- #64 of 73
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Re: Time for brake $ervice? [beedublu]
by nickd
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Mar 20, 2009 (6:48 am)
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Replying to: beedublu (Mar 20, 2009 6:18 am)
My rear brakes only get between 50 and 60k before the inboard pad on the passenger side wears to the wear indicator. At that point it makes a screeching/scraping noise. You CANNOT see this through the spokes of the wheels. I do it myself for the cost of $25 pads but you have to have a caliper piston screwdown tool to do the rears (about $40 on Amazon). They turn the piston while depressing it which is necessary, unlike the fronts which you can squeeze with a pair of channel locks. I would probably go with an independent as it's a very easy job. Also, I've never had those rotors turned since either and it's never been a problem. You may get some very minor brake squeal though if you don't. My guess is that an independent garage would charge about $200-$250 for the job and a dealer about about $100 more than that.
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- #65 of 73
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Re: Time for brake $ervice? [nickd]
by scanman88gt
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Mar 20, 2009 (9:32 am)
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Replying to: nickd (Mar 20, 2009 6:48 am)
I just did the brakes on my Maxx today. It cost me $54.55 total from O'Reilly's for the pads, and my local mechanic charged me $100 for putting them on. I was surprised by the rear pistons screwing in like that. I've never seen anything like that that before. How long does it take for them to return to their "normal" position after screwing them in like that? Any specific tips on getting the pads seated all way round? A couple of hard stops shoud do it, right?
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- #66 of 73
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Re: Time for brake $ervice? [scanman88gt]
by nickd
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Mar 20, 2009 (2:20 pm)
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Replying to: scanman88gt (Mar 20, 2009 9:32 am)
The reason they screw in is because of the emergency brake mechanism I believe. They don't screw out so as soon as you step on the brake the piston will go out and engage the pad. You don't even need a hard stop.
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- #67 of 73
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Re: Time for brake $ervice? [beedublu]
by maxxliberty
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Mar 21, 2009 (7:30 am)
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Replying to: beedublu (Mar 20, 2009 6:18 am)
>Did you have it done at your dealer, a Goodyear-type place or an independent?< Most trouble-free service I've had has been from small shops that are owned by the guy doing the job - who should be a ASE certified Master Technician. I'm in the South and some time ago had brake work done by a place called "Just Brakes" - not recommended. Have had Sears do some work - not recommended. Had a ASE Master Tech do some work - excellent.
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- #68 of 73
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Re: Time for brake $ervice? [nickd]
by pao
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Mar 23, 2009 (3:40 am)
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Replying to: nickd (Mar 20, 2009 6:48 am)
Im averaging about 65-70K between brakes...on my third set now wiht 140K on the car....Im not a mechanic, nor do I have the space, tools or time to do the work..my experience is roughly $200 an axle, which includes pads, and labor to install and turn the rotors....I have never gotten the Maxx out of a brake job for less than $400...and that is in Northern VA through both a local ASE self employed mechanic...and Merchants Tire....with another ASE mechanic that I perfer to use there.......add rotor replacement and its another $150 an axle for the parts....
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- #69 of 73
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Re: Intermittent Front End Shaking and Noise [pao]
by scanman88gt
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Mar 23, 2009 (9:57 am)
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Replying to: pao (Mar 19, 2009 10:59 am)
One thing I forgot to mention is that one of the wheels for my Maxx has a pretty good ding along the outside edge (almost like a curb was run over or something), although they were able to balance the wheel when I had the new tires installed. I had forgotten that this wheel was on the passenger side rear before I got the tires rotated about a month ago (which is coincidentally when the wife started to complain about this problem).
After getting the dealer to replace the outer tie rod end on the passenger side front and putting new brakes on all way round last Friday, I had the tire with the dinged rim moved back to the rear of the car. We took a trip yesterday with 2-1/2 hrs of driving each way, and didn't feel a single ominous vibration of any type, so I think the problem may be fixed. I was really surprised at how cheesy the design on these wheels looks (we have the factory steel rims with the fake aluminum colored wheel covers). Are the factory alloy wheels for this car any beefier in construction than the steel wheels? It doesn't look like it would take much to damage these stock wheels.
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- #70 of 73
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Re: cabin filter [pao]
by kurtamaxxxguy
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Mar 23, 2009 (11:11 am)
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Replying to: pao (Mar 19, 2009 11:00 am)
The filter is easy to change. You have to first get the glove box door to drop down fully, which you can do by opening the door, then pulling the sides of the drawer towards the center of the drawer (this lets their molded-in stops clear the glove box housing's sides).
Then look towards the top of the opening and you will see a small latch and door on the side of the HVAC housing. Once the latch is opened (you either press it down or flip it - it's been a year since I've owned a Maxx), the door can be raised and you can then pull the cabin air filter out and replace it.
'04 Maxxes did not come with the filter. I juryrigged a Saturn ION filter and plastic support mesh inside my HVAC filter opening, which worked very well.
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- #71 of 73
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Re: Intermittent Front End Shaking and Noise [scanman88gt]
by kurtamaxxxguy
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Mar 23, 2009 (11:12 am)
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Replying to: scanman88gt (Mar 23, 2009 9:57 am)
The alloy wheels are reasonably sturdy. However, you have to be careful when having them torqued as over torquing (over 100 lbs per wheel lug) will cause brake rotor deformation and pulsing brakes.
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- #72 of 73
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Re: replacing the rear wiper [kiltman]
by vasy1
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Apr 02, 2009 (12:00 pm)
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Replying to: kiltman (Jun 01, 2007 2:30 pm)
new rear refill: blade wsw 1039-2621 (chevy part number)
or Trico 45205 wiper refill (have to trim); ANCO N-14R, 350 mm
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- #73 of 73
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Repair Manuals Available?
by maritime_maxx
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Nov 24, 2009 (6:36 am)
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Are there any Haynes or Chiltons repair manuals for the 2004-07 Malibu (/Maxx)? I can't find anything on a Google search.
Also, what are the best sites online to buy parts for the Maxx? I live in Canada, so shipping fees are important. Thanks. We've had our Maxx for 5 months now and so far, so excellent! 
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