Front Rotors Needed To Be Cut at 6000 miles
Senior Member
Joined: 05-13-2006
Posts: 2,334
From: Chicago,IL
When My brakes started to squeak, I hadn`t had the wheels rotated yet. The wheels were just as they came from ( I presume ) the factory.
At the 6,000mi. oil /rotation time, I told the serv. guy to check the brakes, squeaking, that`s when he said it was caused by armorall.. Stopped using armorall (wiped on after that ) but the squeak didn`t stop.
At the 6,000mi. oil /rotation time, I told the serv. guy to check the brakes, squeaking, that`s when he said it was caused by armorall.. Stopped using armorall (wiped on after that ) but the squeak didn`t stop.
Senior Member
Joined: 10-14-2005
Posts: 5,359
From: SoCal
Front brake squeaking on an HHR is usually caused by no lubrication on the back of the pads. Pull your pads, grab a tube of "brake quiet" lube, put a little dab on the backing plates and you will be golden. Dealers are usually just a waste of time on this because they "can't repeat the problem." 
Senior Member
Joined: 06-21-2006
Posts: 3,100
From: Chicago
Originally Posted by SoCalHHR
Front brake squeaking on an HHR is usually caused by no lubrication on the back of the pads. Pull your pads, grab a tube of "brake quiet" lube, put a little dab on the backing plates and you will be golden. Dealers are usually just a waste of time on this because they "can't repeat the problem."
Hey Mike
This is very good information that you just put out, Maybe that is the problem with the fleet of Police vehicles that I have. The PWC Public works Center tells me that we need to use a high presure water hose to flush out all the brake dust. Some times it works and then again some times it doesn't.
By the way I'm still trying to have my pipes installed, No luck as of yet but I will not give up. I just hope that when I do have them installed I can get thru all the Snow here in Chicago. wish me luck.
Senior Member
Joined: 10-14-2005
Posts: 5,359
From: SoCal
Originally Posted by Z-Man
Hey Mike
This is very good information that you just put out, Maybe that is the problem with the fleet of Police vehicles that I have. The PWC Public works Center tells me that we need to use a high presure water hose to flush out all the brake dust. Some times it works and then again some times it doesn't.
By the way I'm still trying to have my pipes installed, No luck as of yet but I will not give up. I just hope that when I do have them installed I can get thru all the Snow here in Chicago. wish me luck.
This is very good information that you just put out, Maybe that is the problem with the fleet of Police vehicles that I have. The PWC Public works Center tells me that we need to use a high presure water hose to flush out all the brake dust. Some times it works and then again some times it doesn't.
By the way I'm still trying to have my pipes installed, No luck as of yet but I will not give up. I just hope that when I do have them installed I can get thru all the Snow here in Chicago. wish me luck.
You will probably need to use it more often in fleet usage, and after heavy winters or frequent steam cleanings, as the lube gets blown off the backing plates. Should take care of your noise probs though. Especially on HHR's.
Hope it helps,
Senior Member
Joined: 03-06-2006
Posts: 304
From: DETROIT
Originally Posted by Z-Man
Maybe that is the problem with the fleet of Police vehicles that I have. The PWC Public works Center tells me that we need to use a high presure water hose to flush out all the brake dust. Some times it works and then again some times it doesn't.
Although disc quite aid's in preventing squeaks, it's not the cure-all for every application. Brake pad composition is a science (to describe it best). OEM's strive to produce pads that don't squeak/dust up, but that's usually at the sacrifice of performance (quicker stops). To throw another variable in the mix, ROTOR composition is another consideration. More importantly- how the two react together (under 'typcial' braking conditions). Then there's also the environment (hot, cold, wet, dry, etc...)... so the list goes on
. Overall, however, I must say that I'm VERY impressed with the HHR's 'lack' of dusting up wheels while still providing impressive stopping! Definitely not like my wife's Saab 9-3 (awful dusting with OEM set-up).For the money (like $2) the lube is worth a shot, but bear in mind there are a lot of other factors that result in brake noise.
As for torquing the wheel's down to 75 OR 100ft.lbs.- it shouldn't matter... as long as it's done correctly and evenly.
Just like Black Beauty stated, most people buy a new vehicle so they don't have to work on it- unless they choose to do so.
Senior Member
Joined: 12-21-2005
Posts: 1,010
From: Launch Coast Calif.
Originally Posted by SCOOT
Z...
Although disc quite aid's in preventing squeaks, it's not the cure-all for every application. Brake pad composition is a science (to describe it best). OEM's strive to produce pads that don't squeak/dust up, but that's usually at the sacrifice of performance (quicker stops). To throw another variable in the mix, ROTOR composition is another consideration. More importantly- how the two react together (under 'typcial' braking conditions). Then there's also the environment (hot, cold, wet, dry, etc...)... so the list goes on. Overall, however, I must say that I'm VERY impressed with the HHR's 'lack' of dusting up wheels while still providing impressive stopping! Definitely not like my wife's Saab 9-3 (awful dusting with OEM set-up).
For the money (like $2) the lube is worth a shot, but bear in mind there are a lot of other factors that result in brake noise.
As for torquing the wheel's down to 75 OR 100ft.lbs.- it shouldn't matter... as long as it's done correctly and evenly.
Just like Black Beauty stated, most people buy a new vehicle so they don't have to work on it- unless they choose to do so.
Although disc quite aid's in preventing squeaks, it's not the cure-all for every application. Brake pad composition is a science (to describe it best). OEM's strive to produce pads that don't squeak/dust up, but that's usually at the sacrifice of performance (quicker stops). To throw another variable in the mix, ROTOR composition is another consideration. More importantly- how the two react together (under 'typcial' braking conditions). Then there's also the environment (hot, cold, wet, dry, etc...)... so the list goes on
. Overall, however, I must say that I'm VERY impressed with the HHR's 'lack' of dusting up wheels while still providing impressive stopping! Definitely not like my wife's Saab 9-3 (awful dusting with OEM set-up).For the money (like $2) the lube is worth a shot, but bear in mind there are a lot of other factors that result in brake noise.
As for torquing the wheel's down to 75 OR 100ft.lbs.- it shouldn't matter... as long as it's done correctly and evenly.
Just like Black Beauty stated, most people buy a new vehicle so they don't have to work on it- unless they choose to do so.
I always use the spray on type of noise reduction from permatex..
you layout your disc pads with the backing face up.. spray a few light coats inbetween each coat... and there you go...
Since I don't have OEM brake shoes, pads, rotors anymore.. I can't relate to the problems the members are having..
Senior Member
Joined: 10-14-2005
Posts: 5,359
From: SoCal
Originally Posted by CameraCrew
2007 for 2 weeks now, ever since day one it has a terrible wobble or shimmy while braking hard. Steering wheel vibrates something awful, is this normal?
Read this entire post for the cure.
