My 09 SS/TC with Brembos has 17,700 miles on it and the brake pedal started to feel soft about two weeks ago. It stops the car, but takes a bit more effort than I'm comfortable with. I almost rear ended someone today because I didn't push them hard enough.

Took it to the dealer on Thursday and they said the back brakes need new pads and the rotors need to be machined and the front brakes need to be machined as well but those pads still have about 5mm left. They showed me the front rotors which felt like they had a little bit on wear on them, but barely enough that I could feel it when I ran my fingernail across them. They didn't show me the backs.

So being untrusting of the dealership as I am, I'm wondering a couple of things....1) why would the back brakes go out before the front? 2) Am I getting screwed because I'm a girl and really don't know much about brakes? 3) If anyone else thinks brakes at 17K miles seems unreasonable.

Dealer told me GM won't warranty the rotors because it's an SS....but I'm assuming they don't because it's a wear/tear part.

Help me out guys! I also took it to Just Brakes to have them look at them, but they hadn't even heard of Brembos, so I left! So if anyone knows of a place in Phoenix, AZ I could go that I could trust...I'd appreciate that too.

Sorry for the long post!

 

The brakes shouldn't go so bad after 17k miles, but:
1. The Cobalt SS T/C has a known problem regarding the rear rotors, they wear off quickly (but not the front ones, only the rear ones). There is a "sticky" thread regarding a file complaint about the rear rotors, take a look at it. It happened the same thing to both my 2009 cobalt SS.
2. I have to say that in this country, expecially at the dealerships, if you are a girl they definately try to screw you, if you can ask your boyfriend to take the car to Chevy it would be better.
3. Regardless if it is an SS or not, if you have warranty, they should cover them. I'm assuming you have warranty at least till 36k miles, so regardless of the car being an SS, it should be covered. When I had the same problem, they replaced them for free to my car. But again, tell your boyfriend to take the car, maybe to a different dealership, you will see they will replace them.
If at the end you have to replace them on your own, definately go with aftermarket rotors and pads, you will not have that problem anymore, expecially if you have them lubed often

 

Mine was recently done under warranty at 19k miles.

 

I just had to have my front rotors machined at 8500 miles. They warped from one VERY hard stop on the highway (Not my fault). I'm thinking about getting aftermarket rotors because I just don't trust these anymore. They covered it under warranty, but I don't know how much material they removed.

 

If i can give you an advice, get the R1 concept rotors with hawk pads.

 

I've got that combo, and honestly, I wouldn't do it again. Sure, get the R1 rotors, the stock rear ones aren't that good, but stick with stock pads. They stop better than any other pad for this car. Get smooth rotors to in case you ever decide to do any real racing.

 

yea the stock rotors and pads on these cars are great but the stock rear pads suck from what ive heard lol

 

I've heard good things about those rotors. I may give them a try.

I've had aftermarket brakes on my last 2 cars and both were not as good as stock. My Neon ACR had generic cross drilled and slotted rotors, so obviously those were crap. My SS/SC had RotoTech pads and slotted rotors I think, and those were dangerously bad. Any moderate highway breaking would create terrible brake fade and the warped fairly quickly.

Who else makes rotors for the TC?

 

gm john powell r1 and powerslot so far i believe