While we're on the subject of brakes...

[Pyscean]

Hey Everybody!!!

This is my first post to the GAOC boards even though I've been reading for several months now. As for myself, I have a 2000 Grand Am SE (V6). Have to say this is a great resource. Hopefully, you gurus will have an answer for me. My current issue is with the brakes.

I notice that almost everyone that owns a Grand Am has had brake rotor/pad problems at some time or another. Everything from squealing to grinding to warped rotors has been talked about. I recently had problems with warped rotors and took the advice provided here. I added aftermarket rotors which took care of the front end/brake pedal vibration I was feeling when braking, but a new problem has shown up. This seems to be one that no one else has encountered on the boards or at least I haven't been able to locate through a search.

Here's the problem. When I'm moving slowly (less than 5 mph) and I hit the brakes, I can hear a loud, almost rhythmic clicking/grinding sound. It's almost like an old creaky door. It only happens either when I'm just beginning to brake or I have to apply a lot of pressure to the brakes to stop -- coming to a stop at the bottom of a hill for example. I took my car back to shop that changed my rotors, drums, pads and shoes THREE times to have this taken care. They've done everything from lubricate shims to adjust calipers. On the final visit, they said something about "rattle clips" thinking that the pads on the driver side were not being completely held in place thereby causing the noise. It's on the driver's side that I'm hearing this noise btw. They received some clips from GM and hoped that would do the trick, but no luck.

So...has anyone else experienced this before? Any suggestions you-all might have a very much welcome. Also, sorry for the long post.

[klc317]

Actually, I have noticed a "click" similar to that while sitting in a drive through and moving foward at a very low speed with the brakes still applied. Its not loud or annoying, but I noticed it. Its only at very low speeds as you mentioned. My brakes have been done twice under warranty (warped rotors). I dont think that its anything major.

[99GrandAMSE]

... I gad a similar 'sound' on another car to which I attributed to the brake (the same as you) but the problem ended up being the hub caps were 'flexing' causing the noise ... by chance, do you have hubcaps??

[klc317]

I have the chrometech "torqued" factory GT wheels. I was considering ditching them for some Walmart wire hubcaps...LOL!!

[99GrandAMSE]

Originally posted by klc317
I have the chrometech "torqued" factory GT wheels. I was considering ditching them for some Walmart wire hubcaps...LOL!!

... so you have the factory RSA's too?

[illsmokeyou]

yeah those are the complaints that I am hearing from my wife, and she hears the "pop" coming from the rims..

I suspect it to be a center cap flexing problem, and is even more noticeable wiht my aftermarket rims

BTW she has a 03 GT with the chrometechs also

[hozzle]

Originally posted by klc317
Actually, I have noticed a "click" similar to that while sitting in a drive through and moving foward at a very low speed with the brakes still applied. Its not loud or annoying, but I noticed it. Its only at very low speeds as you mentioned. My brakes have been done twice under warranty (warped rotors). I dont think that its anything major.
Do you have the shims installed? There should be a new set of shims with every new set of pads. Just a thought.

[klc317]

I have no idea about the shims...I just know that the GM dealer has replaced (or rather turned) my rotors twice, and installed new pads once, all warranty (along with a long list of other warranty repairs and replacement parts). 17,000 miles on the clock. And yes, I still have the RSAs, in fact 2 brand new ones (courtesy of GM because of 3 dealer visits due to front end noise). This has by far been the most unreliable (or shall I say repaired under warranty) vehicle I have ever owned. My particular car has a service record at the dealer that is getting thicker than a novel. This is my first GM product (I've always owned Ford trucks) and I am very unimpressed with my car as far as quality. My secondary vehicle (an '88 Ranger with nearly 200,000 miles that still runs great, V-6/5-speed) has never had any issues, except for routine maintinence, and it has been in my family since new. I am starting to consider trading this GA in for something else.

[Pyscean]

Hi Everyone..

As far as my car is concerned, no hubcaps. Just factory alloy wheels. I have to admit to that even though the sound may not be a sign of something majorly wrong, it's driving me CRAZY! I'm going to keep searching for a resolution. Thanks all.

[sunrunner_pei]

Originally posted by Pyscean
Hi Everyone..

As far as my car is concerned, no hubcaps. Just factory alloy wheels. I have to admit to that even though the sound may not be a sign of something majorly wrong, it's driving me CRAZY! I'm going to keep searching for a resolution. Thanks all.

The problem is either with the brake pads seperating from the backings (Common with factory pads), or with the caliper slides being dry and needing lubrication. Take the calipers off, inspect the rubber slider boots for tears, and inspect the condition of the sliders. Clean them off, and re-lube them with dielectric grease and put it all back together.

GM told me the noise was "normal". :bs: Anyways, proper cleaning and lubrication of the calipers every 6 months or so and you'll be all set.

[99GrandAMSE]

Originally posted by sunrunner_pei
The problem is either with the brake pads seperating from the backings (Common with factory pads), or with the caliper slides being dry and needing lubrication. Take the calipers off, inspect the rubber slider boots for tears, and inspect the condition of the sliders. Clean them off, and re-lube them with dielectric grease and put it all back together.

GM told me the noise was "normal". :bs: Anyways, proper cleaning and lubrication of the calipers every 6 months or so and you'll be all set.

That is what I was thinking but he said this was done several times :(

[sunrunner_pei]

Originally posted by 99grandamse
That is what I was thinking but he said this was done several times :(

He said they lubricated the shims... No mention of the sliders. ;)

[99GrandAMSE]

Originally posted by sunrunner_pei
He said they lubricated the shims... No mention of the sliders. ;)

Technicality :roll:

[rollbonez]

Is this warped rotor problem dangerous, or can I wait til my first scheduled brake maintenance to resolve the problem?

I don't hear any of the noises that you guys are hearing, so I don't think I have the problem.

I do have that vibration problem, but I always thought it was either the anti-lock brakes or inconsistencies in the road.

My dealer is really good about taking care of TSBs before they happen if I bring it up with him, so if this has a TSB on it, I wouldn't mind getting it fixed while I am still under warranty.

tom

[Marks95GAGT]

Well the warped rotor issue is not a new thing with GM. I had the same problem, put on new rotors and man they are great. But I didn't put on fatory rotors. I bought powerslots. No vibration, no clicking at very slow speeds. Get those and put them on. You will love them. I got mine from tirerack.com. 162 for both including 2 day shipping. Not a bad deal really.

[Blackmajik]

...and I thought I was the only one with this problem. I've noticed the squeaking noise as well during the last few days. Its on and off. When I break, I hear a noise like someone walking over squeaky floors. Is this a serious problem and I should get this fixed ASAP?

[master]

A great recommendation is to install a set of Raybestos Quietstop Ceramic pads. They are by far the quietest pads I've ever heard, no squealing, no groaning, no vibrations, no clicking, no grinding, NOTHING!!!!!!! Plus they don't fade much, decreased braking effort and produce almost no brake dust (clean wheels). Make sure you install the clips that come with the pads.

The only time I had a problem was I started hearing a groaning sound when applying the brakes but turns out there was just some dirt trapped in the slot on the face of the pad. Dug it out and no more noise.

I have a 2000 model with 25K and have never resurfaced the rotors at all. They look as good as the day I bought it.

[99GrandAMSE]

Originally posted by master
... I have a 2000 model with 25K and have never resurfaced the rotors at all. They look as good as the day I bought it.

This is not the first time I have heard this, but, it isn't very often ... could yourself lucky as there are MANY MORE who had or are having problems ... if GM would just simply install CAST STEEL rotors from day one instead of CAST IRON :(

[99capergrandam]

I've had the exact same problem since I bought the car. When I replaced my front pads I was very careful to make sure everything was spotless and then I lubricated every possible contact point. Still the problem was still there. It almost seems as if the noise is actually caused from the caliper twisting from the pressure of the brakes being applied. My car doesn't even have to be moving for the brakes to make this clicking sound. It's really annoying when I'm in the drive through at Tim Horton's...this is where I originally discovered the noise.

[rollbonez]

Well, I just had my rotors and pads replaced under warranty. I just barely mentioned the problem to my GM tech and he immediately knew what I was talking about.

Ironically, I was bringing my car in for a new passenger side power window motor. TWO-FOR-ONE warranied repairs. SCORE!

Unfortunately, they recommended that I wait til my warranty runs out before buying Powerslots. They just replaced the rotors and put "new and improved" pads in.

Brakes work well now, but we'll see how they do 15k miles later.


tom

[marciaa]

I have the same problem with my 2000 grand am , the grinding noise. so what do you recommend , new rotors? or a better pad.