1999 Grand Am SE...Brake questions..

[rickyl89]

I have a 99 grand am se also. The ABS light and Trac-control light comes on after driving it a little while. Then once turned off and back on, it goes off. The brakes are touchy and seem like they need to be changed. Are them lights going on because of the alternator? I have read that the alternator going out is a common issue and will trigure the llights to go off before it goes out. Is the alternator easy to change yourself? Also, I am curious if this has all four disk brakes, or only front and back are drums? Anyone know?
There is also a creeking noise coming from the front drivers side when pressing the brakes. It even does it when the car is parked...really weird..any suggestions?
Thanks.

[grfnkl]

Well to answer some of your questions. The creeky noise you hear from your brakes, is your brakes needing to be replaced. When they get low they make a crunchy creeky noise when parked or moving. For the ABS, Trac Off lights, the best thing you could do is have the computer scanned with an ABS capable tool to see really what's wrong. It could be a loose ABS connection, Wheel speed sensor, or even a wheel bearing. From my knowledge the alternator would not have an affect on the ABS trac off light coming on. You would more likely get the battery light first before anything else... But strange things do happen. Hope this helps some.

[rickyl89]

Hey, thanks for the reply. I will have the brakes checked out tomorrow. I would like to try to replace them myself, but don't know if the back are drum brakes, are they? I know how to replace disk brakes, so that could be a plus. Is there anything I should know before doing this? Thanks

[The Right Formula]

Originally Posted by rickyl89

Hey, thanks for the reply. I will have the brakes checked out tomorrow. I would like to try to replace them myself, but don't know if the back are drum brakes, are they? I know how to replace disk brakes, so that could be a plus. Is there anything I should know before doing this? Thanks

I believe 98's and up all had 4-wheel disk brakes, though having myself a 97, cannot say for certain. Anyway, your front brakes are definitely disc, so if your rear wheels look the same, then you have rear discs.

[grfnkl]

The back brakes maybe drum brakes on your car. On the 99+ only the GT came with 4 wheel disc brakes with an option for the SE of 4 wheel disc but not a standard. The earlier models I'm not 100% sure on if they came with 4 wheel disc or not on the GT models.

[xeroinfinity]

GA SE- front disc Rear Drums, unless its been converted.
GA GT - All disc
You can tell by looking also.

The creaking sitting is it not your brake pads, but more likly the slide pins are dry and they are sqeachin the metal to metal inside the slide.
They sell caliper pin(brake) grease I suggest checking those also and replacing the old grease with new.

This is overlooked, though if they are to torn up you'll need to purchase a brake caliper repair kit. It comes with new pins/slides and new clips, some rubber boots etc etc.

[J-Ri]

About the creaking sound: I just had a car come in the shop yesterday with a really loud creaking when applying the brakes. It turns out some vehicles have an inside pad and an outside pad. There were tabs/stubs that should go just outside the piston on the inside pad (and a center tab/stub on the outter pad will catch on the piston). When on the outside, they press against the caliper, making the caliper want to twist while stepping on the brake. Not sure if this applies to your particular application...

Originally Posted by grfnkl

The back brakes maybe drum brakes on your car. On the 99+ only the GT came with 4 wheel disc brakes with an option for the SE of 4 wheel disc but not a standard. The earlier models I'm not 100% sure on if they came with 4 wheel disc or not on the GT models.

My '98 GT is rear drum, although I can't say there wasn't a disc option.

[xeroinfinity]

Yeah pads are easy to get mixed around the wong way.
Eats through pads realy fast too, but this usually makes a constant grinding whether you are on or off the brake.

Yes drums were an option on certain years, most GTs had disc's. My 96 and 98 GA's had disc in the rear, they are great! Stops are much shorter.

[J-Ri]

Oddly enough, the one I had made NO noise while moving, which is why it took me so long to figure it out. It was just while barely moving or stopped.

I wish mine had disc brakes in the rear... I may throw together a conversion bracket once winter's over with. I converted my truck for a grand total of $50 and about a day of fabrication.

[xeroinfinity]

You can also go to a salvage yard and use a GT rear suspension with discs.
You'll just need a new longer brake line and you might try and grap the e brake cable so the end that attaches to the ebrake arm will fit just right.

[J-Ri]

That's a good thought. I might do that if the salvage yard doesn't want too much for it.