2002 IMPALA brakes warp! Need help!

[1QWIK6]

I have a 2002 Chevy Impala. The frt brakes need replacing a lot. Car has 50,000 miles and have replaced the brakes 3 times now. The rotors always seem to warp after a few thousand miles. Someone mentioned something about using the PARK BRAKE EVERY DAY so your read brakes will be adjusted properly!! Can this be right?

Anyone work at a GM Dealership that can pull a Service Bulletin about this? And ASE guys here?

 

[kh440]

I'll talk with the shop foreman this afternoon, I'll post or pm what I find out.

 

[kh440]

A couple of things I need to know though:
Are the pads wearing unevenly?
What brand pads/rotors are you using?
What kind of driving do you do (stop-go/highway/mixed)

 

[NJ Torque]

What kind of pad, as above asked? Organic?

 

[1QWIK6]

The pads seemed to be wearing normally. The pads and rotors (due to excessive warping) were replaced with O.E.M. parts. Also a mix or city and highway driving.

 

[BuickMike]

I've got a '99 Regal GS which probably has a similar (if not the same) brake setup. I bought the car with 55K miles and the rotors were shot. I got some Autozone rotors for about $30 ea and put on Ceramic pads. So far, so good. I've put 10k on the car in mostly stop and go traffic.

 

[wlaukaitis]

Rotors are cheesy these days.

Make sure they torque the wheels down (I go 110 ft-lbs on my maxima), do not use an impact gun. If 1 of those lugs it tighter/looser than the others and you do a nice hard stop, they will warp. Rotor temps can get high!

Do you have a hard time getting the wheels off? 110 is tight enough but you are looking for even tightness all the way around, not only that they should torque them, test the brakes and re-torque them.

 

[kshef]

we have a 99 park avenue that has alot of pulsation in the brakes
the pads are ok but rotors are turned and resurfaced all the time

 

[87 Pete]

I'm curious about this too. My brother's GS had all 4 rotors re-surfaced, but they still pulsed, eventually the dealer replaced them under warranty, and all is good.

Now the brakes on my GS are starting to pulse pretty good, I guess replacement is about the only long-term option? Anyone know if the autozone ones will hold up?

Pete

 

[kshef]

new rotors didnt help, pulsation still came back

 

[1QWIK6]

DOES anyone know about adjusting the rear brakes with the parking brake on a 2002 IMPALA??? I talked to an ASE mechanic and he says for how fast the brakes wear and rotors warp, it sounds like all the pressure is up front and non-or-little pressure to the rear.

IS THERE A GM/SERIVE BULLTIN ABOUT THIS?

 

[kh440]

Park brake shoe adjustment:
Tool required: J21177-A drum to brake shoe clearance gage (or equiv)

Removal:
1: Remove rear caliper bracket
2: Remove rear brake rotor:NOTE: turn slowly while pulling away from hub
3: Loosen adjusting nut on parking brake cable until lever is in "rest" position
4: Position gage so that makes contact with the INSIDE diameter of rotor
5: Position gage over shoe and lining at its widest point.
6: Turn adjuster nut until shoe just contacts gage
7: Repeat procedure for other side.
8: Adjust the adjuster nut on rear parking brake cable.


Adjusting rear park brake cables:
1: Adjust rear parking brake shoe/lining
2: Apply and release park brake fully six times
3: Verify brake releases fully (turn ignition ON Verify brake lamp is off) NOTE: if lamp is still on, ensure brake pedal is fully released. Remove slack in front cable by pulling downward on the cable)
4: raise and suitably support the vehicle
5: Adjust cable by turning the nut on the equalizer while spinning BOTH rear wheels. When either wheel starts to drag, back off the nut one full turn
6: Apply parking brake 4 clicks and inspect rotation of rear wheels: They should not rotate forward: and they should drag or not rotate backward
7: release park brake and verify wheels rotate freely.

(source: GM factory service manual edition#GMP/00-WCI-1P)

 

[1QWIK6]

Which procedure will fix my brake problem?

 

[kh440]

Here's what I learned from everybody in the shop......
There really hasn't been a history of the "w" body (impala/monte carlo/regal, et.al) as far as brake problems, and no known tsb's or campaigns about such. If the rear brakes are worn it can cause extra stress and heat on the fronts, which warps rotors. Consensus opinion is to try these things:
adjust parking brake shoes and cables;examine rear pads;check the slide pins front and rear for dirt buildup and clean thoroughly; clean front wheel hubs thoroughly and don't over torque the lugs. I'll have to get the GM recommended setting for you tomorrow.

 

[1QWIK6]

Thanks KH440!

 

[kh440]

You're welcome, let me know if I can be of further help (but doe sthis mean we have to be nice to each other in pissing contest forum?? (lol)