victory red

I have a 2009 HHR LS that I bought new in '08 and it has 6,001 miles on it.

This car has lousy brakes, I mean down right too small brakes! Is this a normal thing with HHR's ???

I really like the car but put a 100 pound dog in the back and the time it takes to brake goes up by a factor of 3!

I took it back to the dealer and they said everything was fine. Is there an aftermarket set of brakes that are better??? If so, does it require new rims??

Thanks...

843de

These little trucks are a bit under braked since they share the Delta platform with the Cobalt/Ion/G5 and weigh about 1,000-1,200 lbs more. There are so many different takes on upgrading the brakes I'd suggest a search of the forum for the various threads. My suggestion is a set of heavy duty rotors and full ceramic pads, but there are many other ways to go. You might consider a trip to a competent brake shop for their advice based on your driving style and budget.

1Panel2NV

What do you do when you have human passengers. It must be impossibru to stop.


LS Cobalt is about 2600lbs.
SS Cobalt is 3000lbs.

HHR is about 3200lbs.

843de

I stand corrected, but I still believe they are under braked from the factory regardless of any weight difference with their Delta cousins.

geg

Brakes of this guy is wrong. I could be wrong, but ..

1. I have the experience of driving different cars. Brakes my HHR is no worse than any other car brakes.
2. By accessing this forum, I conclude. Murder brakes for an American - a common occurrence. This does not bite, it's just a statement of fact.
Member of this forum Zagohhr bought a used HHR. This car had a brake in a terrible state.
My HHR came to me from the U.S.. He was decorated with curves rotors and wavy brake pads. I am forced to restore his brakes.

Before you blame the GM, you need to disassemble and carefully examine the brakes.

solman98

As far as stopping power, these seem no different that any others.

victory red

I have never had a passenger so I really don't know. Just the dog...

The car is not used very much and I was wondering if it's from sitting in a garage most of the time. Maybe the pads are bad????

I will take the suggestion of taking it to a brake specialist and getting their opinion.

geg

Uneven rotors or brake pads produce vibration when braking. Vibration may be small. Vibration - this indicator. You can feel the vibration when braking? Your rotors curves. I suggest this procedure:
1. Remove the front wheels. Take out and inspect the front brake pads. Brake pads Material should be worn evenly. Evenly - which is exactly the plane without waves and angles. Evenly - the height of the ceramic layer on all sides of the pad is the same. If it is not - your brake pads are corrupted. In addition, the rotors are damaged too.
Treatment: The rotors running tap or replaced. Brake Pads throw. Buy new brake pads. If you combine the smooth rotors and curves brake pads - your rotors will be broken.
2. Inspection of Brake Caliper. Brake Caliper Rubber parts should be dry and clean. Rubber parts should not have gaps. If the rubber parts are damaged - to buy a repair kit, repair Brake Caliper. Brake Caliper moving parts must move freely and not be caught. If it is not - Replacement Brake Caliper. Brake Caliper Cylinder should shine. If the cylinder has rust - cleaning, polishing, replacement Brake Caliper rubber parts.
3. If the rear brake rotor - the same steps with the rear brakes.
If the rear brake drum: Remove the rear wheels. Remove the brake drums, brake pad inspection, inspection of the interior surface of the drums. Brake Pads curves - replacing brake pads. The inner surface of the drums is uneven - replacement brake drums. The moving parts must move freely, not hooked.
4. "Pump" the brakes. This is done in a auto repair shop. With his hands is difficult. Purpose - to exclude air bubbles from the brake fluid.
Good luck.

BlackknighT

I have almost 20,000 on mine and only had one small issue which was at about 4,000 miles. I took it in for it's 1st oil change so it was on record at the dealer, and explained to the service manager about a glazing type noise from my passanger side brakes in stop and go traffic after the brakes heat up. I ended up fixing it myself because the dealer said the HHR is making noise because of "rust on the rotors on start up". Unfortunately the service manager who told me this didn't listen to me tell him the glazing noise only happens in extreame stop and go traffic 1/2 way through my commute-NOT when I am coming out of my driveway. I had to grease the caliper pins on the passanger side because the caliper was hanging up and glazing the pads-where the original grease was/went I don't know. I have not been back there because of this and because when they used the overhead pull down oil line the metal coupling banged several times on my hood making my first chips and didn't even reset my oil monitor (I know how but it was principle) and when the mechanic came out after I complained he had to figure out how to do it. Also within the customer work order you sign it states they are not responsible for damaging your vehicle. WTF? Does that mean they can sh-t on the seats if they wanted to and not be held liable...