back to the OP topic....
As a few have already pointed out, mistakes happen, its a workshops willingness to resolve the issue. I'm sure they are some what embarrassed by the whole affair, especially if they happen to frequent this forum.

but prolly not as embarrassed as the repairer that recently had to replace an engine on a customers Discovery 4 that came in for a service..... right?

Regards
Daz

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Im not saying you're old but there is an element of semantics there.

I am in agreeance with a lot of what you say. The particular individual that installed these brake pads was not an apprentice. I'm not fussed if a trade qualified or someone in training works on my vehicle. (they need to learn some way and im not above that) However there needs to be an element of quality control before it leaves the shop especially when it comes to something as vital as brakes

Something concerning is the fact a few mates of mine have needed to take their car in again after getting work done because of workmanship issues at this place, (1 needs to for the 4th time)

I wouldnt use the word 'willingness' when taking into account the way I had to negotiate it getting corrected. Maybe a 'strong reluctance' haha. Kind of like convincing a teenager to get off the couch and mow the lawn/take out the rubbish.

That engine replacement would have stung.........

Regards,

Alec

On the brake squeal - I bought a can of bendix brake cleaner for $11 and went to town on the brake assembly on all four.

Magic stuff and removed the squeal entirely. I got in there and pressure washed the bejesus out of them 1st. I parked against the curb so the handbrake was not engaged so I could get the solution between the disk and pad aswell.

Highly recommend as a first port of call if pads/discs still have meat on them. Worth a try

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Originally Posted by DazzaTD5

A "professional" is merely someone doing a job and getting paid to do it.

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That is only one possible definition. This definition applies when the activity is usually done by amateurs. Like professional surfer, or golfer. Would not apply to mechanics.
professional
C1 a person who has the type of job that needs a high level of education and training:
*informal someone who has worked hard in the same type of job for a long time and has become skilled at dealing with any problem that might happen:
B2 a person who does a job that people usually do as a hobby: a person who plays a sport, especially a golf or tennis player, who is employed by a club to train its members in a particular sport

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Originally Posted by Gerokent

.... ...
But, a brake pad in backwards? It's akin to driving from the back seat.
.. ... ...

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No it's not!

It is akin to a smoker lighting the filter tip end of the cigarette.

I suppose you can't imagine anyone ever making that mistake either. :)

While I can't claim to have done it myself since I have never smoked, I have seen more than one smoker put the cigarette in their mouth backwards. :)

I know it isn't a perfect analogy because brake pads are only dangerous if you put them in backwards whereas cigarettes are dangerous if you put them in the right way around. :p

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Originally Posted by vnx205

No it's not!

It is akin to a smoker lighting the filter tip end of the cigarette.

I suppose you can't imagine anyone ever making that mistake either. :)

While I can't claim to have done it myself since I have never smoked, I have seen more than one smoker put the cigarette in their mouth backwards. :)

I know it isn't a perfect analogy because brake pads are only dangerous if you put them in backwards whereas cigarettes are dangerous if you put them in the right way around. :p

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I have to admit to doing this on a number of occasions, being a smoker, but only in the dark when ****ed.

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Originally Posted by rovernutter

That is only one possible definition. This definition applies when the activity is usually done by amateurs. Like professional surfer, or golfer. Would not apply to mechanics.
professional
C1 a person who has the type of job that needs a high level of education and training:
*informal someone who has worked hard in the same type of job for a long time and has become skilled at dealing with any problem that might happen:
B2 a person who does a job that people usually do as a hobby: a person who plays a sport, especially a golf or tennis player, who is employed by a club to train its members in a particular sport

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or....
"1. following an occupation as a means of livelihood or for gain:
a professional builder."

Regards
Daz

I object to paying a professional to do a half assed job, when I could do that myself. :(

:lol2:

I will admit that I have made a mistake with fitting brake pads when I was young in the trade, I left one of the caliper retaining bolts loose....the vehicle made a knocking noise under brakes...back to the workshop to suss it out...
Now days I methodically check and re-check....especially when I was working on Police bikes....
I am perhaps a bit pedantic where the tools are laid out in order of use, brake pads matched for RHS/LHS, and finish the job before starting another or going for lunch, at home the wife has learned to accept that I will come in for dinner after the job is finished...many cold late night dinners were had.

I worked with a old mechanic who would never have a conversation with you till he finished the job, as he did not want to be distracted.
Now if you anaylise your situation you could see why the brake pad was put in backwards....as the mechanic or apprentice may have been distracted, did not check and re-check the work before putting the wheel back on.

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Originally Posted by Slunnie

I object to paying a professional to do a half assed job, when I could do that myself. :(

:lol2:

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That's what my Pa always says....

Although its been a very long time since he has had to put a spanner of his Defender, this is mostly because his half assed jobs clutter up my workshop! :p

Regards
Daz