97 Camaro RS - a few problems

Hi guys,

I read sometimes your interesting threads about our camaros and for once I try to create mine because I need your help.

I bought 1 year ago a 97 RS and since I had a few problems.

- I failed this inspection at the DMV because of my breaks, I had no breaks on the rear wheels...
- I had to change my catalytic converter ($1200)
- Now, it's the safety belt, which doesn't work properly. I heard a fews weeks ago a metallic noise, and since it doesn't stop me when i break hard.
- I think I have only breaks on the front wheels because on the snow all the time they were blocked even at 10 mph.
- My horn is sick, the sound is not loud, it's caughing.
- The window of a fog light is broken, where could I buy one?
- But the worst part is a clong clong every time the left front wheel turns and the whole car vibrates... The dealership has found the problem yet.

Can you tell me what's going on with my car and what could be the problem or the solution to fix it (maybe better than the dealer) ?

Thanks a lot.

By the way, I'm French so, be nice with my English... ;)

well can you work on cars a little bit? because if you can you can change your brakes yourself and save alot of money, as for the glass on your fog light those things arent cheap, i think i saw someone say they got it for 80 dollars but maybe you can check at autozone or pepboys or any auto store like that you may be able to get it cheaper. changing that yourself isnt that hard but since you have a rs like i do the hard part is getting the bottom of the ground effects kit off so you can reach the fog lights (something the rest of you camaro owners dont have to do) as for that noise when you turn the wheel ive hears that sometimes that can come from a belt being loose, or low power steering fluid, i dont know about that part. i hope you get everything fixed because i know how it is to have things go wrong with your car. and dont worry about how well you speak english, i'll let you in on a little secret....half the people in this country that are from here cant speak it that great.

First off you were charged too much for the catalytic convertor. I bought a high flow one for under $50, and installation for it was around 30-40 dollars. Less than $100 all together.
Check your brake pads or shoes on the rear to see if they are worn out.
The belt I think you have to replace the entire assembly.
You can buy a new fog light at any parts store, but they are at least $40 each.

thats funny i live in florida and cat work is only like 50bucks like u said he paid alot for that, but my brother who lives in norfolk said they are charging him like 500 for the same damn thing, is that something that changes from state to state price wise? i know in va its the law to have them on your car just as well as many other states like pa but here in fl, where we have no car inspections and everybody and there mom is running straight pipes, this makes me wounder if they charge so much in other places because everyone has to have it done...just a thought

Even though there is no state law there is federal law, you can potentially be fined a large amount for running no cat but i dunno how often ppl actually get charged for it.

federal fine of up to 2,500 dollars for illegal catalytic convert tampering/removal.

thats why i call my passenger seat the money seat...

You got ripped off huge compared to how much it would cost me for a cat. I'm probably just going to have mine cut off when I get a flowmaster exhaust for my car anyway, and it will probably cost a lot less. We have laws against it, but the local guys don't care, you just tell them you want it cut off and they do it.

I also have a busted fog light. The hole is only about the size of a small pencil though. It makes the fog light shine a lot less compared to the other, but I've got water in it, so I have to take it off to get the water out. I'm not sure, but I think you're asking for a new clear piece, not the whole fog light itself.

yeah i agree with these guys. try and fix the problems yourself. that garage ripped you off on the cat converter. hell i took my rs to the shop and had a hi flow on put on for 95, thats the converter and installation.

You got ripped off huge compared to how much it would cost me for a cat. I'm probably just going to have mine cut off when I get a flowmaster exhaust for my car anyway, and it will probably cost a lot less. We have laws against it, but the local guys don't care, you just tell them you want it cut off and they do it.

I also have a busted fog light. The hole is only about the size of a small pencil though. It makes the fog light shine a lot less compared to the other, but I've got water in it, so I have to take it off to get the water out. I'm not sure, but I think you're asking for a new clear piece, not the whole fog light itself.


Our headlights are one piece sealed beam units, and I was under the impression that the fogs were too.

nope 2 peice on the fog lights. i had a set for a 94, but gave them away when i sold my 94 z.

the (glass) part of the fog light it sealed to the housing which the light sits in, mines came off somehow and i sealed it back with gasket sealent at least thats what i think i used, and im not sure if u can just get the glass part got me on that one. but the cats being removed i had no clue that u could get fined that much and it was federal regulated i just knew some states are anal about it others dont care and im sure in cali they will hang u for it.but in tampa they dont care but i have heard from time time cops asked why the car was so loud and asked if the pipes have been altered. now will he climb under your car, he may, but good luck if its mines shes droped low! but now that i know about that 2 grand fine.....makes u wanna re-think

not getting O-T but my brothers trans am we punched his cat out. and put the pipe bakc together. they wont know its punched unless they cut it appart to see if the screens and crap are in there.

so they would have to realy inspect the car to find out?

So guys, thanks for your tips !!!

I have no tools and no skills in mechanics so I went to my dealership which is Pontiac-GMC-Buick in Trenton, NJ. They changed:

- 2 dead lights on the back = ok
- 2 new tires on the front and the break pads = ok stopped the vibrations
- Oil change = ok
- seat belt checked = ok
- The fog light is still the same, I did not change it...
I think I'm forgetting other things...

About the cat, I guess I paid just for the work, not for the piece($1200) thanks to the warranty. Sorry if I wasn't clear in my explanations.

And now the price for everything .... $988.00 (tax included :iceslolan ) I thaught I would have for 4 or 500 bucks, but no... twice my forecasts... :uhoh:

Less than One week after that, I had a dead light (low Beam). Thaught I'd have to change only the bulb... No, it's everything. ($20). And it's not the same so I change both to keep it nice... :biggrin:

My problem is I don't know if the level is still correct when I turn them on... Anyway, it works and I'm happy with it. :) And I was proud of myself because for once I did something with my hands (same for the light in the trunk) :p

Thanks again guys for your help and your information... If you want to have the complete description of my bill, I will do it.

Have a good evening.

Mazhev

P.S: Thanks for telling me that my english is not so bad that i think it is... :)

hey man glad we could help you out, and its cool you did some work on your car yourself, thats the only way you will learn. if you need any other advise we will be here to help if we can.