I jus put my new wheels on they are 18x7.5 well after putting them i have noticed a slight vibration in the brake pedal when im goin over 45mph and i step on the brake, it almost seems like the rotor is to small for the rim. can someone help me with this or give me some advice, i dont want to take it back to the dealer cuz i dont want them to void warranty cuz i put diff wheels on it. thanks
-chad-

in this case ill put the originals back on ,it wasnt doin it before i put the wheels on, the rims are balanced. with no locking lug. it only does it when i brake, when im driving its fine.

i put them on myself, i have no abs and the car only has 2,000 miles on it

i put them on myself, i have no abs and the car only has 2,000 miles on it

Did you use a torque wrench and tighten in the correct pattern? Overtorqued lug nuts can warp rotors.

yes i did but i wasnt sure what to torque them to, if the rotors were warped wouldnt that cause them to vibrate at all times though?

yes i did but i wasnt sure what to torque them to, if the rotors were warped wouldnt that cause them to vibrate at all times though?

Without looking up the actual number, 100 lbs. ft. should be safe. You can have any number of possible problems with different wheels/tires. Wheel and/or tire runout comes to mind along with balance. Someone suggested putting your original wheels and tires back on. That would be a great diagnostic tool to at least eliminate the rotors.

well thanks for your help

if i take it in with the new wheels on it do you think they will void warranty?

Also on an empty clear road you may wish to pull the hand brake on, GRADUALLY. It will help to determine location of problem.......rear in this case.

Also, heard the little retainer washer on the rear drums are causing some problems.....not allowing to machined surfaces (wheel and the drum)complete contact.

The hub and outside drum surfaces, according to GM, should be wire brushed BY HAND, if any appearance of rust, corrosion, dirt is apparent....otherwords cleaned well.

Just put the old wheel & tires on the two front & try it. Be sure the the lugs were centered on the wheel. Are they multi hole wheels?

I don't believe they would VOID your warranty. But, they could use it for an excuse for not locating the problem.

Also on an empty clear road you may wish to pull the hand brake on, GRADUALLY. It will help to determine location of problem.......rear in this case.

Also, heard the little retainer washer on the rear drums are causing some problems.....not allowing to machined surfaces (wheel and the drum)complete contact.

The hub and outside drum surfaces, according to GM, should be wire brushed BY HAND, if any appearance of rust, corrosion, dirt is apparent....otherwords cleaned well.

well i know the front had the washers but i didnt see any on the back. i did the hand brake thing, its definently coming from the front. it wasnt doing it at all until i put the new wheels on, i guess ill try taking it back to the dealer:confused:

Just put the old wheel & tires on the two front & try it. Be sure the the lugs were centered on the wheel. Are they multi hole wheels?

yes they are multi hole wheels

I don't believe they would VOID your warranty. But, they could use it for an excuse for not locating the problem.

im just very skeptical about taking it in with the rims on it you kno?

Without looking up the actual number, 100 lbs. ft. should be safe.
Good guess!!! :thumb:

100 ft-lbs is what the owners manual states.

Thanks snoopy i overlooked the retainer rings on that rear drums took em off and now it brakes smooth as silk, thanks everyone for your help!! cant wait to post some pics of the new wheels for ya guys.:thumb: :nuts:

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g47/phicara/smileys/thcamera.gif Can't Wait Either :D

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g47/phicara/smileys/thcamera.gif Can't Wait Either :D

hey i can only post pix in forums if i become a premium member right?

No, you can post pics. But of course you could become a premium member too :p:

No, you can post pics. But of course you could become a premium member too :p:

i will become one as soon as my baby is born in 1 week, how do you post pics? not thumbnail but full size i tried imageshack but i could only get thumbnails?

I use www.photobucket.com. It's good for sizing pics too.

how do you post pics?

Here's a how to, not just for premium members either.........

POSTING A PIC (http://chevyhhr.net/forums/showthread.php?t=3033)

Thanks snoopy i overlooked the retainer rings on that rear drums took em off and now it brakes smooth as silk, thanks everyone for your help!! cant wait to post some pics of the new wheels for ya guys.:thumb: :nuts:

Glad to help.....

I'm surprised about this resolution. A local dealer here, "cut" the rotors twice on a friends new truck. Then on the third try, discovered the retainers were causing the problem. Gave him new rotors and drums, FOR THEIR MISTAKE......thought that was pretty good.

GM is now saying the slightest rust flake, corrosion, dirt can cause the "shimmy" problem. That is why it is important for the dealer, or anyone doing the service, to apply the details of the Service Bulletin.

Oh, forgot to say....new wheels really look great....saw them on the other thread.

Glad to help.....

I'm surprised about this resolution. A local dealer here, "cut" the rotors twice on a friends new truck. Then on the third try, discovered the retainers were causing the problem. Gave him new rotors and drums, FOR THEIR MISTAKE......thought that was pretty good.

GM is now saying the slightest rust flake, corrosion, dirt can cause the "shimmy" problem. That is why it is important for the dealer, or anyone doing the service, to apply the details of the Service Bulletin.

what are the retainers for? do you know? im thinking its to keep the stock rims recessed out but im not sure

I'm told......just to keep the drums in proper position during the assembly process. Remember to check them for snugness when reinstalling a wheel.

The brake drum retainer clips are installed by the factory to keep the brake assembly together before the wheels are installed. Thats the only purpose for them. Most aftermarket wheels DO NOT have a relief area cut out in the back to accept a "brake clip", therefore they must be removed to insure a proper fittment. If left on they will most often cause vibration and possible wheel falling off.

The brake drum retainer clips are installed by the factory to keep the brake assembly together before the wheels are installed. Thats the only purpose for them. Most aftermarket wheels DO NOT have a relief area cut out in the back to accept a "brake clip", therefore they must be removed to insure a proper fittment. If left on they will most often cause vibration and possible wheel falling off.

they are also on the front not just the back

Correct. GM usually puts two on each assembly, and can easily be removed with a simple tug with a pair of side cutters.

Correct. GM usually puts two on each assembly, and can easily be removed with a simple tug with a pair of side cutters.

one question i have though, do i have to put them back on if i put the stock rims on?

No. In fact, a common practice in my shop is to remove them on EVERY vehicle that comes in, just to prevent any problems in the future.

:thumb: :thumb: good practice Tireman.

I wonder how many people can associate THEIR "brake shimmy" problem with this retainer???????:confused: :confused:

Quite a few more than not. You'd be surprised that something with the thickness of a business card can cause a vibration problem, such as, a bar code sticker on the back of the wheel, rust/corrosion on the wheel mounting pad or hub. So much stuff to consider. Years ago we never had to worry about these problems. With the complexity of todays vehicles those things are things that MOST shops do not even consider. ALL of my techs are trained and skilled in these areas before they are allowed to even touch a customers vehicle.

Tireman.....

I thank you for writing the above. I have been trying to tell members of this forum, as well as others, that exact same thing. I even provided that information and the TSB #, to a friend who is a GM Service Advisor. He and the technicians were not even aware of it......opps. Surprising how many of the "rotor shimmy" problems were resolved.

Hey, if you were closer I'd come get my Goodyear Eagle Response Edge tires from you.

Thats the tire I run on my HHR. You'll love em. BTW, there are 7 Discount Tire stores in Mesa Arizona.