Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
-Mariah GM Customer Service
I've just emailed you the requested info not too long ago.
However, I forgot to mention that last Friday I experienced such heavy vibrations when I had to hit to break on the expressway, it scared the mess out of me.
Due to that, I couldn't wait any longer for somebody at Chevy to finally step up to their responsibilities and I went to fix the brakes; new rotors and pads on both sides.
While taking off the caliper bracket, my friend (a certified mechanic) immediately noticed that one of the sliding pins was dead froze in the bracket; it was completely stuck due to rust. Being this froze/stuck, the problem must have been going on since day one, but the GM certified & trained mechanics didn't manage the fix this although the car was at the Goodwrench service center four times.
We also noticed that on this bracket/brake pads (back) was so much grease it wasn't funny anymore. Which is another indication that your mechanics only tried to patch the problem rather than fixing it for good.
Considering that due to this frozen bolt there must have been at least some constant pressure on the brakes, it's not surprising that this triggered the traction control warn light which then triggered the check engine light - which is another often reported issue in this forum.
As there wasn't any auto parts store around that actually had caliper bracket for this car on stock, we broke free the sliding bolt, sanded off all the rust on the bolt and inside the bracket, greased it well and put it back together.
The brakes are working just fine for now, but this "work around" can't be a permanent solution especially since the plastic boot on this one pin/bolt is broken; a brand new caliper kit is needed.
Now there are some questions to be answered:
- who's gonna reimburse for my expenses I had to fix one problem GM mechanics failed to fix?
- who's gonna cover the expenses to fix the problem with the Traction Control Warn Light / Check Engine Light?
If Chevy / GM is finally stepping up to the plate and do what should have been done from the beginning on - taking care of the customer - I'll be happy to report it here and everywhere else....
See my reply in post #157: "Brake problems might need replacement of the calipers with rebuilt calipers."
The people with grabbing or shaking feeling when the brakes are applied will often have a caliper that's not working correctly. The other cause is a warped rotor which will often be felt at relatively low speeds as a pedal vibration.
Rotors warp from abuse such as overheating, driving through puddles of water with the brakes very hot from a recent stop, or dragging calipers that don't release fully.
Once a rotor is overheated or warped, in my opinion, it's done and needs to be replaced.
To those who have come here and complain loudly that their disk brakes are shaking, replace the rotors, calipers (and caliper pins), and put on new pads. Your problem will be gone.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Mariah GM Customer Service
That would explain why others had their rotors turned and the problem returned. I still surmise that caliper slides and their lubrication especially in super hot climates and super salted climates is a problem.
I also am not a fan of turning brake rotors, off or on the car. Medium quality replacements are relatively inexpensive, especially if you are able to replace them yourself. And highest quality, such as Raybestos Super Technology or NAPA Ultra rotors with a rust proofed powdered coating on the nonworking surfaces to keep them from showing rust, cost not a whole lot more for the extra quality they offer.
By GM not having the calipers removed to remove the brackets holding them, they probably missed a lot of binding caliper slides and bolts that needed work.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I have been a faithful Chevy owner / leaser for the last 6 cars but have been seriously considering dumping this HHR and getting a Japanese car (Sounds bad i Know). I have had my front end shaking pretty much since I bought it and have tried everything and the dealers and I have tried a few just go with what I think ... they don't tell me there is a serious issue. There definitely should be a recall for these cars. :mad:
I apologize that you are experiencing issues with your vehicle. Can you please email me your VIN and current mileage so I can look into it further? You can get my email by clicking on gmcustsvc. Thank you,
Mariah GM Customer Service
All Issues I have had are now satisfied by the dealer. I appreciate your help.
Andy
- Mariah GM Customer Service
Welcome to the "Gee,these HHR's really suck" Club!
I'm upside down in mine or I would sure get rid of it! Good luck!
judi
Anybody hear of any class action suits yet?
2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech, 2006 Acura TL w/nav
Mariah who contacted me via this forum in regards to my problems, actually managed to have Chevy/GM Customer assistance contacting me.
They advised me to bring the vehicle to an authorized GM repair shop for diagnostic/inspection and to tell them that I have an open case with Chevy/GM when making an appointment.
Now here's the deal; both repair shops I went insisted on charging about $120 inspection fee and when I told them I have a case open with Chevy, oh boy, the expression on their face sure changed.
I contacted my "case worker" who confirmed that I would have to pay the $120 out of my pocket. However, he could NOT guarantee me whether or not Chevy is going to assist me further, all depending on the result of the inspection. He said if result shows to be a manufacturer problem they'll take care of it, else not.
I think Chevy is missing the point here: their authorized dealer/repair shop failed to fix the problem despite of 4 appointments. So it doesn't matter if it is a manufacturer problem or a "wear&tear" problem. Fact is this repair shop did not manage to fix problem so Chevy needs to step up!
Oh, considering all the posts here from people having the same issues, it's pretty save to say that this is a manufacturer problem, yet there is no sign so far that Chevy recognized this or that a recall has been issued.
Basically, Chevy wants me to take a $120 gamble on a 50/50 chance. Guess, just another way of screwing money out of people in a half-hearted attempt to (supposingly) trying to help.
Well, were I live I haven't seen money growing on a tree yet, so I can't afford gambling with $120.
We were ALWAYS Chevy people--no more! We have had 3 Corvettes in the last 10 years--NO MORE! I'm upside down now-but will get rid of this car as soon as I can and because of the way I was treated I'll buy a Ford(spit,spit) or an import. Damn thing rides like alumber wagon now,too. Beautiful bright shiny red,tho!!
If I may stand on a soap box for a moment. The ONLY way to solve Americas problems is for us to buy products made in America. But America need to start making stuff worth buying... I think Ford may be on the right track.
I'm looking at Ford and imports that will take care of the problems they create. Also not going to buy a the latest craze, some new fad car. Stick with the old long time production models that have been proven.
If anyone is interested here is the info. General Motors World Headquarters 300 Renaissance Center Drive Detroit, MI 48265. CEO is Edward Whitacre and the North America President is Mark Reuss.. I wrote both and did get a call within 4 days...waiting to see what happens this afternoon...
Mine is the LAST Chevy I will ever buy.
2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech, 2006 Acura TL w/nav
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Have the calipers been replaced?
What tires do you have on the car? How many miles? Have they been checked for runout and have they been Road Force balanced?
Tell me more about when the "shakes" occurs. Speed. Type of driving?
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I still think it's a dragging brake problem. Dragging heats the rotor and pads. The rotor warps. So it's extra tight where the warp occurs. That leads to a kicking effect every time the rotor hits that portion.
I see a caliper that doesn't slide properly on its pins as potential cause of drag. I also see the ABS unit as potential for not releasing all the fluid back from the calier piston on release of the pedal. I see a brake line where it's rubber internally defective and not releasing the fluid back from the caliper as a possible source. I guess the master cylinder and power assist could be not releasing all the way causing a slight drag.
What brand and type of rotors was put on as replacements.
Myself I would have used the rear drum brakes and emergency brake (parking brake) to stop the car when the front was doing this and not touching the regular brake pedal. Then after the car was stopped, I would have felt carefully around the two front wheels to see how hot each rotor was. If they were different in temperature, that would indicate the hot one was dragging, most likely. The other possibility might be that one was not sliding on the caliper or the piston was NOT applying that brake and it was cooler. Therefore the other brake does most of the work and gets hot and warped and... so on. Years ago one company used plastic pistons inside the calipers, which could warp and drag and not work right.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Only general/toll-free numbers may be posted.
kcram - Pickups/Wagons Host
Good bye to GM.
Work Done:
1. New rotors
2. New pads
Any Suggestions?