Recurring problems with my Impala LS

[ebburtner]

I have written on here several times about my brake problems and was just writing again because I am still having the same problems

My husband just had the rotors turned again about 2 months ago, if that. Well, about a month after the rotors were turned I get the shaking of the car when pressing the brakes. AGAIN!!! We have had nothing but trouble with these dang brakes since we bought the car new in 2003. It is a 2003 Impala LS. My husband thinks that maybe its the calipers that are bad making the brake problem recurring. I just wish that Chevy would recall it because I have talked to several people who have the same problem I am having with thier 2003 Impala's.

I am also having a vibration while driving down the road. Could this be a tire out of balance? I do not have any pull if I let go of the steering wheel.

I would really like to just get rid of this problem car and if it does come to that I think I will just buy a foriegn car!!!! Seems all the GM cars are nickel and diming everyone to death and GM doesn't seem to care!!!

Thanks in advance for anyones help.

[Iflylow]

GM brake rotors are known to be junk, and not just on the Impala. Turning them just makes the problem worse because you are making them thinner and less able to absorb the heat. They then warp even faster than before. Get rid of them and get some quality rotors and pads, and your problems will go away. I use rotorpros on ebay for mine, and have had no problems. Others say R1 Concepts are good. Generally, any good brand should be better than GM.
When the rotors are replaced, look at the caliper guide pins. Make sure they are straight, not worn out, and are lubed well. Also make sure the rubber boot around them is in good shape.
A tire out of balance could cause your vibration. Get it checked out, if that doesn't fix it, post again.

[ebburtner]

I will see if I can get my husband to look at the car this weekend. Thanks so much for your help. One more thing...I was told by a mechanic that it didn't matter how much I spent on brakes & rotors that they will keep doing the same thing. Must not be true if you aren't having that problem anymore! Thanks so much!

[Iflylow]

It is true that if you are really hard on brakes, they will tend to warp, but under normal useage with normal maintenance, they should not have problems. Riding the brake, multiple hard stops without cooling in between, never checking pad thickness, will hurt your brakes. However, quality pads and rotors will go a long way towards better service life for your brakes, and they will stand up to more abuse as well.

[richtazz]

I have a 99 Grand Prix (it shares the same brakes as your car) and have had no brake pulsation problems whatsoever. The 2 most important steps are:

1. make sure you use a torque wrench when re-installing the wheels to be sure the lugs are evenly tightened to factory spec of 100ft/lbs.

2. retorque them after a few days to insure they haven't loosened from heat/cool cycles (especially important if you have aluminum wheels).

On my car, I used an aftermarket ceramic pad and quality Chinese made (even the AC-Delco Durastops are Chinese now) rotors. I have over 30k miles on them, 90% city/10% highway, and have had no issues at all.

As far as turning rotors, why bother. The replacements are only $15-$25, and you don't have to wait. Plus, they don't give you enough material to turn most factory rotors even once, and finding a place that knows what they're doing turning them is almost impossible now.