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Chevrolet Impala Brakes

31 messages,  Last post on Sep 04, 2008 at 12:46 PM

You are in the Chevrolet Impala Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Impala, Brakes, Sedan

Messages Page 3 of 4

#12 of 31 Re: break noise/trembling Impala LS 2001 [nosirrahg] by linw

Jan 07, 2008 (9:07 pm)

Replying to: nosirrahg (Jan 07, 2008 8:40 pm)
Thank you, Nosirrahg,for your reply. So far I cannot feel this when steering wheel. Probably it will come up later. Anyway, in case the steering shaft is the problem, how much does it cost to fix, and it DIY possible? Thank you.

#13 of 31 Re: break noise/trembling Impala LS 2001 [linw] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jan 08, 2008 (11:36 am)

Replying to: linw (Jan 04, 2008 9:29 pm)
Sounds like your ABS is just working normally, especially if you were on snow. What you feel is the computer very rapidly applying and disengaging your brakes.

#14 of 31 Re: break noise/trembling Impala LS 2001 [Mr_Shiftright] by quietpro

Jan 10, 2008 (5:46 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jan 08, 2008 11:36 am)
That is my call too...ABS. I recommend to anyone who is unfamiliar with the feeling of ABS to find a safe area and try it out (empty parking lots are good). Make sure you have no loose items on the seats (or in the trunk) and make a few "panic" stops (of course while there's no need to panic). The feeling and sound of ABS engaging can be distracting at a minimum and, in the worst cases, prompt someone to release the brake. Any place with limited traction will do such as snow (if you have it), wet pavement, and less desireably, gravel or sand. You can do this on dry pavement as well but you will REALLY have to press the brakes and some folks aren't comfortable with that. Nothing will be damaged on a properly operating vehicle and if something is going to break, better to find out in a safe place than on the highway doing 60 mph.
 
My sister just had an accident where she failed to negotiate a turn. She told me that the whole time she was approaching the guard rail that she inevitably hit, the only thought going through her mind was, "don't hit the brakes, don't hit the brakes!" She was taught this over 30 yrs ago and just wasn't fully aware of the capabilities of modern cars. Most likely, if she HAD used her brakes, there would've been no accident at all.
 
Those of us who try to stay informed often assume that everyone knows of these (now) extremely common safety features on cars. However, you'd likely be surprised to find out how many have no idea.

#15 of 31 Re: break noise/trembling Impala LS 2001 [quietpro] by cnw

Jan 10, 2008 (7:50 pm)

Replying to: quietpro (Jan 10, 2008 5:46 am)
Ron--I hope your sister is OK and the damage to the car is minimal (repairable). I had a similar situation several years ago in eastern New Mexico: Early in the morning--just at sunrise--I had a deer cross in front of us; he came across the highway in a dead run, crossing from out of my field of view. My wife screamed "DEER!!" and I hit the brakes and steered left, ABS shuddering all the while. It worked as the engineers designed--I retained steering control under maximum braking effort and was able to miss the deer by an extremely narrow margin. I have subsequently taught my newly licensed daughters what the ABS feels like when engaged. My oldest had it engage just the other day; her knowledge kept her from getting off the brake--which would have resulted in a collision. I agree with you--anyone who has ABS needs to become familiar with the feel when it engages, and they need to temper their years of conditioning with awareness of modern technological capabilites. Take care, Clark

#16 of 31 Re: break noise/trembling Impala LS 2001 [cnw] by quietpro

Jan 19, 2008 (4:26 pm)

Replying to: cnw (Jan 10, 2008 7:50 pm)
Clark,
  Thanks for your concern. Yes, she is fine (and so is her grandaughter). The car had $3K in damage, I believe, but she was fully insured.
 
The repairs only took a couple days however, they did notice the new bumper had not lined up evenly. The body shop said it isn't possible to get it even but I wholeheartedly disagree. She's not the confrontational type but I think she's going to get her husband involved. I told her to tell her insurance company about it as they would very likely demand it be done right. Any thoughts?
 
Thanks,
Ron

#17 of 31 Re: break noise/trembling Impala LS 2001 [quietpro] by cnw

Jan 19, 2008 (6:27 pm)

Replying to: quietpro (Jan 19, 2008 4:26 pm)
Ron,
 
I agree with your assessment. I think the body shop is just attempting to say, "It's too hard to get it right and I don't want to put that amount of effort in it." I think the insurance company should support your sister; the intent is to return it to "as good as new" condition. If they accept less than quality work, where do they draw the line--shabby paint (orange peel, over-spray, thin color coat, etc), uneven filling/sanding, mis-matched colors? Granted, those are extreme examples, but if they accept less than quality in any area, then they're setting themselves up for any or all of the above. Your sister pays insurance premiums based on the understanding that damages will be corrected; my interpretation of correct is "unable to distinguish that a repair has been made." Regards, Clark

#18 of 31 Re: break noise/trembling Impala LS 2001 [cnw] by quietpro

Jan 19, 2008 (9:22 pm)

Replying to: cnw (Jan 19, 2008 6:27 pm)
Thanks for the affirmation...that's exactly how I feel about it as well.

#19 of 31 body slide after parking by tcs012

Mar 24, 2008 (11:20 am)

#20 of 31 body slide after parking by tcs012

Jan 23, 2008 (9:24 am)

First of all, hi!
 
It's about my 2007 Impala LT.
It didn't happend until couple of months ago.
 
Whenever I parked my car, my Impala tends to slide a bit. I mean a lot compared to the other cars.
So I took to the services but they told me that it's normal. One guy even told me that it's a 'feature', called something-brake-system. Two different service shop, same opinion; no problems found.
 
Everyone in my family noticed the sliding. Some says not much, but I feel it almost every time when I park. Over the years, our family owned 8 different cars, 4 of them Chevy, but never had this kind of problem/issue/feature(?).
 
So I did a little testing. I parked my Impala on a flat surface, then pushed the car car a little. Even with not alot of force, the body slided quite a few inches. I tested with other cars that was parked on our house but no other cars moved as much as my Impala. I told this to the service but they told me that every car is different and there's nothing we can do about it. They adviced to use parking brake, but come on..
 
Am I being too sensitive? Is it really nothing to worry about?
 
Thanks for any replies.

#21 of 31 Re: body slide after parking [tcs012] by quietpro

Jan 27, 2008 (5:13 pm)

Replying to: tcs012 (Jan 23, 2008 9:24 am)
I've never heard to this referred to as sliding so I had to read to see what you were referring to.
 
I would agree with your service reps. This is completely normal and different makes/models will "roll" a little more or less than each other. I wouldn't be concerned unless you hear a "ratcheting" sound like the vehicle is slipping out of it's parking gear.
 
As for the parking brake, anytime you park on an incline, you should be in the habit of using it. Not just for the added safety but for the reduced stress on the transaxle. Although it will hold in almost every case, it's not actually designed for that much stress. It will also be easier for you to get the car into gear when you leave.

Messages Page 3 of 4

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