Eating through brakes

I got a 99 GASE, and its been eating through brake pads like every 6 months. When I first got the car, I replaced the breaks and the rotors, and all was well, but then a few months later, I could hear the breaks making a unpleasent noise, so I got it on the jackstands and noticed that the brakes needed to be replaced again. So I went to the pontiac dealer and got a new set of brakes. Once again, all was well, until 5 months later when it started doing the samething. I decided to change them once I got back from my trip. Well I got back, and I had started eating pass the brake pads!! So once again, I replaced them, and now its doing the samething. Im clueless on what it could be. Its geting so bad, that I try not to use the brakes (I downshift). Any clue on what this could be?

Hello! Sorry I don't have a solution to your problem, but I share your pain with my 1999 Ford Taurus. I've changed them three times.

IASC, what type of pads? How many miles on the breaks before needing replaced? what type rotors? may be the calipers need replaced and all the clips/seals.

My 99' GA had groves cutting in the rotors replaced them and it done it again in 12 months or about 10000 miles, which was premature. when i replaced them i bought the most expensive rotors, semi/metalic pads and replaced(both) calipers, which is key when replacing, and new clips and the seal that goes to the bolts. Did u grease them w/grease, the bolts that slide(not the breaks)? Hope this narrows down the trouble. \,,/

PS- this solved all my troubles and the grinding noise it made.

I found with my 95 that if I used cheap pads it ate them fast, but if I spent more money on pads they lasted much longer. I never tried pads from the dealership as in the past I have not been too impressed with GM parts. Got a defective thermostat from the dealership, and anyone who has changed one on a 94-up quad knows they really suck. Also got a defective window motor, and a hose that failed in a week.

IASC, what type of pads? How many miles on the breaks before needing replaced? what type rotors? may be the calipers need replaced and all the clips/seals.

My 99' GA had groves cutting in the rotors replaced them and it done it again in 12 months or about 10000 miles, which was premature. when i replaced them i bought the most expensive rotors, semi/metalic pads and replaced(both) calipers, which is key when replacing, and new clips and the seal that goes to the bolts. Did u grease them w/grease, the bolts that slide(not the breaks)? Hope this narrows down the trouble. \,,/

PS- this solved all my troubles and the grinding noise it made.

Well, I have to replace them about every 25,000-30,000 miles. Mys are also making grooves in the rotors. I replaced eveything except the calipers. The last time I got all my parts from a GM dealer. Didn't think about the calipers, And I also noticed that I can take my foot off the brake on a incline, and I won't move. So maybe it is the calipers. Is there anything else that I should be replacing since the car has over 130,000 miles?

Is it all inclines that your car will sit still, or only certain ones? My car has done the same, but only at one or two intersections. I just thought it was due to the idle and the degree of the incline being just right that the car would hold itself still, I don't think it had/has anything to do with my brakes. just some of my "logic" to put out there.

Is it all inclines that your car will sit still, or only certain ones? My car has done the same, but only at one or two intersections. I just thought it was due to the idle and the degree of the incline being just right that the car would hold itself still, I don't think it had/has anything to do with my brakes. just some of my "logic" to put out there. Also, like someone said, the pad life and quality will depend on the price and brand. Since I've purchased my car in 2002, and put close to 50,000 on him, I've only changed out my front brake pads about 3 or 4 times, all of which, my pads still had a considerable amount of life left when changing.

Whenb you replaced the pads did you have the rotors machined? If your rotors are warped they will eat pads. New rotors seem to warp fast on GA's. I got cheap crappy tire rotors and it was like a upgrade been 2 years since I had to change pads or machine rotors so this may help. Good luck buddy :)

Well, I have to replace them about every 25,000-30,000 miles. Mys are also making grooves in the rotors. I replaced eveything except the calipers. The last time I got all my parts from a GM dealer. Didn't think about the calipers, And I also noticed that I can take my foot off the brake on a incline, and I won't move. So maybe it is the calipers. Is there anything else that I should be replacing since the car has over 130,000 miles?

The groves in the rotors are because the calipers cant/arent sliding on the bolts as they are supposed to. #2 the metal clips in the top of the calipers are not helping to retract the pistons in the calipers because they're broke or are just worn out.

When it comes to brakes you get what you pay for. Cheap rotors and hard core brakes, they'll likly eat the rotors. expensive rotors cheap brakes it will eat the pads. wheather the rotors are new or old, ones that are glazed will not perform well and can cause pads to wear-out fast.
And the hill thing its just physics. hope this clarifies the brake issue .

Should I be buying aftermarket brake pads and rotors, or will the stuff from autozone work fine? Oh yeah, is there a brand of calipers that you guys (or gals) recommend?

Should I be buying aftermarket brake pads and rotors, or will the stuff from autozone work fine? Oh yeah, is there a brand of calipers that you guys (or gals) recommend?

well if you get brakes, without fixing the Groove troubles, you will just hav to replace them again. They hav some good rotors and breaks. Calipers too! They look just as the new ones from GM. But get NEW ones not Rebuilt. And get the clip/rubber seals kit for the calipers its like 12$ but this should keep the groovs away and dont forget the break grease for the bolts.

My 99' GA has breaks from the zone and i hav over 30k miles on them and they arnt even half gone. I bought the rotors they were aroumd $70 each for super heavy duty, and the most expensive metalic pads for i think $50 a pair. while i replaced my rotors it was a good time to paint the calipers, since they were off and clean. I used left over yellow on my intake. the caliper paint kit was $12-13 from Advance Auto. one kit painted all 4, but it said for 2 calipers.

Sounds like a caliper problem....if your car wont roll on an incline then somethings wrong...Years ago when i started fixing my brakes the cheapest kind was asbestos...they used to wear faster than the semi-metalic, and metalic pads...I did my brakes, all around over a year and a half ago...new wagner rotors and ceramic pads. After 25,000 miles i still have plenty meat left on the pads. I dont think you stated if it was the front or back brakes....i dont know if your car has rear disc...does it have anti-lock brakes? 30,000 miles on front brakes is'nt to bad...also it depends if you live in a hilly or mountainous climate...

Sounds like a caliper problem....if your car wont roll on an incline then somethings wrong...Years ago when i started fixing my brakes the cheapest kind was asbestos...they used to wear faster than the semi-metalic, and metalic pads...I did my brakes, all around over a year and a half ago...new wagner rotors and ceramic pads. After 25,000 miles i still have plenty meat left on the pads. I dont think you stated if it was the front or back brakes....i dont know if your car has rear disc...does it have anti-lock brakes? 30,000 miles on front brakes is'nt to bad...also it depends if you live in a hilly or mountainous climate...

The problem is on the front brakes. I checked the back, they are in great shape. I live in columbus, ohio, so we dont have many hills (at least not on my side of town.) I got drums on the rear, and I do have ABS, but it seems to kick in at the wrong time, thats another problem i'm having. I wonder if the issue with the brakes are causing my ABS to malfunction....

The problem is on the front brakes. I checked the back, they are in great shape. I live in columbus, ohio, so we dont have many hills (at least not on my side of town.) I got drums on the rear, and I do have ABS, but it seems to kick in at the wrong time, thats another problem i'm having. I wonder if the issue with the brakes are causing my ABS to malfunction....

I'm sure the ABS has no clue you hav grooves in your rotors. Abs brake work great, as long as you are going over 10mph and its Not wet. My fail to work under 10mph when its wet outside. Those grooves are because the calipers are not working right. If the ABS is malfunctioning your ABS light on the instrument cluster would be lit. hope this clarifies.

pull off your calipers and see how much pressure it takes to push the calipers back in, there should be some resistance, but you should easily be able to push them in with a c-clamp and little effort. Replace the rubber caliper guides & lubricate the caliper bolts. That is the usually the problem on this car, good pads and rotors are also a key element.

Check the rubber boot on the caliper, the one around the piston. sometimes this boot gets torn or pops off alittle and debre' keeps it from returning all the way allowing the brakes to drag. the rubber boots on/around the bolts also need to be clean and greased properly with break grease.

See when you brake, the caliper needs to slide alittle to clamp down on the rotors. sometines they slid to grip the rotor but they dont return cuting grooves in the rotor.