2008 HHR Brake N Shake
01-02-2017, 04:02 PM
#13
New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 11-15-2012
Location: California
Posts: 16
Yes the lower control arm bushings can be the problem , you claim they were replaced so that eliminates the ball joints to, so the intermediate shaft from the steering column to the steering rack could be the issue the joints dry out and can shake during braking
Welcome to the site
Welcome to the site
When the shaking started, we took the car to a wheel and frame shop that we have done business with for quite a few years. He drove it and looked under it and said that it needed new brakes. We had new brakes put on the front and the back.
Still shook. He said it needed new lower arms,,, the one that are horizontal.
Still shook. He said it needed the upper arms (I thought was what he called them), which are vertical.
Still shook. He said it needed the mounting bushings. Said they were worn completely off.
Still shook. We had new struts put on the front and new shocks put on the back. All tires are nearly new. He said the rotors needed turning so that was done.
At that time we went on a trip of 1550 miles and the car shook so bad it was scary. We took it to the Chevy dealer at our destination, and they said the rotors were warped. They replaced the rotors. Said everything looked good. Making the return trip home, the car shook pretty bad.
We have taken it back to the wheel guy and he drove it. He says it has to be the calipers. So.............. pricing the parts myself to see if I can get them for less than he will charge, I run across a thread here in this site and it talks about 'torqueing' the mounting bolts for the calipers. The thought crossed my mind that could this possibly be the problem?
We have put well over $2500.00 into this problem so far and it looks like the calipers job will cost over $500.00 because he will have to replace the new brakes, and turn the new rotors besides replacing the calipers. We have asked that he also replace the flexible brake lines too. Something in my gut tells me that the calipers aren't the problem.
When we put on the brakes, the car stops just fine but the steering wheel shakes, and it feels like something is spinning loose and going to fall off. We asked the wheel guy about the steering shaft being the problem as you suggested and he said that wouldn't be the problem in this case.
Its to the point that I'm almost afraid to drive the car because I have the feeling that the front end is going to just fall out onto the ground. As for the noise, it doesn't sound like a grind, but like something is spinning loose. Thank you in advance for your responses.
Last edited by donbrew; 01-02-2017 at 05:16 PM.
01-02-2017, 05:13 PM
#14
Technical Moderator
Join Date: 01-23-2009
Location: Fredericksburg, Virginia
Posts: 24,671
To start: get your receipts from the wheel and frame shop. So you can say exactly what was done and why.
From your description that shop is really stealing your money. I don't know because you don't understand enough to accurately relay the info.
There is no such thing as an upper control arm, or a piece that is vertical except the strut.
Second: please add spaces and paragraphs to your posts, they are difficult to read.
So, to clarify:
The shaking is ONLY when braking?
The entire Lower control arms have been replaced, including the bushings and ball joints.
The entire struts have been replaced, including the mounts.
The rear shocks have been replaced.
The brake pads and shoes have been replaced.
The Front brake rotors have been resurfaced.
The Rear drums have been resurfaced.
Nobody has inspected the hubs.
Nobody has inspected the steering intermediate shaft.
Nobody has inspected the rear swing arm bushings.
From your description that shop is really stealing your money. I don't know because you don't understand enough to accurately relay the info.
There is no such thing as an upper control arm, or a piece that is vertical except the strut.
Second: please add spaces and paragraphs to your posts, they are difficult to read.
So, to clarify:
The shaking is ONLY when braking?
The entire Lower control arms have been replaced, including the bushings and ball joints.
The entire struts have been replaced, including the mounts.
The rear shocks have been replaced.
The brake pads and shoes have been replaced.
The Front brake rotors have been resurfaced.
The Rear drums have been resurfaced.
Nobody has inspected the hubs.
Nobody has inspected the steering intermediate shaft.
Nobody has inspected the rear swing arm bushings.
01-03-2017, 01:57 AM
#17
New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 11-15-2012
Location: California
Posts: 16
Thanks everyone for the responses. Let me clarify a bit my original post.
When the shaking started, we took the car to a wheel and frame shop that we have done business with for quite a few years. He drove it and looked under it and said that it needed new brakes. We had new brakes put on the front and the back.
Still shook. He said it needed new lower arms,,, the one that are horizontal.
Still shook. He said it needed the upper arms (I thought was what he called them), which are vertical.
Still shook. He said it needed the mounting bushings. Said they were worn completely off.
Still shook. We had new struts put on the front and new shocks put on the back. All tires are nearly new. He said the rotors needed turning so that was done.
At that time we went on a trip of 1550 miles and the car shook so bad it was scary. We took it to the Chevy dealer at our destination, and they said the rotors were warped. They replaced the rotors. Said everything looked good. Making the return trip home, the car shook pretty bad.
We have taken it back to the wheel guy and he drove it. He says it has to be the calipers. So.............. pricing the parts myself to see if I can get them for less than he will charge, I run across a thread here in this site and it talks about 'torqueing' the mounting bolts for the calipers. The thought crossed my mind that could this possibly be the problem?
We have put well over $2500.00 into this problem so far and it looks like the calipers job will cost over $500.00 because he will have to replace the new brakes, and turn the new rotors besides replacing the calipers. We have asked that he also replace the flexible brake lines too. Something in my gut tells me that the calipers aren't the problem.
When we put on the brakes, the car stops just fine but the steering wheel shakes, and it feels like something is spinning loose and going to fall off. We asked the wheel guy about the steering shaft being the problem as you suggested and he said that wouldn't be the problem in this case.
Its to the point that I'm almost afraid to drive the car because I have the feeling that the front end is going to just fall out onto the ground. As for the noise, it doesn't sound like a grind, but like something is spinning loose. Thank you in advance for your responses.
When the shaking started, we took the car to a wheel and frame shop that we have done business with for quite a few years. He drove it and looked under it and said that it needed new brakes. We had new brakes put on the front and the back.
Still shook. He said it needed new lower arms,,, the one that are horizontal.
Still shook. He said it needed the upper arms (I thought was what he called them), which are vertical.
Still shook. He said it needed the mounting bushings. Said they were worn completely off.
Still shook. We had new struts put on the front and new shocks put on the back. All tires are nearly new. He said the rotors needed turning so that was done.
At that time we went on a trip of 1550 miles and the car shook so bad it was scary. We took it to the Chevy dealer at our destination, and they said the rotors were warped. They replaced the rotors. Said everything looked good. Making the return trip home, the car shook pretty bad.
We have taken it back to the wheel guy and he drove it. He says it has to be the calipers. So.............. pricing the parts myself to see if I can get them for less than he will charge, I run across a thread here in this site and it talks about 'torqueing' the mounting bolts for the calipers. The thought crossed my mind that could this possibly be the problem?
We have put well over $2500.00 into this problem so far and it looks like the calipers job will cost over $500.00 because he will have to replace the new brakes, and turn the new rotors besides replacing the calipers. We have asked that he also replace the flexible brake lines too. Something in my gut tells me that the calipers aren't the problem.
When we put on the brakes, the car stops just fine but the steering wheel shakes, and it feels like something is spinning loose and going to fall off. We asked the wheel guy about the steering shaft being the problem as you suggested and he said that wouldn't be the problem in this case.
Its to the point that I'm almost afraid to drive the car because I have the feeling that the front end is going to just fall out onto the ground. As for the noise, it doesn't sound like a grind, but like something is spinning loose. Thank you in advance for your responses.
To answer your questions:
YES it only does it when I'm braking.
The Front brake rotors have been resurfaced AND then those became warped and were replaced with brand new ones.
The Rear drums have been resurfaced. NO, we installed new rear brakes, shocks and new tires.
Nobody has inspected the hubs. Correct.
Nobody has inspected the steering intermediate shaft. Correct.
Nobody has inspected the rear swing arm bushings. Correct.
Two different businesses,,, one a well known shop that specializes in wheels, frames and alignments, and the other a Chevy Dealership service department, and they both say they can't figure out what the problem is.
As for my keeping the specialist aware of what he's done to the car, he is well aware of what he has done to it and still shakes his head when he see's me drive in.
I don't mean to be a bother here. I was reading thru some threads and thought I might be able to get some guidance. I apologize if I shouldn't be here.
Thank you for your responses anyway.
01-03-2017, 06:15 AM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: 09-16-2013
Location: Tampa, Florida
Posts: 1,408
Sorry to say but either you are getting played or you have encountered the mechanic who employs the "throw all the parts at it until its fixed" game. When you find the problem I am willing to bet it is going to turn out to be something way more simple than you thought, and cheaper. Thats how it worked out for me so far anyway.
01-03-2017, 08:49 AM
#20
Technical Moderator
Join Date: 01-23-2009
Location: Fredericksburg, Virginia
Posts: 24,671
I don't mean to be a bother here. I was reading thru some threads and thought I might be able to get some guidance. I apologize if I shouldn't be here
My guidance is to try a different shop. Maybe the shop you are going to just doesn't know about HHRs. From what I am hearing, I get the idea they are either incompetent or dishonest, but that is from 2,000 miles away.
Yes, the shop is well aware of what they have done. They have thrown parts (and your money) at the problem instead of investigating the quirks of the HHR. And, evidently, they don't explain very well. They know that you are not a mechanic.
At least, ask why "it couldn't be the intermediate shaft in this instance"; or, the hub/bearings; or, the rear brake adjustment.
Rotors do not get warped in a short period of time for no reason, the usual reason is the rear brakes are not properly adjusted, or they are not warped and something else is mimicking.
Any criticism is directed at the shop not you. If you don't know what has been replaced it is their fault.
I have had several mechanics that I thought were reliable tell me completely wrong things about my HHR. One wanted to fight about the electronic power steering, he was convinced there is no direct connection between the steering wheel and the wheels, just wires.