1999 Grand AM GT brakes

mjtr21 · 04-17-2007, 07:46 PM

I have a 99 GT and I have been having wierd noises with my brakes. When I am sitting still and not moving and I push the brake pedal I can hear a creaking noise. Every time I push the brakes it creaks. It is getting very annoying. My cousin has a 2003 Grand AM SE and she has the same problem. Has anyone else had this problem and fixed it? It only does this in the front wheels and more on the left wheel. It is not a sqeak but a creak noise. I'm guessing something down there needs to be oiled or lubed. I don't think it's the sliders though. Please help. Also what is the lifespan on the rotors. I just had new rotors put on in January and I think they are already warping. I put the brakes on at highway speeds and the steering wheel shakes but it's not that bad. Does this mean my rotors are warped already? Thanks.

crazy Jim · 04-17-2007, 08:25 PM

Mine creak as well, I don't worry about it. You may have over-torqued your wheels after the brake job (fairly common on these vehicles). If you loosen them and retorque them properly you may be able to save the rotors.

xeroinfinity · 04-18-2007, 12:02 AM

It is actually pretty easy to fix if its what I'm thinking.

The slide pins after a long time loose thier grease so they start to get seazed up, which actually makes them not work as well.
If it goes to long you can damage the caliper bracket that the pins slide into.

Happens on lots of diff cars...

justin0717 · 04-18-2007, 12:25 AM

There is a TSB from GM, noise is common for all n bodies. The noise is from the caliper itself. For some reason on n bodies the piston inside the caliper after a while will start to creak when moving in and out, when applying brakes. You may notice it more when the brakes are lower. You can push the piston all the way back in, and it may stop the noise for the time being, but it will come back eventually. But anyways i replaced both front calipers and the noise went away.

xeroinfinity · 04-18-2007, 12:46 AM

I have not heard of the calipers making to much noise.
Not seen that TSB either, over 700 TSBs.
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/pr.../tsbsearch.cfm

If the caliper creaks, then it would be bad though.
Ever creak I get is from the slider pins binding

justin0717 · 04-18-2007, 12:50 AM

Ill get the TSB for ya when i get to work tommorow. It applies to all n bodies. At my Chevy dealership we do it on alot of old body malibu's.

Oh and i agree with you on the slider pins, they could also be making noise, but on the n body its more likely the calipers.

mjtr21 · 04-18-2007, 07:23 AM

well my cousin had hers fixed she said the guy at the pontiac dealer lubed something and then it has worked fine for almost a year now. no creaks. so i think it is the slider pins. ill take them off later today. thanks.

mjtr21 · 04-18-2007, 07:37 AM

i forgot just in case i do replace the calipers, whats the difference between an unloaded caliper and a loaded one. i didnt notice a difference. also what brand would i get. thanks.

justin0717 · 04-18-2007, 09:05 AM

Subject: Brake Noise/Creak During Slow Speed Braking (Lubricate Brake Caliper) #04-05-23-004 - (09/20/2004)

Models: 1999-2003 Chevrolet Malibu

2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic

1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero

1999-2004 Pontiac Grand Am

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Condition
Some customers may comment on a creak type noise occurring when applying the brakes. It is usually heard only during slow speed brake maneuvers. If this condition exists, it should be able to be duplicated when the vehicle is not moving by depressing the brake and listening for the noise from the wheel-well/caliper area.

Cause
This condition may be caused by a caliper piston to seal interface issue during brake apply. If the caliper is removed and the piston is pushed back, the noise may be eliminated. This is usually only a temporary fix.

Correction
DO NOT REPLACE CALIPER.

To repair this condition, lubricate the entire circumference of the seal at the caliper piston interface using Kluber Fluid and the following procedure:

Remove the wheel and reinstall two lug nuts. This will hold the rotor to the bearing surface so debris does not fall between the surfaces and cause lateral runout (LRO).
Remove the bottom bolt from the caliper assembly without disturbing the hydraulic system.

Swing the caliper assembly up so the caliper assembly is facing upward.
Thoroughly clean the piston boot with GM approved Brake Clean. Pay particular attention to the area where the boot interfaces with the piston.
Using compressed air, dry the piston/boot area.

Remove the cap from the tip of the bottle and carefully insert the tip, P/N 89022161, between the boot and piston, inward of the piston boot groove.
From the top side of the piston (reference diagram), inject the lubricant. With the caliper in the tilted position, the lubricant will flow down and work its way around the entire circumference of the seal. Let the caliper body assembly remain in this position for a minimum of 2 minutes to allow for the fluid to completely work its way around the seal.
Push the piston into the seal to ensure the lubricant is on both the piston and seal surface.
Important: Excessive fluid could appear as a failure and lead to a comeback. To prevent unnecessary future repairs, it is important to only use one bottle per side and make sure excess fluid is wiped away.

Wipe away any excessive fluid.
Reassemble the caliper to the vehicle.
Tighten
Tighten the caliper bolts to 31N·m(23 lb ft).

Repeat steps 1- 9 on the opposite side of the vehicle, if necessary.
Pump the brake pedal to push the caliper piston back into place.
Reinstall the wheel and test drive the vehicle to verify repair.
Parts Information
Part Number
Description

89022161
Service Kit -- Kluber Fluid

Important: The service kit will consist of a "one--time use only" bottle which will service one caliper.

Parts are currently available from GMSPO.

Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:

Labor Operation
Description
Labor Time

H9702
Brake Caliper -- Lubricate (One Side)
0.3 hr

H9703
Brake Caliper -- Lubricate (Both Sides)
0.6 hr

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.
WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION

© Copyright General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

I stand corrected gm wants the caliper to be lubed, but thats for a warranty concern to save them money. Lubing will make it go away for now. But it will come back. Thats why i replace them. But you can lube them for now to make it go away.

As far as a loaded caliper vs. unloaded, A loaded caliper comes with the pads and pad/caliper bracket. An unloaded does not. I got my calipers from napa, not sure what brand they were, but they were good reman's. No problems with them yet, replaced last year.

xeroinfinity · 04-18-2007, 03:42 PM

I prefer "new" as apposed to "remanufactured".
Dont know who rebuids them,
could be some guy doing life and doesnt give a rats A** about the work , thats just my opinion.

Good Luck

justin0717 · 04-18-2007, 04:28 PM

True, but the remans i got have a lifetime warranty so...either way if something happens i can get another.

mjtr21 · 04-18-2007, 10:23 PM

well i took my left side apart and tried to find the noise and i couldnt. so i moved the piston out as far as i could and put lube on it. i put i tback together and still creaked the same. then i took caliper off and took out both slider pins and both the top and bottom were NOT LUBED. so i lubed them right up and put it back together and ta-da no more creaking. but i noticed my right side was also doing it but not as bad so tomorrow i can fix that one. thanks for the suggestions but it was not the piston giving me problems. it was the slider pins rubbing metal on metal because of no lube on them. i hope this helps anybody else.

justin0717 · 04-19-2007, 01:32 AM

well good to hear ya got it figured out. guess there are different creaking noises from the GA brakes

xeroinfinity · 04-19-2007, 09:38 AM

When I bought my GT last year the pins were so bad they were seazed up and it took a lot of work to get them out without damaging the caliper mounting bracket.

Glad you got solved!

mjtr21 · 04-23-2007, 04:53 PM

well i decided to take apart the right side and the top slider pin came out but the bottom one is rusted right in. it will NOT come out. tried everything pb blaster wrenches and stuff but nothin. so im gonn buy a new mountng bracket only $16.46 at Advance Auto Parts. then prolby two new slider pins. well thanks. still not creaking noise from left side.

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