2002 Impala Brake Issues

Our 2002 Impala started warping front brake rotors about 6 months after we bought the car.

We've had it at the dealer about every 2 or 3 months. They have replaced the brake pads and turned the rotors 3 times replaced the pads and rotors 3 times - until the warranty ran out.

We put a lot of miles on our car - 71,032 - mostly highway miles.

My wife is the main driver. We are both very easy on brakes - the brakes in all of our previous cars have far surpassed the manufacturers life expectancy.
For instance, my 1989 C1500 has 178,000 miles on it and only has it's 3rd set of brakes put on about 20,000 miles ago...

The dealer has recommended we put after market pads on the car and replace the rotors with factory parts.

I would like to know if anyone else has run into this problem.

I would also like to know if there are aftermarket rotors with heat vents available such as the ones available for the late 90' SS Impalas.

Also, upon inspection, I noticed that the disc brakes on the rear of the car are about half the size of the front pads.
I'm no engineer, but this seems odd to me.

Thoughts?

i had the same problems try this site, they have some pretty good aftermarket rotors. http://www.powerslot.com/

i had the same problems try this site, they have some pretty good aftermarket rotors. http://www.powerslot.com/

How long have you had them on your car?

The only problem I see is that they use OEM blanks.
According to a mechanic friend, the OEM discs might be part of the problem - very thin, inexpensively made, meet minimum requirements. Same goes for the pads.

I just found another source - http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/index.jsp
They have two brands: BAER and EBC and I'm trying to find someone who has them on their car.

Thanks for the input.

My car had new rotors and they were turned twice within the first 18 mos. after purchasing. As for pads, I can't even recall how many times in the past two years they've been replaced. I just had new pads put on less than three months ago and car already has bad vibration when stopping, guess time for new rotors again......

Ditto Here, I thought I just had a "Special" car
brakes were new when we bought our 02 and within a week, mass vibration. I sure hope there is a fix for this problem...

Okay, here are a few bits of information I hope everyone can use.

I talked with the guys at TireRack.com about this issue and they gave me some recommendations.

For the Impala and normal, everyday driving they recommended Power Slot Brake Rotors paired with EBC Greenstuff Brake Pads.

I found a number of forums online and there were more positive then negative strings - if you read “into” the negative comments you’ll understand that the writer is using them for racing or very hard driving which could warp anything on the market.

The guy I talked with also told me one of the reasons rotors get warped is improper lug tightening. With the new alloy rims, it is more important than ever to follow manufacturers torque specs and the proper star pattern.

Here’s something I found from GM Technical Service Bulletin 00-05-22-002A regarding lug tightening:

• A torque limiting socket or torque wrench must be used to insure that the wheel nuts are tightened to specification. This should be done in 3 steps using the star pattern:

1. Hand tighten all 5 lug ruts using the star pattern.
2. Tighten all 5 nuts to approximately 1/2 spec. using the star pattern.
3. Tighten all 5 nuts to full spec. using the star pattern.

• Never use lubricants or penetrating fluids on wheel studs, nuts or mounting surfaces. Wheel nuts, studs and mounting surfaces must be clean and dry.

There are other alternatives to Power Slot Rotors. EBC and Baer also have rotors available for the Impala (also sold by TireRack.com) but several people I’ve talked with recommended the Power Slots. They all recommended the EBC Greenstuff Pads.
http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/brakes.jsp?make=EBC&model=Greenstuff+brake+pads

If your interested in seeing the step-by-step installation of a custom Baer Braking system, check out this website - http://www.impalahq.com./HowTo.html - and scroll down the 15th item on the left hand column.

I’ll be getting the stuff to do my brakes this weekend and I’ll let you know how it goes.

Hope this helps.

I’d like to hear if anyone tries any of this as well and what results they get.

Boys and Girls alike

I currently own a Impala 02 LS, ever since I bought the car, I have had nothing but major problems with the brakes and rotors. The first incident was at only 13,000kms ,severly warped rotors, dealer refused to change them, but was happy to turn rotors, accused me of driving too hard. 2nd time was 28,000kms, dealer turned them again this went on until 86,000kms, the thinner they got the easier they warped. I was a little pissed by then and demanded they be changed. I talked with the regional sales rep for GM and he reviewed the problem and told the dealer to change them at no charge to me. It seems you have to get mad and cause a little comotion before they take you seriously. I have had no problems so far since I've changed them (86K). Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love the car, it's the brakes/rotors that suck. I presently have over 130,000kms and recently noticed a slight shimmy in the front end. Looks like its time to change em again. I had the rotors analysted at a friends lab, its seems like GM is basically using very cheap inexpensive metal to produce the rotors. Maybe its a cost cutting measure. I have talked with approximately 50 Impala owners and they all state the same, excellent car, piss poor brakes/rotors. Can anyone out there point me in the right direction to purchase in Canada these Powerslot rotors.

I have had the same problems with my 01 LS. Every 13k to 15k the front end would shimmy when applying brakes. turned rotors helped, then i decided to try my fix. I replaced the front rotors with slotted rotors up front and stock in rear and upgraded the pads with rofren low dust pads(raceshopper.com).
Note: slotted rotors will make some noise and are not as smooth during braking-though not objectionable

I have had the same prob. w/ my 02 impala. My wife and i bought a new 00 malibu. It had the same trouble, gm had to buy the car back un
der the lemon law. now we have the impala with the same trouble. GO to your local BBB and report it, they will help you with everything. I live in Ohio, maybe laws are diff. from state to state. Make the j o's fix it.

Oh God where do I begin. I bought my impala with 40k on it, and now it has 84k. I drive alot (free way) Anywho, I agree. The breaks stink, and I bought ceramic break pads and now am going to find out more about these powerslot rotors. I have the parts and want to have it done right and not have to do it again. Great car, except for this...well thats another post.

:)

I don't know how much help I can be, I've got a 96 SS.
When I first got it I had to have my rotors turned every 3 months and replaced every 6 months, (I drive hard and fast) About two years ago I bought the drilled and slotted rotors from Napa and their premium brakes, and have had no more problems (same pads and rotors) no vibration, nothing. They stop on a dime. If napa makes them for the newer generation I suggest you try them.

Also, upon inspection, I noticed that the disc brakes on the rear of the car are about half the size of the front pads.
I'm no engineer, but this seems odd to me.

Thoughts?

This is very common, due to the way the weight of the car shifts during a stop the front does almost all the braking. Therefore requires larger brakes.

first off, when you brake, more weight shifts to the FRONT of the car. you will almost ALWAYS see larger brake ups front. As for you guys warped rotors, i have a few suggestions.

If they are warped, get them TURNED (machined) you dont need to replace them each time, you're just thowing away your money. if you are warping them that quickly, you probably did not set them properly. When you install brake parts, there are break-in procedures that need to be performed. these introduce proper heat into the parts and help warping from occurring. Look onlin for break-in procedures

If you still have problems, then get slotted rotors. Slots help gases escape and help keep things cool.

HTH
-Rob