Would you work on your friends car brakes? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

blueriomedina · #1 12-01-2009, 08:52 AM

A friend of mine ask me to help him install some new brakes pads on his car (Acura TSL) and I said yes, but my wife said I should not because of liability issues or it maybe illegal since I am not a certified mechanic.

I have done the brakes on all of my cars so I feel confident I can do the job and help my friend who is not mechanically adept.

What do you all think would you work on your friend’s car brakes?

Oscar

aklim · #2 12-01-2009, 08:54 AM

Why not? I suppose it would depend on how good a friend he was.

thorsen · #3 12-01-2009, 09:22 AM

I get asked to help replace brakes frequently from people I work with. They usually go to a repair shop and ask me if I think $350 is a lot to replace brakes. We price out the parts and whatever the difference is between $350 and new pads and rotors cost I label as "piece of mind". The $350 sounds like a better deal.

If something does happen and they wreck and hit someone, where do you think the buck is going to stop? It's just not worth it.

gmercoleza · #4 12-01-2009, 09:33 AM

Yes, I have done it for friends, along with other "side jobs", and would do so again. Yes, I realize if something goes wrong, I am liable. However, having done brakes dozens of times in my life, I would have to be on some pretty strong medication to mess up. So I realize the risk of me goofing up is close to zero. After all, we're talking about 2 pads and a couple of bolts holding the caliper on - come on, how hard is that? Torque the lug nuts to 85 ft./lb. and you're good to go.

I drive my wife and kids every day in vehicles that I have worked on. To me this is the ultimate demonstration of faith in my mechanical abilities.

Hatterasguy · #5 12-01-2009, 10:06 AM

I helped my friend do the brakes on his E300D. I stood their drinking a beer as he worked and used my managerial skills to better manage the project. Than I sat in the car and pumped the pedal as he bleed them.

Brian Carlton · #6 12-01-2009, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmercoleza

Yes, I have done it for friends, along with other "side jobs", and would do so again. Yes, I realize if something goes wrong, I am liable. However, having done brakes dozens of times in my life, I would have to be on some pretty strong medication to mess up. So I realize the risk of me goofing up is close to zero. After all, we're talking about 2 pads and a couple of bolts holding the caliper on - come on, how hard is that? Torque the lug nuts to 85 ft./lb. and you're good to go.

I drive my wife and kids every day in vehicles that I have worked on. To me this is the ultimate demonstration of faith in my mechanical abilities.

Agreed.

If you notice the caliber of the individuals who actually do the brake work, you'll realize that something must be present to save these fools from themselves.

The factor that is overlooked is "redundancy". The system is designed to overcome almost all screwups by any individual who works on the system. It's virtually impossible to have the entire system go out instantaneously. The driver will notice a problem well before he piles the vehicle into a tree in most every possible failure.

Brian Carlton · #7 12-01-2009, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

I helped my friend do the brakes on his E300D. I stood their drinking a beer as he worked and used my managerial skills to better manage the project. Than I sat in the car and pumped the pedal as he bleed them.

........isn't that a bit of deja-vu...........standing around watching work being done on a vehicle............hmmm..............

PaulC · #8 12-01-2009, 10:39 AM

Contact an attorney and have a liability waiver prepared for review by your friend's attorney. Once the review is completed, both parties may execute the document. Note: Always have the signatures notarized.

You may want to have a third line for the pad-selling clerk at Autozone...

t walgamuth · #9 12-01-2009, 11:40 AM

....or simply tell him your wife won't let you....

PaulC · #10 12-01-2009, 11:48 AM

...supported by her affidavit...

aklim · #11 12-01-2009, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulC

...supported by her affidavit...

Notarized and with witnesses, of course.

gmercoleza · #12 12-01-2009, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

If you notice the caliber of the individuals who actually do the brake work, you'll realize that something must be present to save these fools from themselves.

Exactly my thoughts, but I wasn't going to say it...

Mr.Kenny · #13 12-01-2009, 12:05 PM

You can screw up this job even if you have done a hundred brake jobs;...like forgetting to tell your friend to pump up the brakes to seat the pads before driving off.

Dont ask.......

HuskyMan · #14 12-01-2009, 12:14 PM

opportunities abound. one little thing goes wrong and guess whose door he'll be knockin' on? no good deed goes unpunished.

gmercoleza · #15 12-01-2009, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Kenny

You can screw up this job even if you have done a hundred brake jobs;...like forgetting to tell your friend to pump up the brakes to seat the pads before driving off.

Dont ask.......

Part of my responsibility in performing the job is to test it before handing it back over. So your scenario would never occur on my watch.