If the pad attached to the trunnion works on the structure as wear pad I do not think there is a problem as long as the load can be taken by the the combination of pipe and pad. This calculation is the structural calculation under either line or point contact. You, as pipe stress/support engineer, are responsible to check the stress.

If you are asking this question, you are obviously not a pipe stress or support engineer. I suggest you to talk to the responsible person who made the change, and find out the reason of the change and supporting calculations.