Crap Brakes!??
05-08-2007 | 06:03 PM
#41
Senior Member
Joined: 05-03-2006
Posts: 882
From: Newfoundland, Canada
There is no real limit on the number of times rotors can be machined. However, there is a minimum thickness. Once that minimum is reached, either through wear, machining or a combination of both, the rotors should be replaced. Generally speaking, at least from my experience, after being machined once or twice at the most, the minimum thickness is reached.
06-02-2007 | 08:25 PM
#42
Senior Member
Joined: 02-03-2006
Posts: 1,785
From: So Cal
I just passed 20,000 miles on my HHR and just finished rotating my tires. I checked my brakes and rotors while I was at it (all original). Rotors are clean with zero warp and brakes have plenty of shoe pad to go. They almost look brand new. Overall the brakes look great and unless something comes up, I'll check them again at 30,000 miles.
Kind of dissapointed since once my rotors and pads need replacement I want to buy those cool slotted rotors from truckshop
Ng
Kind of dissapointed since once my rotors and pads need replacement I want to buy those cool slotted rotors from truckshop
Ng
06-02-2007 | 10:49 PM
#43
Joined: 06-02-2007
Posts: 6
From: Northwestern Pennsylvania
HHR brakes
Hello to all,
I have just joined this forum in search of others who may have experienced problems with the brakes of the HHR. I have had my "baby" since last July and I love it. Hubby wanted me to get an Equinox, but had my mind set on the HHR and got one with most of the the options available. Especially had to have the 2LT for the engine. Previous car was a 10 year old manual shift Eagle Talon that sold me on 4 cylinder engines even in our area with mountains to climb. Hubby had a fit as he is a Chevy man (2 Corvettes and a Siverado SS in the garage) with the Talon until the gas prices started to climb.... He really likes the HHR now!!!! Anyways, back to the brakes.... I bought a 3 year service plan at the time I bought this HHR and am glad I did as I have dealer back up with the problems with the brakes. At the first 3,000 miles the rotors had to be turned due to the pulsation, and again at 6,000 miles (it was even worse), at 9,000 miles they replaced the rotors and I haven't reached 12,000 and I am having the pulsation again. It can get so bad that it rattles everything!!!! Including my teeth, so it will be interesting as to what happens. Don't get me wrong I love this car, but brakes are a major issue and it is embarrassing to be driving a brand new car that shimmies and squeals when you apply the brakes. Our vehicles are extremely well maintained by my husband (motorhead). The only other problem I have encountered is that occasionally when I turn on the left turn signal the radio comes on!!! No kidding, perhaps it is possessed.
I plan on doing some graphics this summer to dress up my little "baby" but am going to wait to see what happens with the brakes before I do.
Thanks for listening and any input would be greatly appreciated,
Shorts
Proud owner of a Silverstone 2LT
I have just joined this forum in search of others who may have experienced problems with the brakes of the HHR. I have had my "baby" since last July and I love it. Hubby wanted me to get an Equinox, but had my mind set on the HHR and got one with most of the the options available. Especially had to have the 2LT for the engine. Previous car was a 10 year old manual shift Eagle Talon that sold me on 4 cylinder engines even in our area with mountains to climb. Hubby had a fit as he is a Chevy man (2 Corvettes and a Siverado SS in the garage) with the Talon until the gas prices started to climb.... He really likes the HHR now!!!! Anyways, back to the brakes.... I bought a 3 year service plan at the time I bought this HHR and am glad I did as I have dealer back up with the problems with the brakes. At the first 3,000 miles the rotors had to be turned due to the pulsation, and again at 6,000 miles (it was even worse), at 9,000 miles they replaced the rotors and I haven't reached 12,000 and I am having the pulsation again. It can get so bad that it rattles everything!!!! Including my teeth, so it will be interesting as to what happens. Don't get me wrong I love this car, but brakes are a major issue and it is embarrassing to be driving a brand new car that shimmies and squeals when you apply the brakes. Our vehicles are extremely well maintained by my husband (motorhead). The only other problem I have encountered is that occasionally when I turn on the left turn signal the radio comes on!!! No kidding, perhaps it is possessed.
I plan on doing some graphics this summer to dress up my little "baby" but am going to wait to see what happens with the brakes before I do.
Thanks for listening and any input would be greatly appreciated,
Shorts
Proud owner of a Silverstone 2LT
to the site shorts!!!
06-03-2007 | 06:37 AM
#45
Senior Member
Joined: 10-19-2005
Posts: 20,687
From: Miami
Hello to all,
I have just joined this forum in search of others who may have experienced problems with the brakes of the HHR. At the first 3,000 miles the rotors had to be turned due to the pulsation, and again at 6,000 miles (it was even worse), at 9,000 miles they replaced the rotors and I haven't reached 12,000 and I am having the pulsation again.
I have just joined this forum in search of others who may have experienced problems with the brakes of the HHR. At the first 3,000 miles the rotors had to be turned due to the pulsation, and again at 6,000 miles (it was even worse), at 9,000 miles they replaced the rotors and I haven't reached 12,000 and I am having the pulsation again.
I've heard of being old school and changing the oil every 3,000 miles, but the brakes??
06-03-2007 | 09:10 AM
#46
Senior Member
Joined: 02-15-2007
Posts: 100
From: Charleston, SC
My 2007 2LT had to have the rotors turned a couple days after taking it home. It had about 20 miles on it or so. I didn't hit water with the brakes hot, panic stopped, or was hard on the brakes. Actually I babied the car for a long time when it was new. Brakes have been fine since. Got about 5500 miles on it now.
06-03-2007 | 10:53 AM
#47
Senior Member
Joined: 04-05-2006
Posts: 342
From: Greenville, MS
Shorts, cant help with the brakes, mine have had no problems with over 16K on it. As far as the radio, the turn signal and warning comes thru the radio but it should not turn on. There is a TSB on this along with sometimes getting a popping sound from the radio. Mine did that and even would play sometimes without being turned on or using the turn signal. Dealer reprogramed the BCM and it fixed the problem.. Hope this helps.
06-03-2007 | 09:51 PM
#48
Joined: 06-02-2007
Posts: 6
From: Northwestern Pennsylvania
Shorts, cant help with the brakes, mine have had no problems with over 16K on it. As far as the radio, the turn signal and warning comes thru the radio but it should not turn on. There is a TSB on this along with sometimes getting a popping sound from the radio. Mine did that and even would play sometimes without being turned on or using the turn signal. Dealer reprogramed the BCM and it fixed the problem.. Hope this helps.
Thanks a bunch guys
I love this forum as anyone who loves an HHR has got to be great!!!
06-14-2007 | 09:34 AM
#49
Senior Member
Joined: 07-12-2006
Posts: 390
From: Derby, KS
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.
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.
06-14-2007 | 11:47 AM
#50
Platinum Member
Joined: 05-09-2006
Posts: 6,805
From: "Upland" Mesa, Arizona
I have it access to it, but is to large to post.....13 pages. Filters, blocks, etc. prohibit coping it (easily) from the site that I use. I did find a way around it (as indicated in another post), but it is a long process.
You probably don't need the complete TSB, unless you are technically inclined. It provides, in detail, how and what the technician is to perform to each of a specific symptom. Also, speaks of how to calibrate, correctly, the equipment to make the repair.