So I installed some Hawk Ceramic brake pads the other night and had a friend help me (while I teach him how to replace brake pads). I did the driver side wheel he did the passenger side. When I tried out the new pads something was grinding real bad. I inspected everything and couldn't figure it out so I took it to a trusted local shop. They had to replace the pads AND rotors because my friend put one of the brake pads on BACKWARDS. So now I've got new pads and rotors and I also still have the pads that I installed. The mechanic said the old (new really) pads cannot be used because of that one pad that was on backwards. I went home (the brakes were fine but not nearly as good as they could be) and looked at the old pads that I bought two days ago. They all looked fine. The only thing I could tell that was messed up was that the one pad that was scraping the rotor had its shield thing come off and the back of it was scraped up. I thought I could maybe still use these brake pads so I put one of my old brake pad shields on the back of the pad. Take a look at these photos and tell me if you think these pads can still be used! (The pad with the really old looking back plate/shield is the one that was messed up. The shield looks old because it's one that I took off my old brake pads.)

Brake Pads Photos by thomthoms3 | Photobucket

 

looks okay. a little beat, but otherwise just fine. not sure how your friend messed that up though, i mean yeah it was their first time.. but..

 

I was wondering the same,

 

Slap your friend and tell him/her to never touch another car. That is for putting you and others in danger.

 

I hope your friend paid for the labor done to replace the pad and rotors.

 

What a friend...

 

While you're at it, slap whatever mechanic said you can't reuse the pads. Worst case scenario you scuff up the surface with some rough sandpaper if there's any glazing.

 

Can't really blame the friend. If you just showed them how to change a set of brakes and then let them change it on their own unsupervised, and you didn't inspect their work, that's on you.

To say they shouldn't touch another car is a shame, they just need a better teacher.

 

WOW....They saw you coming.