Automotive Inspection

[HellRaZoR004]

Originally Posted by Rusty

Good comments and I understand there are variables to consider when checking brakes. However if one Inspection Station fails them and it is on the report, how can another Inspection Station pass the brakes. The report is sent to the DOS and they have the original failure and then will get the final report.

Correct - but how is the second shop to know you didn't change the brakes yourself? Even with used brakes?

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by HellRaZoR004

Correct - but how is the second shop to know you didn't change the brakes yourself? Even with used brakes?

In OleSmokey's post I am going on the assumption that he didn't change anything.
Most people wouldn't change the components on their braking system with used ones. However anything is possible.
If someone did fix what was wrong with their brakes then why didn't they take it back to the first Inspection Station?
I guess we'll just have to keep wondering why...OleSmokey doesn't want to tell us...top secret I guess.

[OleSmokey]

Rusty, no secrets here other than I don't wish to name names...
I changed nothing...I left the first service station at 5:30pm, drove home, parked in driveway and then drove to second service station at 9am the next day. The first service station that "rejected" me did not take any of the 4 tires/rims off the vehicle. The second station that "passed" me took off all 4 tires/rims. Go figure! After being told that the brakes and brake lines needed to be replaced, I went home and checked my receipts from past work performed. This is when I confirmed that the brakes had been replaced along with brake lines, what i would consider a short time ago and a short amount of miles on the vehicle (7,000+).
My point in writing my original comment was to just state that it is a "buyer beware" environment out there. One must be careful....how many people would just say "ok, go ahead and fix it"....I'm not against fixing what is needed to be fixed (again, it had a valid rejection which was fixed) but don't want to shell out $1500.00 if it is really not needed. By the way, the first service station that rejected me never wrote up any documentation at all...just gave me verbal input...the second station gave me documentation that stated the reason for rejection.

[Rusty]

Thanks OleSmokey.

Evidently the first Inspection Station didn't do an emission test or you would have rec'd a report. The emission test goes directly into the data base along with the other issues if there were any.

It's just plan greed and dishonesty when an Inspection Station rejects something that is perfectly OK.

Sorry this happened to you.

[wynndog]

You cannot measure thickness accurately on a brake shoe or pad w/o taking the wheel off. The first station/ w/o a fail receipt, you can't prove anything.
Then you said you went to a second one and they gave you a sticker w/o pulling the wheels; if that makes you happy(without knowing how safe your car brakes are) and the state of NH does not require to pull wheels then DONE.
You can go to a State police barracks and find out all laws tell them your story with the inspection station # which should be hanging outside their building proving the station is official & their records are checked by the state of NH.
About 2 % of the time I've had a car that needed the same brake work done in 5-8,000 miles.I owned one!! But it was finally a recall problem. The state should be happy to look at the pass/fail receipt and weed out bad repair shops.

[VitaBene]

Originally Posted by wynndog

You cannot measure thickness accurately on a brake shoe or pad w/o taking the wheel off. The first station/ w/o a fail receipt, you can't prove anything.
Then you said you went to a second one and they gave you a sticker w/o pulling the wheels; if that makes you happy(without knowing how safe your car brakes are) and the state of NH does not require to pull wheels then DONE.

Originally Posted by OleSmokey

Rusty, no secrets here other than I don't wish to name names...
I changed nothing...I left the first service station at 5:30pm, drove home, parked in driveway and then drove to second service station at 9am the next day. The first service station that "rejected" me did not take any of the 4 tires/rims off the vehicle. The second station that "passed" me took off all 4 tires/rims.

I think you have it backwards, the second shop passed him and DID remove the wheels.

I never understood why brake thickness is part of the inspection. I would be more concerned with knowing the rest of the system works, which they do not check... just my 2 cents!

[wynndog]

Sorry, right Vita, the second shop took off the wheels, that is why they could measure them and see they were thick enough to pass. The reason there is a minimum thickness is;because if nobody checks the brakes when the tires and oil (should be changed & rotated 2x a year) the law must set standards of a min. that the pad life/ per yearly inspection.So the pads don't wear down to the metal they are attached to. If that happens it becomes metal against your metal drum or rotor which will cost you much more $ plus not stopping the car properly and you may cause/ or not be able to avoid an accident.So, a State Safety Inspection is not only for your safety, but for others on the road.
By the way,the rest of the system checks,broken? cracked hoses, rusty lines, rotor thickness,low master cyl. means fluid leaks, brake pedal slowly going to the floor means problem w/ master cyl. caliper and wheel cyls. for wetness(leaks).proportioning valves & parking brakes,brake lights.
Then you have 2-3 electrical systems,suspension, steering, exhaust, tires, windshield vision (all sides), washers, wipers,door functions (for exiting in emergencies) eg. fire.Metal sticking out that could hit a pedestrian, over sized tires that are out past the wheel wells that can through stones on the car behind them and crack a windshield.Finally , a test ride by a tech to see if the brakes pull or any noises to inspect. A thorough safety inspection takes 45 minutes.

[SIKSUKR]

Most brake pads have wear indicators that make noise when there useful life has been reached. I totally agree with VB. A failed brake line is waaaay more dangerous than brake pads wearing thin.