Brake pads low again

I replaced pads and rotors in my '03 Malibu LS about 4 months ago and they are low again already.

Last time I had the pads replaced they only lasted about 10 months.

Can anyone tell me whats going on? I know that Malibus are notorious for eating brakes but are they this bad?

OK - In case you did not know . . ., NOW YOU KNOW! What I did to fix my problems was to repale both rotors (twice) replace both calipers (twice) and the brake shoes (countless times). But don't let the dealer tell you its normal wear and tear.

I would strongly suggest getting ceramic pads...they're a little more expensive, but well worth it. They stop better and the mileage you get out of them is alot better than the OEMs. I bought mine from Napa Auto which has a lifetime warranty on them. I put on 30,000 miles before I had to change them...and when they needed to be changed, I took them off, drove to Napa, traded them for new ones. Happy, happy!

Well, had to replace passenger side rotor and caliper after having installed the new brake pads (the ones a step below ceramic). This is the pits. The driver side was still very good. This is the 3rd caliper replaced on this car and 5th rotor! When are we going to get recalls on these brakes? :confused:

Ive never had that kinds problems with my brakes my malibu is five years old and the only thing that needed replacing 2 months ago was the brake cylinders in the rear and the shoes but only because of contamination

Now, Renzy - you are not implying that the Malibu does not have or experience these type of problems, are you? I also have a 5 year old 1999 car purchased with 5 miles on it in October 1998.

Well, had to replace passenger side rotor and caliper after having installed the new brake pads (the ones a step below ceramic). This is the pits. The driver side was still very good. This is the 3rd caliper replaced on this car and 5th rotor! When are we going to get recalls on these brakes? :confused:


it may not be the caliper but the hoses go bad. if it is difficult to push the pistons back it is because the inside of the flex hoses deteriorates and plugs up the line. obviously the hydraulic pressure can get through but the fluid cannot go back to the master easily... the result? Eats brakes (usually more on 1 side of the car). You will find deteriorated hoses on stuff around 90K miles. You can buy rotors now for under $20. A whole brake job with premium brakes and new rotors costs like $100 if you can do the work yourself. And DON"T buy brakes at autozone. They are made of corn flakes and last about 5k miles. Go to a dealer who sells wagner "Thermo-quiet" brakes.

So what are these hoses called and how much are they?

So what are these hoses called and how much are they?
They are the flex lines that bolt to the caliper. Order front flex brake lines. They are usually under $20 a side. You have to bleed the brakes after replacing them.

Hmmmm, could it be that the newer Malibu's are like the older Malibu's and this could possibly be an abs problem? Sounds like the pad/rotor replacement intervals with our 98 Malibu. One set lasted less than 1K and we are talking about both rotors and pads! I have found out all kinds of info on this problem, but most of it I do believe is due to the abs components. The abs light on our 98 came on for no reason, yes, after countless brake jobs, and the computer readout said the speed sensor connection was grounding out. So, the connection was fixed, and as time passed, a low hum could be heard from the driver's side and every time the car went over a bump or took a sharp turn, the abs light began to come on. Back to the mechanic (again less than 1K miles) and what do we need, a wheel bearing and hub assembly. Why? Because the abs speed sensor is located within this part and can only be purchased this way. OH, MY GOSH, GM, where was your head with this design? Anyway, my research shows some have replaced the both the driver and passenger side wheel bearings and others have replaced just the passenger side. Most agree it is the passenger side which needs replacement because that is when the low hum or grinding noise stopped and the abs light remained off. This means no faulty reading is given to the other sensors, specifically, the driver's side sensor, that the wheel is traveling faster than the other ones and needs more pressure to be slowed, hence the excessive pad wear. Chevy knows about the excessive pad and rotor wear, the pulsation and the problems with the speed sensor, otherwise TSB's would not be out there (NHTSA). I am left wondering if your car's problems are coming from this terribly designed abs component and perhaps the entire abs unit all togther! It might be worth a call to the car dealership, a computer diagnostic, a complaint letter to GM, enclosing all your paid reciepts, and a willingess to join other individuals who are experiencing the same problems you are in an united front. I know there are many 98 owners out there finding this out, along with a myriad of problems that are ALL the same and we are located everywhere. Good Luck!

hi,
check the master cylinder Currently have the same problem. If your inside pads are wearing before the outside, and the brake pedal feels mushy, you have an internal leak in the master cylinder I will be rebuilding mine this sunday er.. later today lol good luck.

So what are the steps to rebuilding the master cylinder and is that better than just buying another one?

Yup, yup, yup, the pedal is mushy, the pads are wearing unevenly and it feels like the driver's side brake does not want to "release". upon acceleration after stopping. If not for my only car, I would junk this piece of crap ... just a money pit!

Had the same problems with my 00 malibu, changing brake pads ever six or eight month's untill I went to the ceramix pads from NAPA now it's been close to two years and 35000 miles and all good.

#1 I was told that GM used calipers from a smaller car on the malibu thus causing the overworking of the breaks da da da...#2 FYI GENERAL MOTORS Çhevrolet Malibu
2000–2001 Malibu equipped with 3.1L V6 engine: an engine noise during the first few minutes after a cold start could be caused by too much play between the pistons and the cylinder bores. Have the defective pistons replaced at no charge before the warranty expires.
V6 engine: check for oil and coolant leaks at the intake manifold gasket after 80,000 km. Please visit the Investigations section of our site if you experienced this problem. This can be referenced at; http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=2792737

If I find out anything helpful, trust me I will let you all know.

I have found that when replacing the pads the calipers seem to be closing unevenly. Does anyone know what could be the problem without having to sacrifice my first born to the dealer for payment? I was thinking it may be the corrosion in the fluid line, but then again I am not a mechanic? Help if you can. Thanks

I did a rear disk brake conversion on my malibu and it has cut down significantly on the brake wear....better stopping power too.

here's the pics http://www.mindoptics.com/malibu

The left caliper, the NEW one that was recently replaced on the 98 Malibu is still doing the same thing the bad one did, rock unevenly back and forth when working, and the right one does the same. Unfortunately, this 98 baby gets warped rotors because of the bad calipers and that stinks! When I replace the pads (ceramic since last pad replacement) and rotors again, which will be soon, I am switching to slotted rotors, the heat will not be so high from the calipers, so the warping will not be so evident. Course, I would love to junk this piece of GM crap ... if only I had another car ... sigh!


HMMMM, if the calipers are inherently bad ... well, there just might be everybody's excessive pad/warped rotor wear explanation ... GM, you reading these posts, by any chance? YOU DEFINITELY SHOULD!