ok everyone need to know if this is happened to anyone else

[Grandam02chick]

hey guys,well i just had my dad take my car to his work. today cuz i told his my brake pedal was making a creeking sound.ok well my car is a 02grand am. and it's only got 14k on it. and when he took my tires off he found out i need brakes.and i was like isn't that too soon. has anyone else had this problem with their grand am ?so that suxs i need to buy brakes and prolly rotors for a car that shouldn't have this problem yet.

[1996v6corsica]

just new brake pads? or did something break?
if its brake pads, they can get worn pretty quickly, its all in the way its driven...

[rixGAphx]

GA factory pads are notoriously soft and wear quickly.

14k is the soonest I've heard.
Do you 'left-foot brake' like a little old lady in a huge Caddy, toolin' down the road with the brake lights on? :D :D

You prolly do NOT need rotors, just have these turned.

IMO, go to Firestone or other major repair chain.
Spend the bucks for their finest 'lifetime' front brake job. Even with their best pads, don't expect more than 30k.

It has been my experience that 'premium' pads will take a little more foot pressure ('cuz the pad material is harder), but you get used to it and it's worthwhile in reduced stopping distances.

-Rick

[Grandam02chick]

I just need brake pads but i think it's kinda odd that my car only has 14k on it.and where i live everyone likes there brakes but i don't brake hard on them im usually very easy and im a good driver.and i work at a parts store.so im gonna get the best brake pads and i can have my discount and a lifetime warrenty.but still i need to know if anyone else has had this problem with their new grand am ?

[1996v6corsica]

were the pads wearing evenly? a slider got jammed up on my caliper and it made one pad drag all the time

[Grandam02chick]

yea they are even

[RocketFast321]

My pads went out around 36k, but they were very good not a sound from them, or dust. Now i got pads from the place that use Gorge Foreman to tell about them, nothing but sound and dust from them

[antirice]

for future reference, rotors are now cheap enough to just buy new as opposed to having them turned

[Grandam02chick]

antrice i know that,i work at a parts store and my rotors are only 30 bucks for my car

[RocketFast321]

them SOBs rip me off $40 to turn em i knew i should have got some new ones :magus:

[sunrunner_pei]

The creaking noise you hear could be the pads seperating from their backings, from dirt buildup in the calipers, or from dry caliper slides. Before replacing anything, have a good look at the brakes. A thorough cleaning of the caliper, clips, and rotor surface and re-greasing of the caliper slides with dielectric grease may be all the car needs. Also, inspect the condition of the slides for notches, etc, as they may be beyond repair and need to be replaced. Check the condition of the rubber slide boots as well, because if they're cracked/split/wore out they will allow all the slide grease to escape causing the creaking noise.

Just speaking from experience. :)

[GrandAmHo23]

I have a 2000, and had to replace my brake pads last year around January but yesterday I had to get my rotors turned and found out that I also needed new brake pads again which I pretty much already new that was going to happen cuz my breaks were making that clicking noise.

[30thAnnGAGT]

My 2000 brakes went around 8000 miles. Wore right through the front pads too. Even ground the wear indicator right off the stinking pad. So yes, it's happened. GM is well aware of the problem. They will resurface your rotors at no cost. Often times they will claim that your pads are "wear and tear items" and ask you to pay for them.

If your able from your store get a set of Ray Bestos rotors and the best pads you all carry. That is if you don't want to spend a grand on great brakes :)

[Grandam02chick]

well,my father told me it's def my brakes and i also need new brake pads and i just ordered the best brakes and rotors for it.cuz winter is comming.and my lil sister also drives my car because she has her learner's permit.so Im not gonna take any chances.i've talked to alot of other people about their grand am's too and they said that they've had to change there's around 20k.thanxs everyone I apperciate it.

[Little T]

Grand Am's are well known for chewing up break pads and alternators. I have a 99 and have replaced my break pads 3 times. My rotors once and my alternator twice. I love my car but I will never buy another Pontiac.

[pfofit]

I love my car but I will never buy another Pontiac.

I know you mean it now but the truth is the next time your looking for a car, you'll be "oh neat, check out the whatever on this baby" and say how much..

And they know it, why do you think they do nothing to appease their current customers for repeat purchases, by constantly denying claims or "thats normal". Why do they make these crappy components and let everyone curse the parts and manufacturers up and down. Gm's lack of concern about crap problems that everyone on the net knows about but GM has never heard of the issue before. Thats because they deny or dismiss everythimg and do nothing, therfore there is no record of the problem. Pretty nest eh! By the way i'm not bias, all car manufacturers do the same thing. Buy just about anything else that is crappy or constantly being repaired and you return it for another or get your money back. Only car makers can repeatedly make sell defective products and not have to answer for it. Well, maybe cigerette companies.


Car buying is an emotional puchase for 95% of buyers, if it wasn't, noboby in their right mind would ever buy new.

I work on and repair a lot of friends, their friends and families cars and despite my personal experiences and rants about Gm, in the last year six of them have bought new and three used. They listen to and respect my opinions as to what the cars need in the way of repairs and the brand of parts, but when its time to make the decision about some new car their brain turns to mush and their long term memory vaporizes." :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

All that said, I'm with ya " i'll never buy Gm again either

[wein77]

If you replace your brake pad you have to turn your rotors. If you do not turn your rotors. The groves on the rotors will wear your new brake pads down quicker causing the pads to only last half of there life time. Most places charge around 10 dallors a rotor. You can get away most of the time turning your rotors 2-3 times before you have to replace the rotor

[TA^Guy]

Originally posted by 1996v6corsica
were the pads wearing evenly? a slider got jammed up on my caliper and it made one pad drag all the time
This would have been my guess, especially if they make a 'creek' sound.
My wifes creek a bit too and next time I have the wheels off I have to remember to regrease the slides.
Originally posted by Little T
Grand Am's are well known for chewing up break pads and alternators. I have a 99 and have replaced my break pads 3 times. My rotors once and my alternator twice. I love my car but I will never buy another Pontiac.
I replaced our rotors at 25,000 miles due to a slight warp. I didn't bother having the dealer do it, I wasn't going to waste my time with the same problem. I paided $60 for two new non-GM rotors and never had a problems since. As for brake pads mine wear normal. It all depends on driving style adn conditions. I know people that get new brake pads every 4 months.
As for alternators, no problems there even with a stereo system in the trunk, neons, strobes, gauges, and stock battery.