Dear joeypete,

I have read your post about the sound that are experiencing when you apply the brakes on your 2011 Chevrolet HHR. I completely understand how annoying this sound can be.

I would like to thank you for sharing your steps that you have taken in your situation. If you are not comfortable with the diagnosis information that the Chevrolet dealership had provided you with, you can take the HHR to another service department at another General Motors dealership for a second opinion. This is just an idea to ponder.

Since, I am not an ASE certified technician, I cannot confirm or deny that this is due to the material that is used when making the brake pads. However, I am very thankful to have read your post.

Please, keep in mind that you can contact me with comments, questions and/or concerns.

Sincerely,
Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service

 

New pads were installed today. I'm babying the car right now until I get a little break in but no noise for the time being.They said they had pad problems with a few Impalas such as I have had.

 

The Impalas had a known big issue. Just do a little google action.... My buddy has a newer Impala and unfortunately for him he did not want to bother me with the issue or to look at his brakes. He took it to the Dealer. Instead of the Dealer fixing the issue under warranty or good faith they banged him for full brakes & rotors.

I had an issue with my 09 HHR where it would make noise on the passenger side front brakes while in stop and go traffic-a heat generated condition. When I took it in for it's first oil change (by the way-never back to that dealer...chipped my hood in several places with the overhead oil fill-then didn't know how to reset my OLM. Watch what you OK on your service paperwork-fine print on mine said not responsible for damage to your car-just picture the parking attendants in Ferris Beulers Day Off) I notified the service manager who blew it off as a RUST condition? I didn't know rust forms in 28 miles of stop & go Belt Parkway traffic every day driving home. Anyway I pulled the front wheels when I got home and found that the caliper slide pins had NO GREASE on the passenger side and almost none on the drivers. The assembly line person must have been allowed to skip that step for good behavior. I greased them with Permitex Synthetic Brake Grease (green). No issues since-did it 25,000 miles ago.

Minor issue to correct-And I still love my HHR. (Don't like the Dealer though)

 

Dear BlackknighT,

I have read your post about your experience at the dealership when you took it in for your first oil change service. I apologize that you had to encounter this of experience with that particular dealership. Would you like me to research your area for other dealership that you can visit? If you would like me to do this please, provide me with your zip code and I will get this done for you.

I am glad that you are not experiencing this any longer, but I apologize that you had to perform the work yourself when you just brought it home from the service department.

Don't hesitate to contact me with questions and/or concerns.

Sincerely,
Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service

 

I've had some warranty & recall work on my wifes Cobalt & my HHR at another dealer near me-Robert Chevrolet in NY 11801 and have been very happy with them so far. From the Service writer to the service Manager & even Parts guy. My Kudos to them. It is a shame more Dealers are not the same. Thanks Michelle for your helping out the guys!

The other Dealership-Sun in Bohemia NY-once they sold me the HHR it seems the owner "forgot" about me once he sold me the HHR. They charged me a few hundred dollar prep fee which I said don't prep the car & save me the money.... Charge me anyway and then did not prep the car the way the salesman said "with carnuba hand wax". Well guess what-no wax on the car-no water beading-go figure, charge me for an air waxing... I ended up the same day I brought the car home waxing it and prepping it myself anyway. Magically the water beaded after my carnuba wax. He also was supposed to send my friend who recommended me to him a "thank you" "free oil changes, Visa Gift Card, something, seeing as how my friend had not only bought several Chevys from Sun, but had recommended 3 others who bought from Sun also. Not only did they forget about me & him they tried to mess with my friend on a deal on a new Chevy Truck from them-after 7 different cars had been bought from that dealership! Luckily he went to another Chevy Dealership and had no issues at all. I am still waiting on some email responses from Sun Bohemias owner from over a year ago. I know where not to send anyone to....Sorry-just very unhappy with them.

 

Dear BlackknighT,

Thank you for the additional information about the experiences that you have faced at these particular dealerships.

I am happy to read that Robert Chevrolet in New York has been doing right by you and your wife.

Please do not apologize for sharing your complaints about the other dealership with me. I really need to know these things so that I can get them documented and to the department that handles the dealership complaints. I am sorry that you and your friend have had that type of experience at that particular dealership.

Could you please, check your private messages? I would like to be able to further document your compliment and complaint. However, in order for me to do so, I will need additional information.

Thank you,
Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service

 

i was thinking it had a problem with the automatic tire preasure. i really thank u all for the assistance.

 

That "groan" noise does not seem to be a performance/safety issue. It sure is annoying, especially when the OL is not even in the car! I cannot figure out what it is either, It has happened through about 5 or 6 brake jobs for me, different types & brands of pads, new and re-surfaced rotors etc. It may be from the way that the anti-chatter backing plates on the pads barely contact the outer caliper "fingers", just a guess.