I'm living in Indiana but my wife is from MD and she just had a friend drive out in a new-to-her car. When she got here she complained about the brakes making an awful noise. The driver's side was fine but on the passenger side front I could feel that the inboard side of the rotor was all chewed up. Sure enough when I got it apart there was no pad left on the inboard side and only 1/16 on the outboard one. The driver's side pads looked like they were almost brand new so I'm guessing the PO was lazy/cheap and only had one side done. Yes, I changed them out too.

She called the dealer to complain (small time independent but she has bought from him before). He mumbled something about MD only requiring him to check ONE side, not both. He did promise that he would reimburse her the $80 in parts (about $40 each for a box of pads and one new rotor) when she was back in town. My question is does anyone know if this is true that he is only required to check one side? Of course it's stupid, no question, just not sure if it's true.

Thanks all.

 

it has been my understanding that they check -one side front -opposite side on the rear
but they may have changed that again

 

I think they only check one side per axle. Common is RF & RL.

Some shops check all sides or more to make money.

I friggin' hate MD inspections. It's so corrupt.

 

this is correct, except it is up to the mechanic which to check as long as theyre opisite sides front and back

 

so they still use the opposing sides technique huh

 

yupper, and you have no way of knowing which the mechanic will choose.

 

hey i always check all the brakes before i send em to the inspection station
and or drive it -rather have brakes than any other thing on a vehicle be the one thing that works well

 

yup. usually the only thing they get me for is head light alignment.

 

yeah can't believe every car that goes through MD inspection has bad headlight adjustment

 

and/or wiper blades

 

Unless there something evident, I just use the inspection as a to do list. Of course thats if I get something inspected, thats why I have so much old crap I guess.
Charlie

 

It is the most corrupt inspection I have ever seen. I just went thru this with a 92 Taurs we bought for the kids to drive.

They do only check in brake per axle. What I did was go ahold of the inspection form and go thru it before I took it in.

I found pep boys to be the cheapest to do the inspection.

 

Thanks for all the answers.

 

yeah I'm in your boat with the old crap I love my old clunkers

 

naaa. it's because we're old, and can't throw away anything that might still be a little bit good yet, that someone MIGHT need