mine was turned at 12,000 miles and again at 32,000 miles......
they wouldnt replace them.

 

Just take a look at the web and see the different makes with Brake pulse issues.

Honda, Toyota, Nissan. Renault, GM, Ford, Chrysler, Mini, ETC. They are all there and more. This is not a GM problem or just cheap rotor issue.

If it is warped it is a torque issue and if it just pulses it is a brake material issue on the rotor.

 

My dealer just told me that my brake pads and rotors are being replaced due to a warranty/recall type issue. There was a shield or something that caused excessive heat on the rotors. I was complaining about it for a while, we'll see if this takes care of it. I am hard on my breaks when responding to emergency calls.

 

Your dealer is referring to a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin).

Here is a link to the TSB:

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/show....php?t=23231#3

 

I am beginning a list of people that have had the ongoing problem of bad rotors on their HHR. I am replacing the rotors for a third time and GM said that they have never heard of this problem. The dealer states that he has never heard of this problem. What kind of a cover-up has happened at Government Motors. If you have had this problem and are interested in being involved in this proposal for law suit, please provide me with your VIN number and all contact information. I will be posting this at other HHR blogs as well. You can respond to me here or at hhrrotors@gmail.com.

 

Members, please be careful who you supply your contact information and your VIN too as this is personal information although VIN's and plate numbers are a matter of public record. Like with any other personal security precautions, it's up to you who you wish to divulge your information to.

 

Can you prove what is wrong?

Do you really know what is the cause?

Do you also know many and most makes and models have the same complaint?

Do you just want to go to court or do you really want your problem fixed?

Do you know most people do not have this issue and why?

Have you check lateral run out of the hubs and have all the spec's?

How did you drive the HHR for the first few hundred miles and how did you or the mechanic seat in the pads?

What were the lugs torque settings?

What proof of a cover up do you have?

Sorry I don't mean to play hardball but these are things you are going to have to cover in court. Also I think if you do some reading of the recomendtions of most major brake MFG on how to resolve the true cause of this it will solve your issue.

There are three things that are the prime causes of this issue and defective rotors are not one of them.

Just because people can change brake pads and rotors does not mean it was done correctly. There are things that need or should be done during the brake job that will prevent these issues and a many good mechanic don't do them a few if any bad mechanic just never do it.

I don't mean to play hard ball but just claiming defective rotors is not going to work. Nor are all of the HHRs having this issue. I think if you learn what causes the judder in the system you will find the rotors are only a symptom of what the real cause is.

This is a problem that is resolved through knowlege not anger.

 

Well said hyperv6!

 

This "brake rotor warping" issue has been kicked to death on this forum. A good number of HHR owners have reported having brake issues. I have a 2006 2LT that I bought used with 26K on it. It presented shuddering brakes soon after and it went to the dealer three times (approximately once every 4K miles) until it turned 36K and they would no longer attempt repairs under warranty. At this time I went to Auto Zone (the only place I could find pads and rotors in my area) and purchased the items to repair the brakes. This fix STOPPED the problem completely. I had read something posted by EBC Brake Co. describing how the brake pad "oscillates" in the retainer thus causing a wear pattern on the rotor. This wear pattern is WORSENED by driving the car on the open highway rather than applying the brakes. When the brakes are then applied the pads "chatter" on this pattern set up in the rotors. This means in simple terms (1) the pads are made of a material that is too hard! (2) the rotors are NOT warped, they are merely "checked" by the pad rocking back and forth in the retainer. When I did my brake work I used the bottom of the line pads which were non asbestos organic. These pads are softer and do not damage the rotor when the car is driven on the highway. I have put over 35K miles on this brake installation with NO MORE BRAKE ISSUES. Guys and girls, the rotors are not warped. It's the problem EBC outlined in their writeup. If you use softer pads, clean the mounting surface on the axle where the rotor mates to it, and torque your wheels back to specification, you will most likely be able to forget this issue. I have trouble free brakes now. I cannot believe Auto Zone's Duralast brake rotors which are reputed to be made in China are superior to the GM factory parts. The only answer MUST be the softer pads. If your HHR doesn't have a lot of miles on it and you want to have your factory rotors turned, installing softer pads might rid you of your brake issues as well. I can't say for sure because I replaced the rotors too. Total cost was right at $120. Yes, I spent money out of my pocket, but my brakes do not chatter today. What's an ulcer or a headache from countless installations of pads that are too hard and will produce the same problem worth? One owner reported installing some very expensive kevlar pads and slotted rotors only to get the same results. If you examine the retainer on the HHR the pad has two tabs each of which sits in a slot. The pad is free to sit and rock back and forth against the rotor as you drive. You can all sy what you want and throw all the stones you desire, but MY BRAKES WORK and they are trouble free. The factory pads are too hard a compound and replacement ceramic pads most likely are as well. I invite all you learned folks to do your own research. I did mine.

 

Thank you. I've been waiting for someone to step up. And if y'all are not aware, Chevy has a "My Chevy" site. I've registered my truck and Fiance's HHR SS (GCSD3742). He didn't believe that they'd do something, and they contacted him in 2 days.

I know most know on the SS version of the HHR the testing was done on the same track as the ZR1, why not give the HHR similarly built rotors....

Lisa