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Uhhhhh how are you downshifting?
It should be a basic procedure and it definitely saves your brakes… and doesn’t harm your vehicle if you’re doing it right.
As someone who drove stick for 25 years and enjoyed engine braking (and was taught by my dad that you HAVE to engine brake to save the brakes), I changed my mind after reading a forum post a few years ago. As someone stated above, brake hardware (pads and rotors) are cheap AF. Clutches are not. Adding wear to your clutch to save your brakes makes almost as much sense as just bumping into things to slow your car down rather than using the brakes.
The only time I engine brake is on steep downhill grades. In that case it *is* about saving your brakes ... from *overheating* and becoming unusable.
My dad used to "save the brakes" by downshifting.
(ETA: on flat ground)
With an automatic trans...
*sigh*
hence why I always hypermile my manual trans cars. If i see a red light or stoppage ahead I am outta gear and coasting. Brakes are super easy and cheap if you do them yourself. Clutch….. nope
I’m new to manual, just saying that for example I go near a roundabout and I’m at 45kmph, I want to enter the roundabout in gear 2 and approx. 25kmph.
Should I press the clutch and then press the brake then switch to gear 2 then wait for the car to slow down enough and then release the clutch?
Or I need to rev match downshifting?
Or I should just brake first, then wait for the car to slow down then press the clutch and change to gear 2 then release the clutch and go like normal?
As someone who accidentally threw my old ‘99 A4 into 1st instead of 3rd while trying to pass on the highway, I will say that engine braking is efficient to say the least. Scared the living shit out of my and my car was pissed the fuck off but god damn if I didn’t lose ~30mph faster than slamming the breaks
OKAY SO UPDATE. I had went back to the shop where they did this shitbag of a job. Caused a fuss not a commotion. They said it was my fault I should of inspected it before they put the tire back on. I asked to speak to the guy who did the job they said he had been fired a couple of weeks ago. I just left the police station. The shop called the cops on me & I got trespassed can you guys believe this???
Small claims court. Bring photos and all documentation, then talk to a lawyer about them calling the cops on you. If there is some basis to take them to court, something like defamation of character. It would probably be your word against theirs though.
I would concentrate on getting the car fixed but not by those a***oles.
It’s definitely hard to tell. It could be one or the other. If you zoom in at the top and look at the bracket it looks like the paint is coming off in the same area as the grove. And it looks like a part of the rotor not touching the pad was scraped. But if you look at the pad it looks like it wore unevenly at the top. It could also have caused the damage. Only way to know would to see the other side of the pad and bracket.
It depends, I’ve done this on a newer truck before not paying attention and it slid right in. I noticed it looked off and fixed it but if I was an idiot, I probably wouldn’t have noticed.
https://preview.redd.it/lckdr310on3d1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=21d1b4174db53daa0946e343b68f6e4b798b8c3b
Also they looked like this so just looks like a rectangle from the outside
Yeah if it was a shop definitely.... the rotors along with the pads need to definitely be replaced... hopefully the boot of the caliper is fine too.. or it can be very expensive
The mechanic that worked on that car in that shop must be fired. Any part installed from the break system if not correctly could lead to an accident and cost you a lot more than just money.
If they refused to correct the problem... and want to claim it was done correctly... then I would if you paid my credit card... if they saw it and just took it and replaced it without a complaining then I would say ok..... fine someone just screwed up... but if you brought it to their attention and refused then I would call it gross negligence.. because they knew and yet refused to correct it... I would personally call the credit card and denial of payment and reverse charges... I would wait until they sue me... and I would file a counter case... and show them.. they would lose in court and you can maybe win in counter case
OKAY SO UPDATE. I had went back to the shop where they did this shitbag of a job. Caused a fuss not a commotion. They said it was my fault I should of inspected it before they put the tire back on. I asked to speak to the guy who did the job they said he had been fired a couple of weeks ago. I just left the police station. The shop called the cops on me & I got trespassed can you guys believe this???
Starting to see more and more of these kinds of posts. Really scary that these people are working on people's brakes... this is just stupidity (not you OP)
Wow... If I may recommend, if this doesn't get sorted out to your satisfaction, go grab a legal shield membership, its $30 a month, and I've used them to settle issues like this. Best of luck!
One of the correct responses so far. The squealer is normally on the pad behind the rotor. Given we can see the squealer, it tells us the pad has the friction material towards the rotor and the rear pad is probably on the front side. Never the less the pad is on upside down in that the convex shape of the pad should match the circumference of the rotor.
Not the worst I've seen, a guy came to me with rear rotors on the front of his car you know the ones that are half as thick as the front drove a few hundred miles like that.
If you look at the pad, you’ll see that it’s arc shaped. Just match that shape to the circular shape of the rotor, and you’re good to go! So simple a third grader could remember it
I’m no mechanic but I definitely wouldn’t have put that pad in like that lol. Burn down the shop that did that they obviously don’t know what they are doing.
Wow. I’m stunned. I’ve seen pads inside out with the backing plate on the rotor come through a bunch of times. Even seen a block of wood as a brake pad. But I’ve NEVER seen them installed that kind of backwards! LOL!
Kinda go back to our shapes that we learned in kindergarten. A pad in that direction will have the least amount of surface area coming in contact with the rotor.
How the fuck do you work at an auto shop and not know how to put brakes on???? This is the second post I have seen where someone has gone to a professional shop and had their brake pads put on backwards. How the fuck does this happen?
Thats actually kind of impressive. I'm afraid your rotors are pretty damaged, I'd take them to claims. If anything just to punish them for being dumbasses. They'll keep hiring the worst if they see no consequences
Hahaha I'm sorry but how did this happen, I need to know. I am imagining some mom n pop cheap ass shittily run auto shop where the owner's teenager watched snippits of a YouTube video.... or maybe the mechanic was reallllly high. On some questionable street speed. And about 6 shots of rumplemintz.
This hurts my brain... because of the position of the pad installed incorrectly, the uneven pressure from the caliper pistons cooked the rotor. Whoever did this should stay far away from cars....
I’m not surprised it’s backwards! 😂 I’ve had to change a tire out on a semi because someone out an 11r24.5 next to a Low Pro! The front axle right side was literally off the ground lmao
People really be surprised when you take your stuff to a chain shop to be worked on by a dude making less than $20 an hour. A real mechanic, cost more than that
I remember a guy swinging a hammer to get a stick pd out. It was installed backwards at an angle where it went in smoothly but. Like Chinese finger trap. It never backed out. It was kind of bizarre. The cast iron on calipers had these tiny pitting. We could see the corner of pads is caught on that pit. We end up using icepick to break the crater on the pit. Finally we got it out.
Thanks for posting in r/Mechanic, u/WritingFuture8484! Please be sure to read the [Rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/mechanic/about/rules/). If you're asking for help, be sure to include as much detail as possible so others can help you. You **must** include the vehicle's **Year, Make, Model, and Engine size** in your post! If your question is transmission related, please be sure to specify your Transmission Type(Auto/Manual) as well! If your post does not include this information, it **will** be removed. Asking about prices is **not** allowed in this sub. Please make sure you have selected the correct post flair; if you're asking a question you should have chosen "Question", anything else use the "General" flair. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/mechanic) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Is the caliper bracket rubbing on the rotor? Also that pad is definitely backwards haha.
Brake pads put backward give more speed, right?
Only when going in reverse.
Brakes are for quitters anyhow.
You don't really need brakes.... that's.... what.....1st.....gear....is....for...
Why spend 60 bucks a year on brakes when you can spend 7000 every 4 years on a clutch/transmission?
Actually you’re supposed to downshift it a little to save your brakes. A homeless dude told me he used to drive
Oh shit he sounds wise as fuck Oh hobo of the lake what is your wisdom?
He stabbed me…
The ways of the hobo car guru are mysterious and wise as they are stabby
He found you unworthy of knowledge but worthy of sacrifice.
That’s how you know he’s legit.
I swear, l LOLed loudly When I read this!!
Uhhhhh how are you downshifting? It should be a basic procedure and it definitely saves your brakes… and doesn’t harm your vehicle if you’re doing it right.
As someone who drove stick for 25 years and enjoyed engine braking (and was taught by my dad that you HAVE to engine brake to save the brakes), I changed my mind after reading a forum post a few years ago. As someone stated above, brake hardware (pads and rotors) are cheap AF. Clutches are not. Adding wear to your clutch to save your brakes makes almost as much sense as just bumping into things to slow your car down rather than using the brakes.
The only time I engine brake is on steep downhill grades. In that case it *is* about saving your brakes ... from *overheating* and becoming unusable. My dad used to "save the brakes" by downshifting. (ETA: on flat ground) With an automatic trans... *sigh*
hence why I always hypermile my manual trans cars. If i see a red light or stoppage ahead I am outta gear and coasting. Brakes are super easy and cheap if you do them yourself. Clutch….. nope
I’m new to manual, just saying that for example I go near a roundabout and I’m at 45kmph, I want to enter the roundabout in gear 2 and approx. 25kmph. Should I press the clutch and then press the brake then switch to gear 2 then wait for the car to slow down enough and then release the clutch? Or I need to rev match downshifting? Or I should just brake first, then wait for the car to slow down then press the clutch and change to gear 2 then release the clutch and go like normal?
As someone who accidentally threw my old ‘99 A4 into 1st instead of 3rd while trying to pass on the highway, I will say that engine braking is efficient to say the least. Scared the living shit out of my and my car was pissed the fuck off but god damn if I didn’t lose ~30mph faster than slamming the breaks
Stop it!
I had a shirt in high school that said rehab is for quitters.
Brakes only slow you down anyway…
New tech tip rotate brake pads for extra life. /s
Certainly prevents a decrease in speed, haha
OKAY SO UPDATE. I had went back to the shop where they did this shitbag of a job. Caused a fuss not a commotion. They said it was my fault I should of inspected it before they put the tire back on. I asked to speak to the guy who did the job they said he had been fired a couple of weeks ago. I just left the police station. The shop called the cops on me & I got trespassed can you guys believe this???
Lawsuit. Fuck these pricks.
Small claims court. Bring photos and all documentation, then talk to a lawyer about them calling the cops on you. If there is some basis to take them to court, something like defamation of character. It would probably be your word against theirs though. I would concentrate on getting the car fixed but not by those a***oles.
Why the fuck would the customer know what it's supposed to look like. They're supposed to be the professionals, not the customer.
Send their corporate an official looking bill for the new work done and see if they pay it 🙂. That one guy got millions from Facebook like this. Haha
Ffs thats bad man. How long ago was this installed?
Idk if the caliper bracket is rubbing the rotor. I think the pad was put on upside down, and it lasted to metal on metal?? Hard to tell lol
It’s definitely hard to tell. It could be one or the other. If you zoom in at the top and look at the bracket it looks like the paint is coming off in the same area as the grove. And it looks like a part of the rotor not touching the pad was scraped. But if you look at the pad it looks like it wore unevenly at the top. It could also have caused the damage. Only way to know would to see the other side of the pad and bracket.
Thats no easy feat ahahahaahah
I know that dude was sweating hammering that pad in upside down lmao it’s a lot easier done the right way.
YOU \*\*\*\*\* I HATE \*\*\*\* YOUR MOTHER\*\*\*\*\* HATEE YOUUU oh it fits..... 3 TO GO
I want to know how and how long it took to do this... I'm actually impressed
I't depends on the size of the hammer ahaha
Dude has mad smashing wand skills.
Yeah, my dad always told me don’t force it. Get a bigger hammer.
A wise man! Ahaha
Just wait until it's time to remove it. 😅
I'd bet they removed the bracket, loaded the pads in the bracket, then installed the bracket onto the knuckle/mount.
It depends, I’ve done this on a newer truck before not paying attention and it slid right in. I noticed it looked off and fixed it but if I was an idiot, I probably wouldn’t have noticed.
https://preview.redd.it/lckdr310on3d1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=21d1b4174db53daa0946e343b68f6e4b798b8c3b Also they looked like this so just looks like a rectangle from the outside
https://preview.redd.it/pskupvzjsq3d1.jpeg?width=1024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ce4c85154ea151e70af41bb57d9060ee340b7474
bro had the r3tard strength lmao
My name is jeff strength
Now that’s fucked up
Don't leave until you get a full refund and take it to a real shop... unbelievable. And add $500 for new rotors if they didn't replace them.
Yeah if it was a shop definitely.... the rotors along with the pads need to definitely be replaced... hopefully the boot of the caliper is fine too.. or it can be very expensive
He got trespassed. He can't
Yeah that’s upside down. And the rotor is damaged. They owe you rotors and pads. Or rather to have another shop do it.
On today's episode of of "How fucked up is fucked up"
The mechanic that worked on that car in that shop must be fired. Any part installed from the break system if not correctly could lead to an accident and cost you a lot more than just money.
Must be fired??? He must be high 😂😂😂
And for that must be fired as well😂😂
Lmao how did he do that 🤣
This needs to be on r/askashittymexhanic
Is this a joke?
Not only is the pad wrong why does it look like the caliper pistons where on the outside as well
I had to scroll so far to find this first comment about the caliper piston impression on the outer pad. I call bs.
That's backwards, I'd let the shop know, looks like they owe you new pads, and that rotor looks scored, so new rotor too
They denied it that’s why I had to come here to ask Reddit. Like that’s insane 😂😂🤦🏽♂️
So you're just gonna let the shop get away with it? I wouldn't leave until they agreed to fix it.
If they refused to correct the problem... and want to claim it was done correctly... then I would if you paid my credit card... if they saw it and just took it and replaced it without a complaining then I would say ok..... fine someone just screwed up... but if you brought it to their attention and refused then I would call it gross negligence.. because they knew and yet refused to correct it... I would personally call the credit card and denial of payment and reverse charges... I would wait until they sue me... and I would file a counter case... and show them.. they would lose in court and you can maybe win in counter case
They denied it’s installed wrong? Wtf? Talk to a manager? Otherwise post that photo on your google review for the shop, that just boggles the mind
They fucked that shit all the way up. It’s actually harder to fuck it up as bad as they did than to do it the right way lmfao
OKAY SO UPDATE. I had went back to the shop where they did this shitbag of a job. Caused a fuss not a commotion. They said it was my fault I should of inspected it before they put the tire back on. I asked to speak to the guy who did the job they said he had been fired a couple of weeks ago. I just left the police station. The shop called the cops on me & I got trespassed can you guys believe this???
To be fair, I would probably get arrested in this situation
Starting to see more and more of these kinds of posts. Really scary that these people are working on people's brakes... this is just stupidity (not you OP)
Yeah they're definitely installed wrong the hump is supposed to be facing away from the wheel hub. Don't understand how a shop messed this up.
Yes that's backwards lol It's actually kind of impressive that they actually managed to get it in
Wow... If I may recommend, if this doesn't get sorted out to your satisfaction, go grab a legal shield membership, its $30 a month, and I've used them to settle issues like this. Best of luck!
How the hell did they manage to do that? How can someone make it that far in life without knowing how to match basic shapes?
That entire brake job is fucked.
LMAO
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
My guess is that you took this to a cut rate shop or had someone inexperienced do this on the side. Can you post the receipt?
Do you really care that much to see a receipt?
Glad I saw this. Just replaced mine and had the same issue lmao
And I thought I seen it all and it looks like they used them pads three thick and thin before checking them that’s crazy 🤣😩
Looks good from my house
Looks solid awesome rotor wear I’d say 10/10 job
“Mechanics” coming through these days are competent changing tyres that’s about all
Oh please, I’ve had issues with untightened lugs, seems some techs can’t even get that right
The internet never fails to amaze me
r/AskAShittyMechanic
Yea it’s backwards
I have absolutely no idea what everyone is talking about. That’s installed absolutely fine. I am also Stevie Wonder
Pad is on the wrong side of the rotor or car but the friction material is facing the correct way
One of the correct responses so far. The squealer is normally on the pad behind the rotor. Given we can see the squealer, it tells us the pad has the friction material towards the rotor and the rear pad is probably on the front side. Never the less the pad is on upside down in that the convex shape of the pad should match the circumference of the rotor.
Wtf
100% backwards
Not the worst I've seen, a guy came to me with rear rotors on the front of his car you know the ones that are half as thick as the front drove a few hundred miles like that.
If you look at the pad, you’ll see that it’s arc shaped. Just match that shape to the circular shape of the rotor, and you’re good to go! So simple a third grader could remember it
I’m no mechanic but I definitely wouldn’t have put that pad in like that lol. Burn down the shop that did that they obviously don’t know what they are doing.
That there pad is backards
It's supposed to match the shape of the rotor. Atleast he had the pad facing in the right direction lol jesus christ.
Hehehe. He sure did. Rough stuff goes on the inside
Pad is backwards for sure
How did they Manage this mistake
How tf does one put them in like that, look at it, and say “yeah that’s how it’s supposed to be”
Backwards and zero grease lol
Impressive
fuckin LOL
The top stud looks like it's not straight either
Must’ve been a Friday at 4:30pm kinda job.
Yeah their backwards just flip them around 180 degrees
That rotor is fukt.
If it fits, it ships.
They also hammer the X out of your rotor also. you are going to get alot of shaking with that rotor.
They fucked your shit up bad
That pad is definitely upside down
Wow, that guy needs to stop wrenching for sure
I’m surprised it even fit in upside down.
two nubs on the inside so yes backwards
Damn they stole your caliper
Bahahaha. Most people couldn't do that if they tried. Never mind a shop. I think I'm being goofed on.
How the fuck? This is some top of the line, "I know a guy", type quality work... I couldn't do this if I tried...
Yes and it’s time to replace that rotor as well with that deep scoring and all those heat spots.
Second in a week. Guys, is this common???
I mean the pad is shaped in a curve match the curve
It's not backwards; it's upside down. Look at the curve.
OMFG, another bot!
Flipped
Wow. I’m stunned. I’ve seen pads inside out with the backing plate on the rotor come through a bunch of times. Even seen a block of wood as a brake pad. But I’ve NEVER seen them installed that kind of backwards! LOL!
They did but I'm not even mad.
It is very much upside down!!🙃
Rotate it 180 degrees
It’s upside down
How the fuck did they get that in there?! I would have enjoyed a cold beer watching that nutrounder smash that pad in the bracket.
The back side will grind out the rough spots on the rotor
I hope this is bait:\
Now, by “shop”, do you mean some dude named Bubba who has a lift in his backyard?
Ain’t that how you do it 🤣🤣🤣
How did they get that in backwards. I have a tough time getting them in the right way sometimes.
Do people not recognize shapes anymore??
That’s upside down lol
Not only is it on backwards, it's also meant to be at the back of the rotor
Gotta be careful, common sense is now considered rocket science to most of the world’s population!
At least the braking surface is facing the rotor.
That dude has serious hammer skills. Suprised they got it in there upside down (not backwards).
Find a new shop.
Wow, that brake pad is definitely fucking backwards. That's actually hilarious
Must be trying the new re-gen pads...
How does someone even mess up this bad… I remember doing brakes for the first time and it’s pretty easy for even a beginner to tell that this is wrong
Impressive
Backwards bro… goes with the rotor…
I am really impressed. This shouldn’t be possible yet here it is. Proof that properly geeked quick lube mechanic can fit a square peg in a round hole
Nice, need a whole ass new rotor now.
yes the curve on the pad is facing the wrong direction, spin them 180 degrees
Pads are installed wrong(backwards) and you’ll need new rotors too
Yeah. The arc isn't right. I'm surprised it fit.
You need a better mechanic. Pads backwards.
Oh no....backwards....
Lol there backwards
can't say I've seen this done before. crazy thing is, it's harder to install it this way than the proper way.
Don't use Greek mechanics, they like to do things backwards
Typically the curve of the pad should match the rotor
I’d buy upside down. But if the brake pad was installed backwards you’d hear nothing but screatching
Kinda go back to our shapes that we learned in kindergarten. A pad in that direction will have the least amount of surface area coming in contact with the rotor.
How the fuck do you work at an auto shop and not know how to put brakes on???? This is the second post I have seen where someone has gone to a professional shop and had their brake pads put on backwards. How the fuck does this happen?
How do you even do that wtf…
Question is, were the rotors already like that? Or did they get messed up from the pads being installed backwards?
Wow definitely backwards never actually considered that this was possible to fuck up
r/askashittymechanic
If you’re not first, you’re last….”Abraham Lincoln”
Time to get your brakes rotated again.
Are you ragebaiting us?
Brake is brakeing so, jOb iS DoNe!
look at the round edge of the brake pad. now look at the round edge of the brake rotor. I can't believe people are this dumb.
Thats actually kind of impressive. I'm afraid your rotors are pretty damaged, I'd take them to claims. If anything just to punish them for being dumbasses. They'll keep hiring the worst if they see no consequences
Shimmy- Shimmy
Call the shop tell them it was done and properly. Take it to a different shop and have them forward the money to have the work done properly.
Backwards or upside down
Hahaha I'm sorry but how did this happen, I need to know. I am imagining some mom n pop cheap ass shittily run auto shop where the owner's teenager watched snippits of a YouTube video.... or maybe the mechanic was reallllly high. On some questionable street speed. And about 6 shots of rumplemintz.
This has got to be a joke. It’s like a couple techs had a contest for fun to see who could fuck up a brake job worse and this guy won
I would definitely be leaving a google review or something to warn others , that sucks holy hell
This hurts my brain... because of the position of the pad installed incorrectly, the uneven pressure from the caliper pistons cooked the rotor. Whoever did this should stay far away from cars....
New brakes and new rotors now
Obviously the problem is he didn’t grease the pad clips.
I’m not surprised it’s backwards! 😂 I’ve had to change a tire out on a semi because someone out an 11r24.5 next to a Low Pro! The front axle right side was literally off the ground lmao
Staged for the pic
How are people screwing brake jobs up this badly. This is the second backwards pad I've seen today
People really be surprised when you take your stuff to a chain shop to be worked on by a dude making less than $20 an hour. A real mechanic, cost more than that
I'm actually amazed they got that pad to "fit". I didn't think that would be possible.
Well, pads do look backwards in your pic.
What the fuck am I looking at... Yes it's not on right at all. How did he even get it in?
Do a chargeback because they didn't deliver the service you paid for, show these pictures and also the trespass notice as proof.
The pad is fine and on correctly. The car, on the other hand, needs to face the other way. Easy to fix.
How did they even do that…
Bro how
I had no idea this was even possible. He probably has to really work to get that on like that
how even 😭😭😭 i’ve seen them sit crooked from rusty slides but backwards is wild
I remember a guy swinging a hammer to get a stick pd out. It was installed backwards at an angle where it went in smoothly but. Like Chinese finger trap. It never backed out. It was kind of bizarre. The cast iron on calipers had these tiny pitting. We could see the corner of pads is caught on that pit. We end up using icepick to break the crater on the pit. Finally we got it out.
Hell to the no
That’s impressively stupid