RiceCop

iTrader: (10)

Just like it says, dude cut me off and slammed on his brakes so I had to slam on mine. Ever since then the brake pedal is very stiff and so is my e-brake. It used to be like 4-5 clicks before it got really hard to lift up and now its like 2-3 and then instant resistance. Car still seems to brake fine, it just feels different. No noise or anything. I have not had the chance to crawl under it and see if anything is locked up but I don't hear anything weird.

Any one else experience this?

I'm guessing since it is affecting the e-brake also, it has to be something on the rear brakes

alleycat58

Yeah sounds like something seized in the rear. On level ground, put the car in 1st and see if you can get it rolling without the clutch. Should be pretty easy to do, if it resists then you've definitely got a brake seized.

Chevrolet Cust Svc

Does your vehicle have Electronic Stability Control? On p. 5-4 in the manual I’m seeing that when a Cobalt has ESC and the 2.0L Turbocharged engine, it will also have a hydraulic brake boost feature. Since you're describing a change in how the brake pedal feels, something to consider is that the system might not be receiving this brake boost and may need to be serviced.

Hope this is helpful, even in a "process of elimination" way,
Sarah
GM Customer Service

07SSYellow

iTrader: (7)

^^^ WHOOOOOOO Sarah to the rescue!

nhanson

iTrader: (1)

Rear brakes might need lube.

I would do what alleycat said

Turbo_Lemon

I have this exact same issue just developed out of nowhere, rear inside pads are gone and the caliper is sticking due to that, the outside looks like new still the factory rear brakes on these cars are a joke why they spent so much time making a car with such high power and great handling then just threw junk brakes and a plastic shifter on them I will never understand...

Chevycobaltss3

iTrader: (2)

It's the tune....... Jk but for real its sounding like locked up tears

nhanson

iTrader: (1)

Pins just need lube. Take it to the dealer and maybe complain for some free brakes

sponge14

Don't the brakes adjust themselves in the rear? I know when I put my new pads and rotors on, my Ebrake was a few clicks and the pedal was touchy and firm. That's the way it should be in my opinion. I think maybe the hard braking may have adjusted the brakes. Put the car on a jack and make sure all the wheels move freely with brakes off. While it's up there, lube the pins and give a good inspection, make sure a pad isn't worn down or anything like that.

RiceCop

iTrader: (10)

Yeah I'm going to do that today, I'll let you guys know what I find out.

Slobalt09

iTrader: (1)

Everything is ok, the rear brakes just got adjusted

alleycat58

Better safe than sorry, check to be sure. It COULD be adjustment or it could be an issue. It all depends on your definition of "very stiff." They should feel firmer when they adjust for sure, but if it takes significant effort to push the pedal in (which is what I picture when I hear "very stiff"), then there might be an issue. Checking costs $0. Not checking and overlooking a problem can get costly.

RiceCop

iTrader: (10)

I jacked it up and checked everything out, plenty of pad life left on both and the wheels rotate fine when it's off the ground. Car is really easy to push when in neutral. I'm going to say it self adjusted.

xray_racer

Yeah, just the brake calipers adjusting. Really you should do a quick stop (full braking) from approx. 50 to 0 mph every couple of thousand miles so the calipers can adjust. The brake should feel stiff. You don't want too much pedal travel in the brake or any squishyness.

nhanson

iTrader: (1)

So what happens when they adjust? Something with the fluid, caliper, or master cylinder?