Breaks and Rotors

[Rawbbie02]

At around 16,000KM I began hearing very slight grinding sounds when stopping. I'm at 18,500KM and the sound is still there but it's only noticeable when stopping very fast. I'm heading in tomorrow to see about my break pads but I'm worried my rotors might be severely damaged. Is this possible? If so, are rotors covered by warranty and if not, how much are they to replace? Or is there a good chance that nothing is too damaged just yet?

Thanks in advance

[Rba007]

GA rotors have quite the tendency to warp quickly. The dealer should replace it for you under warranty. However, I would highly recommend the Powerslot rotors, and performance friction pads fomr Partsforyourcar.com. They help a lot!

[Rawbbie02]

So you're saying it's probably the rotors because the breaks are already gone ?

[Rba007]

The rotors are notoriously thin, which was supposedly fixed with the 02 model. However, there are still problems. You likely need new rotors (or a resurfacing of your current rotors, which is a temporary fix) and new pads (the warping of your rotors causes your pads to wear more quickly)

[Rawbbie02]

What kind of money am I looking at here ?? Canadian dollars I mean... someone told me $1000 Canadian but somehow I doubt that...

[Chippy]

You're under warranty. Dealer should do it for free, without hesitation. If they give you crap, there is a TSB available, or go to another dealer. You don't have to pay anything for warped rotors, even if you do it 5 times under warranty, which some of us have...

[Gramp's GT]

Phone a couple of dealers and some brake places. Also check out pfyc and call a shop to see what they would charge to install new rotors and pads. I am assuming your car is over a year old and out of warranty?

[romneym]

It's gonna cost you $500 cn for the new rotors and brakes, if they are out of warrantee.

My best recommendation is to spend the money and screw the dealer. Even if the dealer has to do the job 5 times as someone suggested, they are not going to put on "better quality" parts. The dealer acutally would be quite happy if you had to come back 5 times as they get paid from GM. GM has a better payment record than all the dealer's customers.

Once you replace your rotors and brake pads with high quality performance parts, then you will have MUCH less problems and won't have to have them replaced 4 more times in the near future!

[Rawbbie02]

Actually, my car is 1 year old now. Still under warranty for another 2 years. I have those nice Pontiac rims on, so I'm able to see the rotors underneath- they're fine. No warping, their surfaces are smooth. They're about... 1/2 thick on each side of the groove which is normal. But there are scrape lines on them so the grinding is just starting. Looks like break pads are all I need for now (phew!)

Thanks though, everyone!!

[Molson]

Whoever is paying $500.00 for rotors and pads must have a large hoop. And I have some swampland for sale in Florida. When I was ready for breaks, I got Rotors and gold series pads for 170.00 TOTAL. (CDN)

[gagtgrrl]

Call Woodbine Pontiac, they're one of the few dealers in the GTA who will machine your rotors and give you new pads under warranty.
I tried to go to Meadow Mills b/c they're closer to home, but they tried to hose me out of a bunch of cash b/c they said "it wasn't under warranty" I don't like their service either, so I'm boycotting them ;)
I went to Woodbine at 26 000KM and they have very good, no hassle service.
:D

[Rawbbie02]

Hey, Gatgtgrrl- funny you should say that- Woodbine Pontiac is where I purchased my Grand Am!! After visiting several Pontiac dealers, they by far had the best service and best deal available! I bought it from Mario Talaricio. He seemed aggressive but in a very respectful way... he didn't push me, he just offered me the car and said for me to look around... when I left the first time he said I'll see you in about a week!!! He knew he had offered me the best price. Sure enough, I showed up a week later and bought it. So thanks, I'm definitely gonna take it back there once the breaks go.

[Gramp's GT]

Originally posted by Molson
When I was ready for breaks, I got Rotors and gold series pads for 170.00 TOTAL. (CDN)

I had my pads only replaced at the GM dealer and the pads alone cost me over $170 installed...I can't remember the exact price but they seemed very expensive to me....I think it was something around $270 installed for 2 front pads

[TLS2000]

Front Pad kit lists for $192 CDN from a GM dealer.
Labour is about $75.

This is just to replace the pads. I just did mine to get rid of an annoying noise being caused by my aftermarket pads. :(