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Click on the above link and it will take you to a topic that is specifically about brakes and problems. I'm sure there's someone there who will be able to address your pedal problem.
The topic you're in is primarily about HHRs and you're asking about a Chevy truck. You'll get better help there
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.ef062ac/1895#MSG1895
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I am from GM Customer Service. Can you please email me with more details of the brake issue? Thank you,
Mariah GM Customer Service
Hi! Back in Nov/Dec 09 I started to hear a squeal from my brakes, appeared to be the “wear indicator”. I friend of mine, Certified Mechanic, check the brakes indicated they needed to be replaced. I purchased replacement brake pads from a local Auto Zone. He replaced the pads and had the rotors turned. Within a week or so the brakes began squeaking all over again. We thought it was coming from the rear brakes this time, he checked the rear pads and we determined they would need to be replaced in the near future, however, not a major concern. Attention turned back to front brakes; he checked the pads, found they were metallic and not ceramic as requested. Another set of brake pads were purchase, ceramic this time and placed on the car. Within several weeks the brakes are squealing once again. If I am driving at a hire spread and get on them they stop the vehicle and do not squeal, however, slow speed driving 35-55 mph stops will cause the pads to squeal
I would change them out again except it is costing me money each time .so I guess I’m stuck with the brakes.
******************************************************************************
I would change them out again except it is costing me money each time .so I guess I’m stuck with the brakes.
Chevy HHR Brake Problems 4/15/10 112
Message #112
RE: Squeeky Brakes [kymmb]
by gmcustsvc
Apr 15, 2010 (12:35 pm)
Hello, I am from GM Customer Service. Can you please email me with more details of the brake ...
Thank you for getting back to me. Have you ever taken the vehicle to the dealership to have it diagnosed? Is the vehicle still under warranty? Thank you,
Mariah GM Customer Service
wth!
I am from GM Customer Service. Does the vehicle currently have the shaking issue, or has the vehicle been fixed? Thank you,
Mariah GM Customer Service
Dragging a brake, whatever the cause, heats the rotor and warps them. Then when you apply the brakes on a hot, warped rotor you feel the pulsating really strongly.
Another problem can be applying brakes hard for an emergency hard stop and then sitting with the foot on the brake. Ideally when the brake rotors and pads are really hot, letting the car creep to move the pads along the rotors while they cool helps prevent damage to the rotor.
Driving through water puddles when the rotors are hot after a strong stop also will warp rotors.
If you are replacing only the pads, you probably are making a mistake because you should be replacing the caliper with rebuilt calipers.
What kind of repair service has been doing the replacement work for you? My guess would be you need a repairman that knows the vehicles and knows what parts need to be replaced.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
and since they wont listen... and i am a mechanic... i am doing the work... i have not replaced the calipers as they insist that they are not the problem...
the brakes are not rode... as it is mostly highway kilometers on this car..
You haven't read posts about brake problems with Hondas wearing out rapidly and some of the toyotas?
>The real problem is that they did nothing before when I took the car in for service!
That's the real problem.
>they told me they would turn the rotor under warranty
It's my opinion turning the rotors won't last long. Thinner rotors redevelope problems quicker.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Excuse me for helping.
Don't let the trunklid hit you on the way to the Mitsubishi dealer.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
You can contact Mariah, the GM Customer Service agent, via email by clicking on her username in her posts (#117 in this discussion).
kcram - Pickups/Wagons Host
I saw your post regarding your Chevy, and I would like to get further information about your issue with your vehicle. You can click on my name and it will show my email information. Please email me with your concerns and we will go from there. Thank you,
Mariah GM Customer Service
Thanks
I wonder who did the work? Are you shure they truly turned them? Take them off yourself and taken to Napa auto . Another trick is to bevel the edges of the PADS , just a slight amount will do.
I am from GM Customer Service. Did the dealership do the rotors and the new pads? If so, did you take the vehicle back and let them know that you are still experiencing a problem? Can you please email me with more information so I can look at this further? You can access my email by clicking on my name. Thank you,
Mariah GM Customer Service
I repair my own, just fixed the very poorly designed heater fan that gets wet in any rain storm.
The cowling leaks and ruins the speed resistor and the fan motor.
Good luck.
I've been pouring through all the messages about brake problems - kinda relieved in a way that I'm not the only one. I think I have you all beat though.
4th set of rotors, and 7 turnings - all by 42,000 miles, and 1st time less than 5,000. Dealer (2 different) claims unusual every time I've gone - no documented problems with HHR brakes - "HUH" I said (lots a times).
Began asking back at the beginning if there could be a system problem - don't drive it hard, and even the last 2 sets of after-market rotors allowed (bigger/thicker)have done the same thing. Have even pointed out all along that calipers in front "ping" when released after rotors warm - suggesting staying engaged after stopping, and explaining the persistent warping of rotors. Told each time not the problem or the pads would be worn to nothing - and they look brand new! Tech article suggests pads likely glazed and hardened from all the heat, and that is why they still look new after 42,000 miles, and why keep warping. GM just told me today (via district manager) they are not going to do what it takes to fix it - I have to start paying. This after more than twenty very patient visits associated with loud electronic whirring over the speakers that follows RPM of engine whether stereo on or not. Great trys, but neither problem fixed. Dealers great to this point, but "the new GM" as it was explained to me - not so much. Love the car, but not enough to spend $200.00 every other month to keep the brakes working right. I'm open to suggestions, but looks like lemon law/arbitration on near horizon. I think anyone would say I've given them enough chances to fix the vehicle the way it was intended to work. Travers we were looking at on hold for now.
Tim
My suggestion would be to find an aftermarket repair shop recommended by others you know where they have used the people for years and the shop has a good reputation. Have them diagnose what you've done and see what they suggest. Just pay them for a diagnosis. Let them know up front you may not be having work done.
Without information about how the brakes were used after rotors and pads were replace, I can only speculate. When you suggest the pads or calipers make a ping after a hot stop, I suspect the pad material is sticking to the rotors.
When I find a link, I'll post it. There are many suggestions as to how pads should be broken in, along with the new rotors. The pads need to be heated up so that the material in the pad coats the rotor with the melt. Then the pads are actually rubbing against the pads own material rather than the metal of the rotor. This requires several stops from a higher speed but without coming to complete stop to avoid leaving a glob on the rotor. Cooling the rotors by moving in the air and then repeating the fairly hard stop a few times. The last link I read about this said when you can smell the new pads, then this has been done effectively.
When you make a hard stop and sit with the pads pressed against the rotor, the system is very hot. The pad's material is melted into the material on the rotor. When you start moving there is a clump of resin on one spot. Then when you stop again, my thinking is that the goop is affecting the heating of the rotor in that area with the extra friction when it hits the pads as a high spot. Eventually the hot area on the rotor is warped.
A thought just came to me. The rear brakes are drums. Have they been checked?
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Also I have had that knocking or clunking when the frame is cold in the A.M. I have checked all under the front end not finding anything. It might be shocks?? Dont' know.
I am from GM Customer Service. I am sorry that you are experiencing concerns with your vehicle. Can you please email me more information about your situation so I can look into it further? You can access my email by clicking on my name, Thank you,
Mariah GM Customer Service
We were told by a mechanic the HHR brakes are like having bicycle brakes on a locomotive. When we told GM our rotors,etc went out at at 26K the GM people told us to downshift more if we go down hills!OR avoid hills! Ha! What a farce. I tell EVERYONE I meet what GM did and how much it cost us. We were ALWAYS GM people-no more. The next car I buy is a Honda or Toyota-or even a(spit,spit) FORD! We've actually thought about taing it back to the dealer and tossing the keys at him!
I also have a 2007 HHR plagued with brake/suspension problems, The problems began when we test drove the car the day we purchased it. The HHR was very quiet with the exception of a scuffing/humming noise coming from the front end. We mentioned the noise to the salesman who reported the noise to the dealership service dept. and they informed us it was from the car sitting on the lot for several months (tires/bearings or brakes) and should dissipate shortly. The noise persisted and we complained at @ 1,700. At this time I told the service dept. I thought the brake rotors were warped or wheel bearings might be bad. The GM dealer test drove the car but could find nothing wrong as it was raining the day of service and they couldn't hear anything. The noise & vibration continued and we took car back at 3,259 miles The dealer service dept. tried to make good by checking the car and turning the rotors as advized by GM. This seemed to help a little but noise & scuffing returned shortly & got worse. We took the car back at 9,770 miles and dealership service dept. tried re-torquing the suspension per GM tech. problems continued. Finally my wife drove the car on a long trip (1,200 miles rounf trip) and called me when coming home the bearing noise was so loud I could hear it over the phone! We took car back the next day @ 14,702 miles and the dealer replaced both front wheel bearings (one of which was undoubtably bad from day one). Grinding & metal on metal noise solved! Brake problem continues. We took car back in @ 22,975 miles and dealer "re finished" the rotors for the 2nd or 3rd time (I have lost track and can't tell from the service docs. as this was all done "good will"). The re finishing worked for about 10,000 miles at which time pulsation/shaking and grinding slowly returned to the point that I gave up on GM and replaced the front rotors and pads @ 49,000 miles with NAPA premium products myself. I am very disappointed with the quality of the HHR and fear that the steering/suspension has been damaged/worn and will be selling it and replacing it with a VW Jetta in the next few months. Please note I am/was a Chevy fan and still own a 2005 Suburban w/80,000 miles and original rotors & pads. The only major repairs a failed trans @ 36,250 (GM replaced & I paid $200 goodwill) and a failed speedo cluster (GM replaced & I paid labor). The Dealer is a standup organization but the HHRs brakes are severely flawed & should be considered a lemon or at least recalled and re fitted with improved brakes. I will buy the Jetta from them if they have a VW franchise or can find one for me and continue to have my Suburban serviced there. But I,m not sure I will buy any more GM products due to the manufacturers failure to correct the underlying problem. I think Gm was aware of the issue and revamped/ improve the brakes on subsequent model years but blew off early production years as the 36,000 mile wrnty expired. Your assistance would be greatly appreciated. Mike Cryne
I apologize that you are experiencing an issue with your vehicle. Can you please email me more information about your situation so I can look into it further? You can get my email by clicking on my name. Thank you,
Mariah GM Customer Service
So, yesterday June 5, 2010 almost three years later I took it to a local car shop (reputable in our state) and they fixed it and confirmed what I have been screaming about. I was tired of arguing with the dealer. It costs me 464.00. I think GM should be looking into this...but again they are like the dealership...who cares? Hey I think GM should reimburse me...no car that is only 2.5 years old should be repairing the brake system and replacing rotors. My 12 year old OLDS doesn't even have that kind of issues..go figure...warvin
warvin
When I had to redo my rotors and brakes at 26k I talked w/ no-customer service at exec.level. the company line is no problems have been reported....they gave me a years worth of oil changes--and sent me packing. So....I make it a point to tell ANYONE who will listen not to buy a Chevy HHR -and why. I actually had material removed from an e-mail I posted on this site because I gave my e-mail address to try to get a group complaint going!
I am not sure why you got the fatal message when trying to email me. My email is socialmedia@gm.com. Thank you,
Mariah GM Customer Service
The brake problems have been a nightmare since about 6,000 miles and at the very least every 8,000 miles thereafter. My car has 77,000 miles on it now and the dealer (s) CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. They have replaced the rotors, turned the rotors, replaced front end parts, and nothing has corrected the problem.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I am sorry that you are experiencing a concern with your vehicle. Can you please email me your contact information, dealership, current mileage, VIN and what is going on with the brakes? You can get my email by clicking on my name. Thank you,
Mariah GM Customer Service
Based on my experience I will NEVER EVER buy another Chevy nor any other GM product again. The poorest customer service ever at the dealer ship and the most incompetent idiots in the associated "Good Wrench" service department!
Brought the car in to address breaking noises, car came out with vibrations which did not exist before but break noise still persisted. Car was back at dealer another 3 times for the same problem. Finally break noise was gone... ...for about 3-4 months and now came back. Mechanics were too stupid to fix the vibrations they caused and started blaming it on the tires.
For anybody who had / is having bad experience with dealer, join the facebook group "Payback time for crook car dealers!" and let people now which dealer to avoid.
I had rotor issues with mine also, but I don't use the brakes any more then I have to and managed to get around 85k miles on the first ones. My independent mechanic likely replaced them with ones from some auto parts store and so far after 12k miles I haven't had further problems. Time will tell if the end up working better.
I apologize that your experience with your dealership wasn't a better one. Can you please email me your VIN, dealership, current mileage and contact info? Can you also provide some more details in your situation? You can get my email by clicking on my name. Thank you,
Mariah GM Customer Service
I'll send you the details if not today the latest by tomorrow.