Well the difference between your old Jimmy and an HHR is like comparing apples to oranges I'm afraid. The GMC was based on a truck frame with truck parts, everything was truck sourced, hence they were beefy and heavy duty.

The HHR is classified as a truck my GM and a good number of states, but its based on GM's Delta Platform which it shares with the Chevy Cobalt, Pontiac G-5, Saturn Ion, and a SAAB. Its car based, with car components mostly, although some are beefed up.

The brake judder issue also affects all of its cousins to a degree, but the HHR drew the short stick because of its slightly heavier weight. I'm sure that once they take care of your issue, you're going to be happy.

The deal with the rear brakes is nothing to stress about, its just a thing to have them do every time its serviced, my 2011 started doing it at 9,000 miles because the dealer didn't adjust them when asked....they only made that mistake once.

You can upgrade the front rotors and pads, but have them service it, then drive it for a while before committing to changing the hardware.

As for rear discs, way more trouble, expense, and engineering than its worth.

 

right on mr DLV,

whats a big break kit? any 411 on that?
thx

 

right on 843 thanx man!!

 

We got our's here at over half price off of list because he searched and claimed an overstock item .....

http://www.tceperformanceproducts.co...cobalt/kits-6/

Others have went with Napa Premium Disc with great results! It being a waranty issue I'm pretty sure they won't supply you with new disc (your best option along with the rear brake adjustment) as they will try and buffalo you into thinking that turning the originals will make the issue perminately go away! Yeah they'll work for a while but the original heat cycled disc will be more subseptable to re-warping.....

Best-O-Luck ,

 

oops called ya mr. lol
sorry mrs dlv, right on thx for the 411 !!!

 

Mine work fine.. But I do maintain the rear adjustments as well...

 

X 2

Adjust and ye shall be happy, neglect and ye shall be sorry.

 

The last two replys are very true but a 3,000 mile vehicle shouldn't have went bad already! We adjusted our rear brakes intermidentley and didn't have shudder issues until 20,000 mile mark! Would also think most rear brake adjustment recommendations come at others expense or until it is to late.....

Best-O-Luck ,

 

You have a valid point Kevin, but you have to figure in the high percentage of city driving done by CJ3, 75% of his miles are accumulated in stop and go city traffic. Having never been to Los Gatos I don't know what sort of speeds are reached between the lights, but heavy city driving does give the brakes a workout...with little chance to cool between stops.

As I think of my last visit to Los Angeles, the traffic seemed hell bent on turning every green light into the start of an NHRA drag race, and every red light into turn six at Road Atlanta...AKA...maximum braking effort.

Plus, there's a pretty good chance his rear brakes were out of adjustment right off the transporter, because we both know that dealers "accidentally miss" things on the pre-delivery checklist.

 

Two issues in play here. The pads were never bedded in or seated in unless you did it or the rear shoes are out of adj.

The issue is the front pads on a HHR are not the higest quality and if you get them hot and they have never bedded in they will leave pad material on the rotor. One stop from a highway and then sitting at the end of the ramp with the pads clamped to the hot rotor will make the pad material stick. Seating or bedding them in prevents this. with the low miles I would guess this is your issue.

The brakes on this vehicle are sesitive and if they are never bedded they will create the judder. When you change pads ues a better quaity pad and seat them in and it should never be an issue again unless you really abuse the brakes.

Note the brakes on this car are similar or the same on even heavier cars like the Malibu and G6. I own a 08 Malibu and it never has an issue even at 400 heavier than my HHR.