Hey my girlfriend has a 02 sunfire and it has 106,000 miles and running strong. This car goes through front breaks alot, I can recall putting on several different sets of pads and rotors, and also she does not drive hard. I replaced the front brakes about 8,000 miles ago with new pads and rotors. I did not buy the cheap ones but bought a good set thinking they would last, but NO , I think they are going again, the steering wheel shakes real bad when you break. Does anyone think it could be the CALIPERS that are bad. Any suggestion would be helpful. I did not take the tire off yet too look at he pad/rotors just wanted to post here to see if these cars were known for having sucky brakes.
Are both pads (inner/outer) wearing out or is it just the pad that sits against the caliper piston?? And are both sides (driver/passenger) wearing out??
8,000 miles does not wear brake pads out unless your delivering mail or newspapers, so something isn't right.
200 wheelhorse or bust
8,000 miles WOW, I my guess would be youre rear drum brakes are not adjusted properly, The rear extractor pin must be ceased or Needs to be lubed, I had a problem with an older cavalier that did the same thing youre having with. Its a common thing to have happen. If youre calipers are wornout, Youre brake pedal will be really hard to press, Youre stopping will be really poor. I pretty sure youre rear drum brakes are lubed it should correct youre problem.
Good Luck
If the steering wheel is shaking when you apply the brakes, it sounds like the rotors may have become warped. Pull the wheels and see what is going on.
8,000 miles is quite premature, but these cars do usually need fronts once a year based on my experience. The front calipers can't handle the heat and warp.
Ryan1
Dont use the brakes as much ..slow down earlyer and downshift ..use the engine to slow you down more...that always helps on not wearing out the brakes as much.
