Has anyone had a chatter and pulsation during braking? I have. I took my HHR to the dealer today. They said it was a common problem with these brakes. They turnned the rotors and repaced the pads and added some kind of shim to the brakes.

 

you might like to do the poll on that one, you're not alone https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/problems-service-repairs-42/have-you-had-rotor-issues-poll-13851/

 

These brakes are a joke and an absolute insult to all of us that have purchased HHRs. My car started shaking at 6000 miles and I'm just saving some bucks up to buy decent rotors from one of our members. As far as I'm concerned, these are the types of things that make people switch to Japanese vehicles.

If I seem overly upset about this, it may be that I have found spots that seem to look like rust coming through my beautiful paint job in many spots. They're about the size of a pinhead in about 20 -30 different areas. So I've got the shakes when I break and a paint job that is in question. Not happy...

 

We went to Tahoe and had chatter when going down the grade into South Shore and then it went away and have not had the problem since. Is it just cheap pads or are the rotors the problem?

 

This same thing happened with my ’05 Impala. After about 7000, I had to have all (4) rotors turned (at no costs). Well, around 40000 miles, it happened again!! This time they would not pay to have the rotors turned, it turned out to be the front ones only. I was able to talk them into giving me a discount because this was the second time they had to be turned. It cost me $277!!!

 

Only one solution to get rid of the problem ... get new "non GM' rotors

GM is around for 100 years and they still don't know how to make sufficient rotors ... can you believe this!!!

 

Same here. No point in turning them. Good rotors are about $35 eash and pads about $40. Not worth going to the stealer and having the tell me it's normal wear. Any one have any tricks or gotchas on the replacement?
Thanks

 

Wow. Just called Good Chevrolet in Renton today (where I purchased my HHR, and no, I don't mind calling a spade a spade - I won't protect a stealer).

I called to get the 9,000 mile service and an oil change and asked about two things, one being the rotor issue. They admitted there were problems, and advised that they could add (at the cost of $400 or $200x each side) "cooling ducts" to each rotor. That should solve the problem.

They also offered (at cost to me) to put new rotors on. The same ones, I pointed out, that are failing at 9,000 miles. So, I'll be shopping for a good set and doing it myself and hoping to not ruin my warranty.

Wow, it is amazing what they'll take you for. As for Wolfie, you're right. I'm a GM guy, and it is amazing that they've been doing disc brakes for 40 years plus now and still can't put the extra $10 into each one to make them a bit thicker. Sigh.

 

Mine started to chatter at 350 miles and I finally had the dealer turn them under warranty at 700 miles. I'm at 5100 now and no chatter again. I figure I have about 5000 miles before they do it again.

 

I called to get the 9,000 mile service and an oil change and asked about two things, one being the rotor issue. They admitted there were problems, and advised that they could add (at the cost of $400 or $200x each side) "cooling ducts" to each rotor. That should solve the problem.

They also offered (at cost to me) to put new rotors on. The same ones, I pointed out, that are failing at 9,000 miles. So, I'll be shopping for a good set and doing it myself and hoping to not ruin my warranty.

I really believe if we went to GM's area manager, we could get these for free under warranty, but what's the use. First time I head to Carlisle, PA and go down the big hill, they'll go again. I'm going for the better ones that some of the others here have purchased and get it done right.