Topic: Old Alero Brakes

[cartmusic]

Good friend purchased a new 2003 Olds Alero, I know wrong move but it's done.  With just over 50km on it, he is on his third set of pads and rotors.  Dealer claims and 18-20km is normal for replacement.   Is this a problem with these vehicles, any aftermarket equipment that stands up better than GM stuff, what venue should be taken  to complain loudly?  Thanks folks!

[The Fuzz]

Yes, it's a problem with these cars. We've had two Aleros and they both had this issue. We just get it fixed at the dealer and the last time they did it under warranty.

Other than that, it's a good car for what it is. I'd have no problem with the wife buying another one.

[articsteve]

Its more of a design/engineering fault than poor quality GM rotors and pads.  Have your friend go to Midas and get their lifetime brake deal.  He will still pay labour with each free replacement but it will beat the dealer big time.

[Shnak]

Its more of a design/engineering fault than poor quality GM rotors and pads.  Have your friend go to Midas and get their lifetime brake deal.  He will still pay labour with each free replacement but it will beat the dealer big time.

Out of curiosity, what was the design/engineering fault of the brakes on the Alero? Too small for the weight of the car or what?

[Wetson]

Out of curiosity, what was the design/engineering fault of the brakes on the Alero? Too small for the weight of the car or what?

Good question.

[articsteve]

Its more of a design/engineering fault than poor quality GM rotors and pads.  Have your friend go to Midas and get their lifetime brake deal.  He will still pay labour with each free replacement but it will beat the dealer big time.

Out of curiosity, what was the design/engineering fault of the brakes on the Alero? Too small for the weight of the car or what?

You could say that.  For example the front disc and the pads for the 4 banger fit the 6 banger.   Using the same disc is one thing, but using the same pad for two different engine weights is cheap, cheap, cheap. 

Obviously every thing is undersized and probably the porportioning valve favours the front too much because it is off a Grand Am that uses rear drums.  Essentially they are engineering disasters because nothing was done about it.  But thats how GM operates.  Some of these Aleros were 30K.

Also the Alero front brakes fit Grand Ams and vice versa even though 2003 Grand Am use rear drums . Its  classic GM parts bin building.

Olds engineer says "OK, what do we do for brakes on this Alero".  Second  engineer says "accounting tells us to grab some off a Grand Am and throw them on"  Firstl engineer says " thats insane".  Second engineer says "welcome to GM".

[barrie1]

Both of these cars are similar weight and similar design so I can understand why the same parts can be shared between the 2 modles.  They have to pass a certain standard on performance and I guess they do. As the pressures are probably the same the proportioning valves need not be changed but can be shared. I see nothing wrong with that as it obviously pass's  Canada Transport Safety Ratings. I think the problem GM has had has been in the quality of the rotors they have been supplied with. I would go aftermarket and expect to see much longer life and milage out of them. 

[articsteve]

Both of these cars are similar weight and similar design so I can understand why the same parts can be shared between the 2 modles.  They have to pass a certain standard on performance and I guess they do. As the pressures are probably the same the proportioning valves need not be changed but can be shared. I see nothing wrong with that as it obviously pass's  Canada Transport Safety Ratings. I think the problem GM has had has been in the quality of the rotors they have been supplied with. I would go aftermarket and expect to see much longer life and milage out of them. 

They have to pass a certain standard on performance and I guess they do.

When the are new, not used.  We are talking about used Alero front brakes.

As the pressures are probably the same the proportioning valves need not be changed but can be shared.

The topic is for a 2003 Alero which has 4 wheel discs.  The Grand Am has rear drums.  Consequently, the pressures cannot be the same.  To compound the issue the same disc and pad are used with Alero V6 or 4 and with Grand Am that uses rear drums.  Complete engineering BS.

I see nothing wrong with that as it obviously pass's  Canada Transport Safety Ratings.

Transport Canada tests nothing.  It has no testing facilities.  They contract their sister agency in the US.  If you phone Transport Canada's saftey complaint number on a Canadian government 800 number your call is answered by a dude or dudess in the USA.

Simply put Alero is a piece of engineering junk.  Google it

[barrie1]

They may pick up the phone in the US when someone calls but GM has nothing to do with that at all. The proportioning valve can be the same as the car with disc or drum as all it does is keep the pressure equal to all 4 corners. I don't think it matters on which design as long as the system is balanced. Not everybody thinks these cars are junk as we have owners on here who would buy another one. 

[articsteve]

If I have saved one unsuspecting young lady (females like the appearance of this car and seem to drive a disporportionate share of them) from buying a used Alero then posting the goods on this car is the right thing to do.


Drum brakes and disc brakes have very different braking efficencies so the porportioning pressure cannot be the same in a car with rear drums and a car with discs and expect to have the car brake in an identical spec.

Original poster says: "With just over 50km on it, he is on his third set of pads and rotors.  Dealer claims and 18-20km is normal for replacement."

That's insane.  That is 12K miles.  This is a 2003 model.  This very problem has plagued all owners since it came out in the late 90s.  The only up side is that this tub of junk is history.

It also had the leaking manifold which ruined lots of motors after warranty.

[exserviceguy]

Transport Canada tests nothing.  It has no testing facilities.  They contract their sister agency in the US.  If you phone Transport Canada's saftey complaint number on a Canadian government 800 number your call is answered by a dude or dudess in the USA.
Sorry ArticSteve, Got to step in when a large error is posted.  Being from the Ottawa area and having communicated and worked with Transport Canada staff on many occasions I can tell you they do indeed have testing facilities here, (maybe not as big and nice and expensive as the US, but think of the budget differences).  And their 1-800 number rings either in an Ottawa or Gatineau office. 

[articsteve]

Transport Canada tests nothing.  It has no testing facilities.  They contract their sister agency in the US.  If you phone Transport Canada's saftey complaint number on a Canadian government 800 number your call is answered by a dude or dudess in the USA.
Sorry ArticSteve, Got to step in when a large error is posted.  Being from the Ottawa area and having communicated and worked with Transport Canada staff on many occasions I can tell you they do indeed have testing facilities here, (maybe not as big and nice and expensive as the US, but think of the budget differences).  And their 1-800 number rings either in an Ottawa or Gatineau office. 

Step in it all you want.  Transport Canada does not conduct engineering tests on cars period.  If there is a recall they receive instructions from the the States on what problem, what vehicle and so on.  If you phone the English number to file a  safety complaint you get an agent in Virginia and they will record your information on behalf of Transport Canada.  Try it.

Here is Transport Canadas main site; "About US"

http://www.tc.gc.ca/aboutus/menu.htm

Together, Transport Canada's groups and regions work to:

Set policies, regulations and standards to protect the safety, security and efficiency of Canada's rail, marine, road and air transportation systems, including the transportation of dangerous goods and sustainable development.
Work in partnership with other federal, provincial, territorial and municipal departments and organizations, the Transportation Safety Board, the Canadian Transportation Agency, NAV CANADA, other private organizations, stakeholders, and members of the transportation industry.
Promote and enforce departmental policies, regulations and standards through inspection, education and consultation.
Monitor and assess the performance of the transportation system.
Administer the transfer of ports, harbours and airports to communities and other interests and operate the facilities not yet divested.

I have a lawsuit pending with DC and I have been through the whole Transport Canada thing regarding cars.  The only thing that differs in Canada than the US is that in Canada a Transport Canada safety recall has no expiry date.

[barrie1]

That alone is a much better system in protecting people lives. They can't ever cancel a recall. 

[safristi]

switch the "Old Alero Brakes" fer OLDS Alero Brakes.....d'oh !!!!