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Chevy Express/GMC Savana: Brakes

76 messages,  Last post on Sep 21, 2012 at 2:05 PM

You are in the Chevy Express & GMC Savana Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, Chevrolet Express Cargo, Van

Messages Page 8 of 8

#67 of 76 Re: Severe Vibration while Braking on Grade [badchevybrakes] by wheels88

Jul 26, 2011 (9:38 am)

Replying to: badchevybrakes (Jun 22, 2011 3:43 pm)
I am one of those people who is not mechanically talented so I depend on the experts in their field to do the right thing for me. Hence, I couldn't tell you whether sports or ultimax EBC rotors were used or what type of brake pads were used. Contact OCDiesel.com. They are very helpful and explained things to me so I could understand them. Ask for O-ney or Doug, and refer them to the fix they did on my van in December of last year. They'll remember. As far as getting reimbursement from GM and your dealership having closed down, don't worry about that. Persistance is the big thing. The dealership I was picketing was not where I bought the van. The van was purchased at a GM dealership 30 miles away from where I live, due to the van conversion I had done on it. It is located on a dead-end street, no traffic going by to see my picket sign, so I went to the nearest GM dealership to my house, 2 miles away. It is located on a very busy state highway...lots of vehicles going by. I was amazed how upset they got. "GM SUCKS" and
"GM BRAKES SUCK" were not the kind of signs they wanted in front of their business. I was turned down by GM for any reimbursement. The picketing and persistance was the only thing that got me any reimbursement at all. I told them I would accept 50% reimbursement and gave the general manager a copy of the bill. Good luck. Be persistent. Don't just go away. They are counting on you doing just that....giving up!

#68 of 76 Chevy Express 2500 brake shudder by praugh

Jul 26, 2011 (1:02 pm)

Like numerous other people here, we have experienced the severe brake shudder while going down extended downgrades. We always have to downshift and still experience the brake shudder. If we don't downshift we'll experience extreme shaking that feels almost as if we have two flat tires on the front. As is typical for everyone else, the shudder goes away once the brakes have had a chance to cool. We have had our brakes and rotors replaced, but the problem still has not gone away. Has anyone found a real fix for this issue? Wheels88...have your new rotors been tested in the mountains yet?

#69 of 76 Re: Chevy Express 2500 brake shudder [praugh] by wheels88

Jul 28, 2011 (2:49 pm)

Replying to: praugh (Jul 26, 2011 1:02 pm)
wheels88 here. Yes, my new rotors were tested coming back from the High Sierras on Sherwin Grade, a 10 mile, 6% downhill run last week. They performed like they should, slowing me down while towing my 7600 pound traveltrailer. I also had one more lengthy downhill stretch, the Cajon Pass. Everything was fine. Rotors were EBC brand and were slotted and dimpled, allowing the heat to disipate rapidly.

#70 of 76 GMC Savana 2500 Brake shudder by theodow

Aug 03, 2011 (5:08 am)

Hello Everybody,
 
I Bought Brembo sport slotted brake discs, http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/results.jsp?autoMake=GMC&autoModel=Savana&autoYea- r=2009&autoModClar=2500+8-Lug. I am very happy, these are oke, no problems with shuddering anymore. I already tried EBC and frozen rotors, both didn't work. Also now I know brake pads are not importand, i my case they are not responsable for shuddering

#71 of 76 Re: brake shudder in rear [taximech] by pete560

Aug 24, 2011 (3:46 pm)

Replying to: taximech (Sep 07, 2010 4:20 am)
I have the same problem with a 1999 express 3500. have you had anyone diagnose the problem correctly? have you fixed the issue? pleaseeeee let me know.THANKS!

#72 of 76 Re: brake shudder in rear [pete560] by lyndonk

Sep 07, 2011 (9:48 am)

Replying to: pete560 (Aug 24, 2011 3:46 pm)
I too have this problem on a 2000 Express 3500 Chinook RV. The previous poster indicated that EBC and Frozen Rotors did not fix the problem and, as of the writing, that Brembo rotors did resolve the problem. I assume all of those rotors were slotted? Apparently, Brembo does not supply slotted, drilled or dimpled rotors for the 2000 year model. I am concerned that the choice of rotor is critical and you could completely waste a lot of money on the wrong replacement. Since this problem is intermittent and usually triggered by a downhill grade, it seems that some of the folks here may not have had the chance to determine if the fix is for good. In my experience, the shuddering does not always happen. One test may not be sufficient as it may take a while for the replacement rotor to become warped.
 
I am also confused about people who are saying it is the rear brakes that are shuddering. In mine, it does feel like it is the rear that is shuddering but I also can feel the warped rotors pulsing the front brakes at times - particularly braking downhill when the shuddering is not happening. My steering wheel does not shake violently. I can believe that the front rotors are the problem even though it feels like the vibration is coming from the rear or through the drivetrain. Before I experienced the shuddering problem, I had already decided that my rotors should be replaced.
 
I also get some vibration at higher speeds that feels like out of balance wheels. I had my wheels balanced. Can these warped rotors add to the wheel vibration? Was your ride smoother after replacing them?
 
So: Is there a separate rear brake problem? Or is all of this really about front rotors?
 
How sensitive is the choice of replacement rotor? Is a quality brand slotted or slotted and dimpled rotor sufficient?
 
What brand of rotor should I trust? Obviosly not the GM OEM.
 
It would be great if anyone can update us on how their repair has held up.
Thanks

#73 of 76 Re: brake shudder in rear [lyndonk] by acts2_38

Sep 07, 2011 (10:45 am)

Replying to: lyndonk (Sep 07, 2011 9:48 am)
For us, there were times where the shuddering came from the front and the rear, but I agree, it did seem focused on the front. Your front brakes do most of the work so it makes sense most of the vibration would come from there. We replaced the front and rear rotors at the same time (wish I had "kept" the old ones to verify the warping amount). We didn't go with the high end Brembos, instead with the best rotors offered by Pepboys that didn't have the slotting (I'm paranoid about them cracking at the slots - just me). No idea the brand - I think the key is mainly upgrade from OEM. However, as an RV you are running heavy. I'd tell you get as nice as you can. If Brembo offers a non-slotted that might be ok. Their quality of materials is high.
 
I think the issue may be a combination of brakes and suspension design.
 
Regarding your comment about feeling out of balance while driving normally - we ran into this some.
 
We saw two types:
#1: a all-the-time mild shake at highway speeds. This occurred even after we had the wheels computer balanced at two different shops.
#2: About once a month it would actually begin the violent front-end-shaking just with normal driving (without braking) where we would have to slow down to <10mph for it to halt. I think it to have been a combination of harmonics of bumps in the road coupling with a possibly warped rotor lightly touching the pads at just the right time. We verified it wasn't a alignment/caster issue - again checked at two different shops/companies using computer alignment equipment. Only after changing the brake rotors have these issues resolved. We've not had the problem for almost a year, with lots of miles. Not one time. I have no doubt the issue is with the rotors (and some collision with the suspension design).

#74 of 76 Re: Severe Vibration while Braking on Grade [meg19] by meg19

Nov 04, 2011 (12:28 pm)

Replying to: meg19 (Sep 22, 2010 1:46 pm)
UPDATE: My Chevy Express Van now has 130,000 miles on it and it still has it's original brakes to date. I was at Chevy today and during the multi point inspection they specified that my brakes are still at 5mm. Yet I am on my 7 set of rotors.....and Chevy thinks there is nothing wrong with this.....at least corporate does....any mechanic you tell this too will say your brakes must not be operating correctly but when it was evaluated by corperate they told me there was nothing they can do. I can't believe how many similar stories I have heard and yet they haven't done anything....remember the GM at my Chevy has admitted to me that these vehicles are failing in the safety test lanes....so they are aware of it. You can do your part by contacting the US DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTAION HIGHWAY SAFETY ADMINISTATION. THERE NUMBER IS 1-888-37-4236. IF CHEVY RECEIVES 3O OR MORE COMPLAINTS A RECALL INVESTIGATION WILL BE LAUNCHED. We have more than 30 people here who have posted a similar story....we can force them to change this....PLEASE FILE A COMPLAINT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

#75 of 76 Re: Chevy Express 2500 brake shudder [praugh] by praugh

Jul 01, 2012 (2:42 pm)

Replying to: praugh (Jul 26, 2011 1:02 pm)
Just an update to my 04 Express brake issues...I found 1 guide bolt on each of the rear brakes completely corroded and inoperable. So, my front brakes had been doing almost all the braking. After replacing the original rotors, brake pads, and guide bolts my brake issues have gone away completely. I did the repair last summer, and all is still good!

#76 of 76 Re: Chevy Express brake light problem [bob168] by steven83

Sep 21, 2012 (2:05 pm)

Replying to: bob168 (Dec 22, 2006 8:44 am)
I've got the same problem when I rented the Savana 3500, but this time from Toronto to Montreal. So I swore never again rent a Savana even if is very comfortable. Few months ago I decided to rent a cargo Van Ford E350 and it was the best decision I ever made.
670 Km in few hours, no break problems. Specially the rental company gave me a lot of confidence.
http://www.advantagecarrentals.com/car-rental-toronto-airport

Messages Page 8 of 8

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