F**K.

[Cory Wolfe]

The Cobalt's brakes just committed suicide. One minute I had brakes, the next... *grind, shake, screech, clank* It feels like the front pads decided to disintegrate. It was very sudden. I knew I would probably need brakes soon, but I certainly wasn't expecting that. I haven't had any time to inspect them, but needless to say, it can't be driven like this. I have half the braking power and its very obviously doing further damage by the sounds and vibrations its making. I hear and feel more from the left side, so it may just be the front left.

Another random issue: My ignition release is being screwy. Turning off the key requires hitting the shift lever a few times before the key will release. It use to be an every now and then sort of thing. Now its every single time.

I definitely just about emptied my bank account on the Golf, too. I might as well work on getting the final touches done so I can drive it instead. My latest shipment of parts just arrived today.

[NINETY EIGHT REGENCY]

I am so sorry. I had a day like you are experiencing right now yesterday. It was the whole day and a series of things. It was not all car related. I do understand ....

[z28luvr01]

The Cobalt's brakes just committed suicide. One minute I had brakes, the next... *grind, shake, screech, clank* It feels like the front pads decided to disintegrate. It was very sudden. I knew I would probably need brakes soon, but I certainly wasn't expecting that. I haven't had any time to inspect them, but needless to say, it can't be driven like this. I have half the braking power and its very obviously doing further damage by the sounds and vibrations its making. I hear and feel more from the left side, so it may just be the front left.

Sounds like you might have blown a pad.

Another random issue: My ignition release is being screwy. Turning off the key requires hitting the shift lever a few times before the key will release. It use to be an every now and then sort of thing. Now its every single time.

It's apparently a common problem with automatic Cobalts (including mine). It has to do with the neutral-safety switch in the console. Next time I have to bring it in, I'll have them replace it - extended warranty should cover it.

[daves87rs]

I agree about the blown pad...I hate when stupid stuff like that happens....

[67impss]

Sounds like you might have blown a pad.

It's apparently a common problem with automatic Cobalts (including mine). It has to do with the neutral-safety switch in the console. Next time I have to bring it in, I'll have them replace it - extended warranty should cover it.

Probably just a cable or switch adjustment on the NSS & the pad yeah they get thin then overheat the bonding agent BOOM no brakes typical of bonded brake pads though the warning must have squealed for 'bout 10-12 weeks

It'll be a cheap fix if done yourself even getting the rotors turned @ pep boys for $5 each pads 20-$25 just do it now before any more damage is done mechanical or life & limb God speed

[Cory Wolfe]

Probably just a cable or switch adjustment on the NSS & the pad yeah they get thin then overheat the bonding agent BOOM no brakes typical of bonded brake pads though the warning must have squealed for 'bout 10-12 weeks

It'll be a cheap fix if done yourself even getting the rotors turned @ pep boys for $5 each pads 20-$25 just do it now before any more damage is done mechanical or life & limb God speed

The brakes have never squealed. They were quiet and in working order up until last night.

[67impss]

Had it rained & you went through a puddle that could have shock cooled the pad off?

[Cory Wolfe]

Had it rained & you went through a puddle that could have shock cooled the pad off?

It had rained yesterday, though I couldn't specifically tell you whether I hit any puddles just prior to them crapping out.

[CanadianBacon94]

both my Av and Sub squaled and vibrated before i got the brakes replaced this year both only had three pads and those remaining ones were worn

[Blake Noble]

You have worn pads. I had something similar happen to the Firebird that ended with the passenger side rotor, pad, and caliper being completely seized. The pad was worn down to the metal backing (this was only a short time after I bought it, so I didn't know the pads were that far gone yet). It didn't show much of any loss in stopping power or make any loud noises, either.

Check the pads out.

Edited April 28, 2010 by whiteknight

[Cory Wolfe]

You have worn pads.

Check the pads out.

Wow! I never would have guessed. Thanks!

I simply find it odd that it happened so suddenly. As mentioned, they hadn't even squealed up this point. A little roughness had developed recently, but nothing that made me believe I'd lose my brakes in a matter of maybe an hour. I'm also amazed that the factory brakes were only able to make it to 37k.

Edited April 28, 2010 by blackviper8891

[vonVeezelsnider]

Wow! I never would have guessed. Thanks!

I simply find it odd that it happened so suddenly. As mentioned, they hadn't even squealed up this point. A little roughness had developed recently, but nothing that made me believe I'd lose my brakes in a matter of maybe an hour. I'm also amazed that the factory brakes were only able to make it to 37k.

You said the weather was wet recently... did the weather then go below freezing shortly afterward?

Could it be possible that water got into wear related crevices in the brake pads, froze/expanded, and compromised the integrity of the pad?

[Blake Noble]

Wow! I never would have guessed. Thanks!

I simply find it odd that it happened so suddenly. As mentioned, they hadn't even squealed up this point. A little roughness had developed recently, but nothing that made me believe I'd lose my brakes in a matter of maybe an hour. I'm also amazed that the factory brakes were only able to make it to 37k.

A wise guy are ya? Them's fightin' werds down hurr.

Don't expect too much from factory GM brakes -- or any set of brakes really -- on Deltas and Epsilon cars. It seems they like to chew 'em up quick. The factory brakes on my parents' Aura went at 41k miles. I've heard similar stories as well concerning N-Body Grand Ams and Aleros.

[vonVeezelsnider]

A wise guy are ya? Them's fightin' werds down hurr.

Don't expect too much from factory GM brakes -- or any set of brakes really -- on Deltas and Epsilon cars. It seems they like to chew 'em up quick. The factory brakes on my parents' Aura went at 41k miles. I've heard similar stories as well concerning N-Body Grand Ams and Aleros.

I'd point out my fellow Canadian with a certain yellow Cobalt that has 160000km/100000mi on the factory brakes.

My car eats rotors and so does my Dad's new 09. On my 07 we had the rotors machined twice (20000km and 35000km) due to shuddering while braking before they eventually replaced the front rotors- problem solved touch wood. Obviously they didn't fix the issue because it's starting to crop up on my dad's 09 even though it has like 17000km on it right now. Perhaps it's telling that GM changed the rotor design for the current gen Impala twice, in 2009 and 2011.

[Cory Wolfe]

You said the weather was wet recently... did the weather then go below freezing shortly afterward?

Could it be possible that water got into wear related crevices in the brake pads, froze/expanded, and compromised the integrity of the pad?

It never dipped below 40 degrees F here.

A wise guy are ya? Them's fightin' werds down hurr.

Don't expect too much from factory GM brakes -- or any set of brakes really -- on Deltas and Epsilon cars. It seems they like to chew 'em up quick. The factory brakes on my parents' Aura went at 41k miles. I've heard similar stories as well concerning N-Body Grand Ams and Aleros.

I've heard about N-bodies and their ability to eat brakes. I was hoping something had changed since then. Obviously not.

[ocnblu]

I guess I dint keep my Delta cars long enough to expurrience any of wut you guys say. I never had any hint of brake problems, not even excessive dust on the rims.

[the_yellow_dart]

My brakes are finally starting to show some signs of wear now - the steering wheel shakes a bit under heavy braking.

I need a Drive-Clean inspection anyways, so I'll just get a Goodwrench garage to look at it (since they have a brake special anyways).

I'm just short of 170,000km now.

[67impss]

I've seen this happen since the FWD bandwagon started the rear brakes are almost just for show when my STE Turbo's rear disks rusted up I never noticed that there was a problem seemed to stop as normal. Igrew up with all those FWD cars starting my career as a mechanic their brakes sucked and still do the best were the Full sized & Seville Eldorado Toronado Riviera which had vented disks.My X11 went just 20K miles between pads every set till I took it to the scrap yard 67K miles

[daves87rs]

I still have a heathly amount of pad/rotor on my Cobalt, at 45k.....I might be able to get 50-60k out of them.....

[A Horse With No Name]

I am so sorry. I had a day like you are experiencing right now yesterday. It was the whole day and a series of things. It was not all car related. I do understand ....

I am sorry as well...it seems to be a $h!ty week for everyone I know...

[Cory Wolfe]

I took a quick look at the left side rotor and pads. The outside looks decent... the inside is all f**ked up. I couldnt see much, if any of the pad, and the rotor looks like only half the pad had been contacting the rotor.

[Camino LS6]

Sounds like the pad fractured and a chunk fell-off.

Rotors and pads are an easy fix, can be done before the engine cools.

[Intrepidation]

I need to do the rear brakes on my car soon. Just a shame finding quality parts is getting harder and harder to do.

[Cory Wolfe]

Aaaaaaand I just got word that I most likely don't have a job anymore as of Saturday.

[A Horse With No Name]

Sounds like the pad fractured and a chunk fell-off.

Rotors and pads are an easy fix, can be done before the engine cools.

+1

Aaaaaaand I just got word that I most likely don't have a job anymore as of Saturday.

Ouch...economy is in the crap hole...

[Intrepidation]

Aaaaaaand I just got word that I most likely don't have a job anymore as of Saturday.

That is no fun, sorry to hear dude. =/

[daves87rs]

That is no fun, sorry to hear dude.

+1

This market still sucks.....

[Camino LS6]

I feel your pain, BV.

[Cory Wolfe]

And confirmed. Today was my last day.

[A Horse With No Name]

Sorry to hear that, dude...good luck getting another one...

[Cory Wolfe]

Pictures pretty much say it all. The insides were sh!t, especially the driver side where the pad is pretty much nonexistent. Outside of each rotor was fine... with even the pads still having decent life left in them. I find it odd how there can be such a vast difference between each side of the rotor.

Edited May 2, 2010 by blackviper8891

[ocnblu]

I'll bet the last time it was inspected for the Commonwealth, the technician didn't even check the thickness of the inside pad. That's a shame.

Uneven caliper pressure? Is that anywhere near a normal occurrence?

[Cory Wolfe]

Last time it was inspected, it had about 13k on it. I would hope they weren't worn for GM's sake.

[SAmadei]

My Bonne does this on the passenger side inboard pad if I'm not careful. Everytime I switch out pads, I clean and lube the float sleeves with antisieze.

[Blake Noble]

Yup. Just about what I expected to see.