My 2008 2LT (2.2) has 36,000 miles. I have had the rotors machined once and now I need them done again. I'm getting a pulsation on the steering wheel when I use the brakes. But worse is the feeling I am getting in the steering wheel when I'm not braking. It feels like something is loose. The steering feels sloppy and I feel like I could easily loose control of the vehicle at speeds beyond 60 MPH. I have taken it to a dealer near Atlanta and they charged me $85.00 to tell me nothing was wrong. Two weeks ago I took it to my dealer at home and I asked them to check the struts and the sway bar end links. They charged me $46.00 to tell me nothing is wrong. The service manager told me that the tech. who test drove the car could feel what I was talking about but he said everything was tight and looked o.k.

What should I do? I love my HHR but driving it has not been enjoyable since Thanksgiving 2012.

I'm going in this week to have the rotors machined again. I'd like to be prepared with something to tell the dealearship to do to fix whatever problem there is with the steering feel.

Please give me some advice. Thanks alot!!!

 

What makes you feel it's the rotors again.

They should not be machined past 1 time as a rule.

You don't state under what conditions you are experiencing the problem.

Did the Dealers both drive the car to test it?

Did they notice what you are experiencing?

How could they tell you nothing is wrong with your symtoms?

SF

 

The steering wheel pulses when I brake - thus the machining.

The first dealer felt nothing when test drove.

The second dealer felt the problem. Both said nothing was wrong.

 

This "sloppy steering" feeling happens under all conditions. Also, there is a ton of "sway" thus my suspision about the sway bar end links.

 

Could also be the control arm bushings. They are difficult to see when worn, and can cause a wobble at speed.

 

I just picked up "Severe Duty" SS rotors for my 2.2 LT *Special Edition* They are the same, just more built for a heavy braking foot like mine, and sounds like yours too. Give it a shot. Could be money well spent...

 

Step 1. Fire that dealer and go someplace else.

Step 2. Have the new dealer/shop check everything in the front suspension, I think prod may have nailed the diagnosis.

Step 3. Have the brakes done over on the front end with new rotors, one cut and you're at the discard thickness and the dealer should know that.

Step 4. Have the rear brakes cleaned and adjusted, the self adjusters seldom work at all, that leads to reduced braking effort from the rear....that overloads the front brakes leading to premature wear and brake judder.

 

Have a competent repair shop check your problem I highlighted in red. This is a dangerous issue and needs immediate attention.
Two possibilities not listed above.
Loose lugnuts
Seperated tire

 

Good catch, definitely check the lugs for tightness before driving it again, and give your tires a good visual check.

Once its on a lift, they can give the tires a thorough looking over.

 

I am told there is a slight difference in the rotor size between LS/LT and SS.. I cannot speak personally on this because I didn't get mine on my HHR before I left for business.