I'll mention this one more time......

The TSB, regarding rotor resurfacing, explicitely states...to only resurface the rotors 2 times. After that they MUST be replaced.

Now, if your dealer did not perform the original brake/rotor warranty repairs as prescribed, then they may have a problem with GM on the replacement.

The Service Manager or GM Technician members can problem enlighten you on the "technicals" of this.

 

This is the best post I have seen on this issue. You can go a long way towards helping yourself by observing what DreamHHR has posted. Here's a tip...when you come off an expressway ramp and have to stop, DON'T just come to a stop and hold your foot firmly on the brake pedal. You are heat soaking a spot on the rotor and contributing to warping (number 4 on the list). Brake gently and leave enough room to roll forward while you wait. A few feet is plenty.

 

I've got 21,800 miles on my 06 HHR. At 10,000 dealer turned rotors, again at 17,000 and just a week ago at 21,500. took a short trip to Ohio last Saturday, can feel the pulse already.
I have called GM every time I get home so I'm on record. Other than sandblasting of paint before running boards were installed I have had no warranty problems. GM did cover the paint & gave me free running boards.
I to got the same story about the break dust sticking to the rotors, I was even told the rotors had impressions in them from the pads ? I don't understand how a pad would leave a foot print in the steel rotor?
I have a '96 GMC Jimmy, 138,000 miles. I have put 5 sets of pads on the front and NEVER turned the rotors. Just last fall I put new shoes on the rear for the very first time. I know the front breaks are applied before the rear. Like a 80% to 20% on the rear.

 

i never had any problems till just a few weeks ago when i hit about 15,500 miles..started to notice the vibration when i hit the brakes...took it in to the dealer last week...they turned the rotors...now every since i got it back the rotors make a grinding noise.....so it goes back tomorrow...

 

Almost 14,000 kms on my HHR and I am now getting the brake vibration. I'll take it in this week to get it taken care of.

When it comes time for me to buy rotors I'll be getting drilled and slotted rotors and beefier pads.

 

For what it's worth, I have a 2 LT with 8,600 miles on it and noticed the shaking in the steering wheel at highway speeds when braking. The dealer resurfaced the rotors.

 

Snoppy, can you provide me with the TSB number about not turning the rotors more than twice, Please.

 

The TSB I was referring to is 00-05-22-002G, I believe. But, after looking through it, I can't find anything to support my statement. I'm reasonably sure I saw that someplace. I feel stupid about this and I'll keep looking.

In the meantime, the above referenced TSB seems to be the most current...perhaps with a newer amended "H" suffix. This provides a detailed 11 page description to the dealers technicians in how the rotor and brake complaints are to be addressed....mechanically and verbally, also stating that to comply with warranty requirements and reimbursement, the dealer must perform "steps" exactly as stated. It is detailed and time consuming for the tech.'s and I am told many are not complying. That may be where some of the continuing complaints are coming from.....and also prevent GM from acknowledging a dealers warranty replacement claim.

If you can get a copy of the TSB, it would be worthy of reading. It explains, among other "things", what GM has determined causes the brake pulsations, and why they occur. I mentioned some in previous posts. A lot is human error...by Chev. technicians, aftermarket tire, brake, wheel installers and the vehicle owners.

 

GM has always had a warp problem with their rotors and probably always will. I have had many GM vehicles and have worked in a garage and this is one of the biggest complaints on GM vehicles. I have had most of my problems start on my 86 Monte SS, and have had brake shake on about every vehicle I've owned since then. My Astro went 95,000 miles before I replaced the pads, the rotors were shaking real bad, and when I checked them, the inside of the rotor was all but corroded up and looked as if they had not been used in years. I had a 99 and it had 95,000 miles when I sold it last year. My wifes 96 Monte Carlo, and now her 03 Impala has warped rotors. My Daughters 03 Gran am and even my HHR has the brake shake now. I have to say that GM is very Cheap in the rotors they put on, as most foreign cars don't have this issue much, unless they are abused. I have turned many of these, and it does get them down to a thin rotor after about 2 times. The only cure is to buy after market high performance rotors. I haven't yet, but I don't use my brakes hard soo I really don't feel it soo bad, unless I have to make a hard/fast stop. I can feel mine now as I roll to a stop if I use the brakes to really slow down, as long as it is a slow stop, I'm alright.

 

"cvroger...", thanks for your post.

While everyone can give examples to support their personal assumptions, I'll disagree with the, "GM always had a problem with warped rotors", comment.

Not trying to argue or to directly support GM in this issue, but I can give examples to support my premise that could override yours.

I have had, counting close relatives, somewhere close to 50-60 GM vehicles in the past 30 years. Myself and family have NEVER had a warped rotor problem. Several vehicles had very, very high mileage (3 sets of pads...no rotors...in almost 200,000 miles).

Because of this, I still believe MOST of the problems encountered with the rotors are human error and "lot rot". I'm just saying, that most of the people here (including dealer tech's)say they are performing the necessary r/r's correctly....but in fact, are not. For example, notice how many tires are installed on rims and the rims then installed directly to the hubs, without cleaning both of the mating surfaces. You would not believe how meticulous I am when doing wheel work....so, that may be part of the reason I never experienced problems others are expressing.

The other may be the weather. Which is hot and dry most of the time. Only moisture my vehicle experiences, is the occassional rainfall and the weekly car wash. So lot rust and such, which are critical issues to consider according to GM's TSB, may be minimized or obsolete.

Your comment supporting mine regarding only resurfacing rotors twice, is appreciated. But, now my logic is questioning the validity of that. For example, what if only minimal "cutting" was required on each of the two repairs and the thickness of the rotor is still above (maybe way above)the minimal established standard. Why should the rotor be replaced if metal material is still above the minimum requirement??? Yes, ideally....but not realistically or financially.

GM's TSB ideal maintenance, is to have pads replaced BEFORE rotor resurfacing is necessary....but try to find a Chev. dealer or brake shop that will install without resurfacing.

But, who knows, I may have rotor problems in the future and will need to post here for suggestions.