T-Bird,
Just got back today, and have read all the comments posted here. Some really good advice from the others! :2thumbs:
But from what I can tell from the "reads" here, sounds like the "moe' canic or more likely the "moron"

probably didn't install the spring correctly when he did your brakes! The "Dumb Azz"! :loony: One of the legs was most likely riding on the rotor instead of the brake pad while you were first riding it afterwards, and cut off some of the spring arm very quickly. Now you need a new spring! Also sounds like what one of the others suggested is most likely correct about the use of a screwdriver :loony: being used to spread brake pads to collapse the pistons. You can tell if this was the case if both marks of each pad line up if the rotor was not separating them. All together, this sounds like someone was in a real rush to get your job done without a care as too the quality of the work. :down:
Oh, and just a suggestion.....
I'd Find a NEW mechanic!
but that's just me. :2thumbs: