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Pontiac Grand Prix Brakes

81 messages,  Last post on Dec 10, 2008 at 6:14 AM

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#32 of 81 Brake Questions by rmozol Sep 12, 2006 (9:39 am)
The only stupid question is an unasked one! Ideally, the rotors should be smooth and flat, with no scratches at all. This way, the pads grip a smooth flat surface; the more area, the more stopping power. Your talking about two tons of weight, at 60 MPH, being stopped by 30 square inches? When you drill holes, for whatever reason, they should be chamfered too. If not, the hole edges will dig into the pads. The pads can also leave gouges scratches, in the rotors too depending upon their material. The more gouging/scratching, the more wear. The "rule of thumb" is that if you can catch a fingernail on it, it's too deep and it's just a matter of time before repair/replacement. Minor scratching is just pad particles; dirt basically. The scratching won't really wear a rotor down, but the gouging will. There's also wear indicators on the pads that start squealing when they get too low. The factory pads only have this thing on the inside pad since that one wears the most since it's on the pistons. My inner pad was pretty close to the wear indicator, with only 2 K miles on it. The best thing to do is watch the pad wear, and measure the rotor thickness and monitor it. I'm not sure what camel padding is either. Replies to this message: chats1 (Sep 13, 2006 5:40 am) rmozol (Sep 13, 2006 10:05 am) chats1 (Sep 14, 2006 4:47 am)
#33 of 81 Re: Brake Questions [rmozol] by chats1 Sep 13, 2006 (5:40 am)
Replying to: rmozol (Sep 12, 2006 9:39 am) thank you very much for your response re the brakes. My rotors seem smooth. My fingernail does not go into them. I made sure last night. Just got that black dust on my finger. Can I ask you where the pads are located? I can fit under the car. Can I look under the car and seem them or does the car have to be on a lift? Also, I had read about the squealing sound if the pads are going in the manual. I have no squealing noise. I have no noises. I am always listening for noises. OnStar sends me a monthly bulletin, which I really did not want, but they sent it anyway telling me that the engine is fine, anti-lock brake system, fine, emissions, fine, etc. thanks for your help. chats1 Replies to this message: rmozol (Sep 13, 2006 10:05 am) chats1 (Sep 14, 2006 4:47 am)
#34 of 81 Re: Brake Questions [chats1] by rmozol Sep 13, 2006 (10:05 am)
Replying to: chats1 (Sep 13, 2006 5:40 am) You can see the backs of the pads from the outside. They're sort of kidney shaped, with one on the inside of the rotor, and one out. If you look at the red caliper itself, you'll see two cutouts. It sort of looks like a bridge with two "channels" under it. The two channel-looking things are where you can see the back of the outer pad; if it's black, it's the pads, if red, the caliper. It will be rubberized feeling on the back of the pad too. This is to prevent the high frequency vibrations we hear as squealing. As far as the wear indicator, it's only on the inner factory pad since these move the most. You'd have to disassemble the caliper to see it though, unless you crawl under the car and look with a strong light. It's basically a piece of metal that scrapes on the rotor itself causing the noise; metal to metal scraping. It's only on one end of the inner pad too. Obviously, you're aware of it now, so you can do a detailed inspection at regular intervals like oil changing, tire pressure check, etc. I hope I didn't insult you with the basic explanation either. Replies to this message: chats1 (Sep 14, 2006 4:47 am)
#35 of 81 Re: Brake Questions [rmozol] by chats1 Sep 14, 2006 (4:47 am)
Replying to: rmozol (Sep 13, 2006 10:05 am) Thanks very much. I appreciate your help. You did not insult me at all. Thanks. Chats1
#36 of 81 Re: 2005 Pontiac GTP in Germany: I need help! [ajohnson187] by bmwguy2 Sep 20, 2006 (3:03 pm)
Replying to: ajohnson187 (May 20, 2006 8:01 am) hi my name is mike,i have a 01 gtp special edition coupe,i am also a bmw tech,i honestly can tell you dont listen to alot you may read ,first off,cols air intake is ok ,but if you go thru alittle rain water ,it will be ingested into the engine,,you can not compress water ,so damage will occur,its like jumping off a diving board in to a pool of water and landing on your stomach,ooouuucchhhh,cols air intake is for the track,no where else ,unless you have money to burn ,on the oem pontiac air intake box,the air filter sits high,with drains at the bottom to let the water out before it does damage,i see it in bmws all the time with dinan set ups on bmw m5s and m3s and on the 540 smart buying the car ,stupid for the cold air intake,they should have bought a ford and trashed something that was gargabe from the start
#37 of 81 Re: GXP premature brake wear!! [gsmith13027] by etcb Feb 19, 2007 (4:23 pm)
Replying to: gsmith13027 (Aug 10, 2006 6:49 am) Same here. I own a 2005 GXP and I'm on my second break job at 40K. Looks like this time my rotors are shot. Not to mention the special tires for the GXP will set you back a GRAND! The rear breaks are not affected. GM wonders why Toyota sells more cars? duh... Replies to this message: bmalugga (May 11, 2008 7:27 pm)
#38 of 81 Rotor Pieces by rmozol Mar 12, 2007 (8:51 pm)
I've been noticing lately that I'm getting a LOT of rusty specs in the paint on my white 2006 GXP. They've been telling me that it's road grit, but I'm beginning to wonder now. I think that it might be front rotor specs that are hot, and stick to the paint. It's all along the rocker panels, and the rear bumper. there's hundreds of these on both sides too. I went to the EBC Red pads, that are non-metallic too; for less brake dust. I only have 7K on this thing too! Replies to this message: rmozol (Mar 20, 2007 9:39 am)
#39 of 81 Re: Rotor Pieces [rmozol] by rmozol Mar 20, 2007 (9:39 am)
Replying to: rmozol (Mar 12, 2007 8:51 pm) Who makes ceramic pads for GXPs? I don't want all the brake dust either. Thanks.
#41 of 81 Gran Prix brakes by ocjohn Mar 31, 2007 (12:13 pm)
I have a 1992 Grand Prix with 4 wheel disk brakes I purchased new. It has the SE & LE package + a special package that gave it different suspension (lowered), body trim, wide 150 mph tires, special engine & drive train components. The brakes have been bad since I purchased the vehicle. I noticed this after taking delivery and returned to the Pontiac service with my problem. I was told there was nothing wrong with the brakes. I again returned and complained the brakes do not stop the car in an emergency stop but are adequate when normal stops are required. I explained, I have more stopping power at a medium pedal, than when I step hard on the brakes. It's as if I'm easing off and using less pressure for a more gentle stop when I apply them hard. This time they replaced the brake pads, I believe this was at around 6000-8000 miles. This, however, did not correct the problem. I then had premium pads & shoes installed elsewhere, this did not correct the problem either. I again went to the dealer for a repair solution but my car was returned untouched with the explanation I voided the warranty by having the brakes worked on elsewhere. Now I was on my own! I replaced the master cylinder for a few hundred dollars, again no improvement. Another shop said it was the power booster and $600+ later I still had bad brakes. I then replaced the rotors on all wheels and pads again, no improvement. I replaced the calipers, no improvement. Then I had installed race car pads and had vented rotors but still no improvement.   I then suspected the anti-lock brake unit. I wanted to replace it but was told it works as the factory built it. I suggested a different unit but was told it could not be done due to violation of some law regarding brake mods and I could be sued if I had a wreck because I modified it, plus my insurance company would then have reason to refuse the claim.   This car will run faster than I want to drive it even if I had normal brakes, thus the 150 mph tires it came with, but it won't stop.   I have driven it less than 52,000 miles in 15 years for this reason.   Does anyone have any suggestions? I have spent thousands of dollars with no results.   Thanks for your time. John Replies to this message: rmozol (Apr 03, 2007 8:32 pm) carvip (Jun 12, 2008 1:08 pm) bmalugga (Jun 12, 2008 6:27 pm) and 3 more... tsal1 (Jul 12, 2008 2:29 pm)

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