I have had several problems with my HHR but by far the worst thing are the front rotors. They keep getting warped and the vibrations are bad. in 36000 miles I have had them turned 3 times and one new set of rotors and they need to be replaced again. I have contacted GM and will share their findings and what can be done to solve this problem. Anyone else got the same issue?

 

Hi Bill.

The front rotors are the weak point on this vehicle. Everyone has had problems with warpage and having to have them turned multiple times. Unfortunately it is just something you have to deal with for the most part.

 

Have driven 38,000 kilometers now on my 09 LS and not a single brake problem. Not sure if this affects older models of the HHR or if you are too hard on your brakes? Let us know regardless, what GM says.

 

Rotor warpage has been an issue on GM cars for about 20 years or more. My opinion is that cheap metal is used in the rotors. I have had aftermarket rotors installed on 2 GM vehicles now (including the HHR) and have never had the aftermarket rotors warp. The crap they originally had on them was warped in 5000 miles or less. Personally I would never allow something that went bad to be replaced with the same junk. I feel that anything not from GM is far better in this case.

 

I just put on new front rotors @ 85,000 miles, just needed new pads, but as I drive so much, I felt better putting on new rotors. I bought the best they had at Oreilly's, 10,0000m and fine so far

 

After one resurfacing by the dealer at 8-9000 miles the shake about took the wheel out of your hand at 20,000 miles so I ordered new rotors. Put them on today and documented the job with pics just in case they warp because they have a Lifetime Warranty - Against Warping. Got free pads with them. Broke them in tonight and things are so smooth now. Here is a link to where I got them.

http://brakeperformance.com/site/bra...00509&ad=yahoo

After removing the brakes and old rotor I cleaned the hub surface

I installed the new rotors and tightened the rotor down with old lug nuts. I then checked the run out with a dial indicator. They were perfect.

Installed the new pads

And installed the wheels and torqued at 100 ft. lbs.

Break in was drive to 45mph and brake down to 5mph five times. Now to clean her up after the rain stops.
This is my very first post on this forum. Hello to everyone. I am usually hanging out at the Corvette forum but glad to be here also. And to the Mods I hope the pictures are not too large. I tried to make them smaller. Jim[/QUOTE]

 

I worked part time in an auto parts wholesale/retail store for about 20 years. Rotors usually came in different grades of steel and from different countries.

1) Rotors made in USA of USA Steel. Raybestos and top brands usually made of this.

2) Rotors made in Canada of Canadian & USA Steel. Name brand usage.

3) Rotors made in China & Mexico (nothing against china and mexico of course) which I told customers that the cheap price was because they were made of "regurge-ated" steel-recycled or low grade. They just can't take the heat.

A word of caution to those buying new rotors-even buying top names like Raybestos at Rabestos prices-check the country of manufacture that must be printed on the side of the box. Don't pay top dollar for vomited steel!

 

Don't pay top dollar for vomited steel!, Thank you for your Description....Oh and thanks for the info too.............

 

I had the pulsing problem from 5000 miles onward. Never felt like it was unsafe, but more of a minor annoyance under certain conditions.

@ 20790 mi I finally took mine into the dealer who did a minor turning of the rotors and wire brushed the rust/crap off the hub and hub contact surface on the wheel. 8000 miles so far and not a problem