2006 Cobalt SS SC with 39k miles.

The old lady just got the car 2 weeks ago and I'm just trying to figure out if this is possibly a simple fix so she doesn't have down time while her car is at the dealer.

Here is what happens, whenever we have the car in reverse and apply the brakes the car locks up like we slammed on the brakes. It doesn't matter if we just tap the brakes or push fairly hard they lock up. When this happens the only way to get the car to reverse is to go forward and then start backing up again. If we have the car in reverse and start coasting without hitting the brakes the car backs up fine. We can also backup using the hand brake and the car backs up fine. I did a lot of google searching and searching on here but can't really find anyone that had this exact same problem. At first I thought it was the calipers sticking but why doesn't it happen when moving forward? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

EDIT: She also seems to have the intermediate steering shaft clunk. Basically a loud clunk on the front drivers side every time she hits a semi-large bump. Is this something that is just an annoyance? Her local Chevy dealer didn't think it was a big deal at all when we described the problem over the phone.

Thanks for any and all replies!

 

The brakes I dont know, but the clunk noisethey say can be the endlinks. Just replace on you should be good. Right now I'm getting coilovers, endlinks, new tires (Balance/Alingment), and I hope all the clunk noise is gone

 

Thanks for the reply. We really don't care about the clunk as long as it doesn't turn into something dangerous. I did read about that possibly being the endlinks, I guess I can replace them if she gets sick of the clunk.

 

Pads are probably gone in the rear or the caliper pin where it slides is worn out and the caliper ***** and locks up.

 

Pads are in great shape, not sure about the caliper pin though. Does it makes sense that it only happens in reverse?

 

Yeah I dont think its that bad I guess, Ive had that noise for at least 3 yrs maybe. on the 05 SS.
But it gets annoying after awhile. Passengers are like "what was that did you hit something". So Im like "No its my suspension or something fucked".

 

Did the noise only happen on one side? Her friend did ask her what was that one time when she hit a rough patch of road. I personally would have never known the difference because my Subaru is so noisy/clunky.

 

any idea if its the front or rears that are locking up?

 

I really cant tell waht side it is, probably both sides. Pulling out of a driveway when cold is when I here it most. If I drive it slow at idle speed and yerk the sterring wheel left to right very quickly its like clunk clunk clunk clunk. (Thats the best I can describe it )

 

theres a TSB for that, its the Intermediate shaft in the rack

 

I have that clunk thing too, happens when I turn the wheel fast as well.... I also have a 06 with about 39K Miles.

Where can I find the TSB for it?
EDIT:
Google is my friend
TSB #050232005

 

Yes it makes sense, the caliper might **** only in reverse.

 

BUMP AND YOU ARE THE WINNER!!!

Took the car to Chevy today and we found out that the dealer we bought it from had just put new pads on the car and turned the rotors. It looks like whoever did the job forgot to put a caliper pin in the front left caliper which caused the caliper to destroy the inside of the front rim. This was also the cause of the clunk we were hearing and the reason the car was locking up in reverse when the brakes were applied.

Now we're just trying to see if the dealer we bought it from is going to pick up the tab since they fu#cked the job up. Total of the screw up is $840.42 including labor. Chevy did say we could still drive on the rim safely and the total drops way down to $117.00 because all we need is a new caliper pin + labor and diagnostics.

 

tell them **** no. you want a rim. cause if you came in with the rim fucked up from somthing you did they'd try and tell you its not safe.

 

Oh we're going to tell them they need to give us a new rim. We didn't buy the car from Chevy, they just did the diagnostics for us and said the rim is safe to use but the inside is all shaved down. A well known Subaru dealer here in Colorado Springs sold us the car and also did the brake job so we're hoping they make everything right... But we all know how stealerships are.

 

yeah dont go through the dealer for the rim though, find one yourself. Instead of paying 700-800 through the dealer you can find a second hand one for cheap.

 

I'm thinking the Subaru dealer is going to pay for the rim since they're the reason it got messed up. If they decline to fix it I found some SS SC rims on Ebay for around $250.00 each I think.

 

yes we do. good luck my friend

 

If the Subaru dealer want business they should fix what they screwed up. If not raise alittle stink right at the dealership they hate when you do it front of other customers. But its very motivational.

 

They took care of everything without any hassle. They even went and got the car from Chevy and paid our tab there, couldn't be more happy with their service.

Heuberger Subaru FTW.