cary

Hello:

I picked up a 2004 Malibu 3/5L LS this past June. It's the new body
style and has 37,000 miles. So far, it's the finest car I've ever
owned...it has performance, rides like a Cadillac, and handles like a
champ, and gets 33 mpg @ 75mph with the air on! I'm generally very
pleased. However, the front disc brakes are toast. Apparently the
former owner put new pads on warped rotors. It just about shakes itself
apart in a brisk braking situation.

From what I've gathered on the Internet, the brakes are the Malibu's
Achilles' heel. I've read about people who've had to replace rotors
every 20,000 miles. Indeed, my mother's new Chevrolet HHR rotors were
warped and had to be replaced after only 12,000 miles.

Rather than going through a continuous cycle of replacing rotors and
pads, I am planning on buying some after market rotors and pads, and
take care of the problem once and for all. So far, I've looked at some
EBC sport rotors, and the "red stuff" pads.


I have a few questions that I was hoping someone could answer:


If you've had success with aftermarket rotors and pads, please relate
your story, and mention the brand and model number.
Also, I'm wondering if rotors from the Malibu MAXX will fit on my car?
From what I can gather, they are a bit over 11" in diameter, while the
LS discs are 10". That would fit in nicely for my future plans for the
car, as I'd like to replace the current 15" rims with 17'", and I
figured the larger diameter discs would help with the additional burden
of the larger wheels.


Any input would be greatly appreciated.


Best Regards,

Cary

sharky

I replaced the pads and rotors on my 1998 Malibu this spring. The parts all
came from NAPA, and they were the highest quality parts they carried.
However, I do not know what brand name they were.

It has been 7 months and there is no shaking in the front end from warped
rotors. Good luck with your car.

Sharky

micheal artindale

I have a 2004 malibu. I have put on about 20000km, and my brakes are still
like new.

They are Raybestos brand put on at a Midas shop.

I Would not mess around with rotors, might have clearance problems.

If you wanna mess with your ride and handleing, then chnge tire size.

Micheal

cary

Thanks for the suggestions of Napa and Midas.


Yeah, Ive heard that. But I'm simply going to bolt some 17" OEM Malibu
wheels on it, the very same that were optioned for the car. They come
up frequently on eBay.

Thanks again

C

micheal artindale

I have the aluminum rims, but they are 16". Make sure that the tires and
rims have the clearance and that the diametre is bigger or smaller than your
current rims, otherwise, you will screw up your speedometer.

It is a good car for me.

Micheal

4newsgroups

I go to my local parts dealer and ask him for the softest brake pads
available for my 2000. Not sure of the brand, nor if they'd be available
where ever you are, but they list 4 or 5 different types. The pads are
cheap, last about 30K and I just hang a new set when I hear the first chirp
from the squealers. The car still has the original rotors, not warped and
still within spec. but they are getting rusted in the fins. The rotors are
dirt cheap for this car too, so I'm going to install new rotors with the
next set of pads. Car has about 160K on it.

If your car is "rides like a Cadillac" why would you want to mess around
changing rims, tires, etc?

cary

available for my 2000.

The thought being the softer pads will reduce wear on the rotors?

Right now, I'm thinking a set of premium Raybestos rotors, available
from NAPA. I've heard more than a few good things about them. Not sure
about pads yet. I hear NAPA's Ceramix pad is pretty good.

around changing rims, tires, etc?

You've got a point there. I'm wrestling with the same question. My
desire to change to a larger wheel stems mostly from aesthetics.
Compared to a Malibu with 17" rims (LTZ or SS), the 15" rims look rather
puny on my car. On the other hand, as you say, handling is great as is.
Then I need to consider the price of the new rims, the higher price of
tires, reduced acceleration - there are certainly more cons than pros.
In the end, I'll probably stick with stock rims.

Cheers,

Cary

david

We have an '06 Malibu, and the brakes have just started squealing at 50,000
Km; original rotors and pads.

These cars have a unique "composite" rotor. My mechanic friend says these
rotors are composed of two metals; one for the part of the rotor where the
pads fit, and a softer metal for the remainder of the rotor.
He said that it is EXTREMELY important to attach the wheels carefully, by
tightening the lug nuts in sequence with a torque wrench, much in the same
manner of assembling an engine head to an engine. If the procedure is not
followed carefully, the rotors will warp as a result of incorrect
installation.

Hope this helps you save some $$$,
David
PS: We have been driving Malibu, Lumina, and Celebrity cars for years, and
have had excellent brake service; 100,000 km to 200,000 km between service
work.
DP