Yet another fecking problem

[Calumcco]

I got my passenger side front tyre N/S/F changed today. As the mechanic took it off he said that there was a pin missing from my brakes. He has told me to search for a Front Brake Pad Fitting Kit and told me to bring it back to them and they will fit it for me.

How does that happen then? How does a pin just disappear from the brake?
It was the top pin by the way, the bottom pin was in place!

 

[whitenemesis]

Probably wasn't fitted when the pads were last changed?

 

[Calumcco]

Probably wasn't fitted when the pads were last changed?

Isn't that dangerous then? Whoever changed the pads should be held liable surely? The mechanics all said they could hear my brakes screeching as I pulled in but I cant say I have noticed any noise from the brakes.

 

[whitenemesis]

Liable for what? Nothing untoward has happened (thankfully perhaps). Simply buy a new pin and fit it.

 

[television]

It is a hard question to prove, the pin could have had a broken spring and it could fall out, the effect could make the pads tilt and jam.

Its been found, thats the main thing and dead easy to knock in.

 

[Calumcco]

Liable for what? Nothing untoward has happened (thankfully perhaps). Simply buy a new pin and fit it.

The mechanic reckons it was dangerous and not "an ideal scenario" to find myself in.

 

[television]

The mechanic reckons it was dangerous and not "an ideal scenario" to find myself in.

It is not good if the pads tilted and jammed, but they did not and the fault found before it came a problem.

 

[Calumcco]

It is not good if the pads tilted and jammed, but they did not and the fault found before it came a problem.

Was it an illegal fault? Could it eventually have led to brake failure?

 

[television]

Its all hypothetical in a way, was it the top pin or the bottom one, the pads could be forced partly out, making them jam in the slot.

Often the pins get damaged trying to remove them, did the last guy forget to put one in, all that we will never know. It would not have led to brake failure, more uneven braking causing the car to skew had the pads jammed.

 

[mannikon]

Discoveries like that are always worrying. It may have dropped out by itself but things like that always make me nervous. I've had, in the past, loose wheel nuts, stripped sump plug threads, air filter housings not done up ... might be a good idea to check all the brakes?

 

[drmw]

could certainly have made your bush squeak

 

[Calumcco]

could certainly have made your bush squeak

Oh no!!!

 

[kth286]

Did you buy that car from a dealer OR private ?

I ask because it seems to me that the maintenance of the car has been done on the cheap.

This is the third thing (I can think of) you have revealed which points to very poor
maintenance.

1. Mismatched spark plugs

2. cable tie holding heater blower in place

3. brake pads held in by only one pin when there should be two.

What else will be revealed ? !!

 

[tode]

The first question that springs to mind is: "Where were the brakes done last time?"

Mercedes/Indie

or 'Backstreet' ?

 

[Calumcco]

Did you buy that car from a dealer OR private ?

I ask because it seems to me that the maintenance of the car has been done on the cheap.

This is the third thing (I can think of) you have revealed which points to very poor
maintenance.

1. Mismatched spark plugs

2. cable tie holding heater blower in place

3. brake pads held in by only one pin when there should be two.

What else will be revealed ? !!

Hi Kth286 I agree with you I got the car in Radlett, Herts from a dealer.
The car was apparently very well looked after and highly maintained having been a Hertford Mercedes Demonstrator and then had one owner from 1998-2013 who was apparently a enthusiast who was so caring for his cars that he wrote down all his miles that he had covered and all his miles until service in a handbook which I inherited when I purchased the car. I also inherited a very large portfolio including all previous MOT'S, service reports and valuations from auctions, etc.

In fact I have never owned a car with such a large service history. So I have no reason to suspect that any expenses have been avoided in a bid to maintain the quality of this car so I am at a loss as to explain why there appears to be all these "corner cutting" measures.

 

[Calumcco]

The first question that springs to mind is: "Where were the brakes done last time?"

Mercedes/Indie

or 'Backstreet' ?

Hi mate, I have looked through my service history and cant find any records of when/where the brakes were last done. Would it definitely be having brakes done that would cause the pins to drop out of place or could they have dropped out without having brakes replaced?

 

[maska]

Brake Pin

The mechanic reckons it was dangerous and not "an ideal scenario" to find myself in.

If It Was So Dangerous ! Why Did'nt the Tire Fitter Put One in !! ie Which Holds Him Liable For Allowing a Unsafe Vehicle Back On The Road !

 

[television]

If It Was So Dangerous ! Why Did'nt the Tire Fitter Put One in !! ie Which Holds Him Liable For Allowing a Unsafe Vehicle Back On The Road !

No one would keep all the pins in stock, some have to be ordered, all S class spares have to come from Germany

 

[Calumcco]

If It Was So Dangerous ! Why Did'nt the Tire Fitter Put One in !! ie Which Holds Him Liable For Allowing a Unsafe Vehicle Back On The Road !

My point exactly! they did look in their office for a spare pin but couldn't find one but I have been advised to find one on E-Bay and take it back to them so they can fit it. Is it essential to have this pin as I am finding it difficult to locate one. And why do I have to buy the whole kit? Cant I just buy a single pin for the N/S/F?

 

[Calumcco]

No one would keep all the pins in stock, some have to be ordered, all S class spares have to come from Germany

I am confused to be honest! What is the purpose of these "pins" I didn't even know there was such a thing until today.