I just spoke with CCC and was informed they have tried to call the Service Manager (Bobbie) at Dublin Chevrolet and he has not returned their call. I asked CCC if they could deal with my Service Rep and was told they were only authorized to talk with Bobbie. Around and around we go. As you might expect I am now tired of being Mr. Nice Guy. Let the games begin.

 

Yep, that's the case with the GSs as well. Tried that at Spring Mountain (ABS fuse removed), and I can tell you it takes a VERY heavy foot to lock up those suckers. And that was on wet asphalt, and a VERY sudden and hard brake application (that's when it's easiest to lock them up, before full weight transfer). None of us could lock up the tires on the first try, until instructor challenged us to break the pedal . But yes, you can lock up ALL wheels when stomping on the pedal hard enough.

What likely happened was 'brake assist', which applies full braking force. AH works (if needed) by braking one side of the car a time (and usually just one wheel), to keep car stable. Obviously something went haywire with the ABS module/pump, since this car doesn't have a camera/radar in front. Anyway, I'd definitely not drive the car either. Could have been an electronic glitch, but I wouldn't be happy without a new ABS module/pump. Thankfully, this is the first time I ever hear of such episode... and nothing happened. Please keep us posted, and good luck.

 

After 42 days the car was finally inspected by a GM Tech. At first he tried to infer the problem was with the Stoptech rotors, then he moved on to the Hawk brake pads and then the Stainless steel brake lines. He was quite upset that he was unaware of any "Dealership" installed aftermarket parts. Maybe he should have read the provision of the Magnuson Moss Act which prohibited the conditioning of a warranty on the use of any of the manufacturer’s parts or services.

He then went on to look at the brake fluid and noticed it was very clean. Of course it was because the brakes were just serviced at another local dealership. He then said he would have to verify that this dealership used the correct brake fluid. Talk about a doubting Thomas! God only knows what he would have said if I told him I use Amsoil and not Mobile 1 motor, transmission and differential oils.

He then told the Tech to remove a fuse; drove the car; slammed on the brakes and was able to make the front brakes lock. He advised the Tech the only way this could happen is if the fuse was removed. He specifically stated stated it could not happen under any other circumstance. Now does that sound like he believed I removed the fuse? Well I did not. I didn't even know that fuse existed until I started this post.

Here's the bottom line. The GM field engineer said the car was "Safe" to drive; no repairs were needed and told the Tech (Against the Tech's professional judgement) to return the car to me. If that wasn't bad enough he made the Service Rep pay for the 10 days I had a rental car and made me pay for 2 new tires.

Chuck Gerughty
Director - Motorsports
NCCA

 

Unbelieveable....

 

I have to say that you've been posting here for over a month without mentioning the aftermarket brake parts. That does not enhance your credibility with us or with GM.

The Magnuson Moss act is almost worthless in a case like this. GM merely denies the warranty claim, and it's up to you to beat them in court. If you do go that route, they will put various brake engineers on the stand to testify all the strange things that have happened to cars when changes were made to the system. You could easily spend more money than a whole new car would cost, and gain nothing.

Did your aftermarket parts actually cause the problem? I'm not brake engineer, but I don't see how that would happen. But we've had people here who changed to a different brand of spark plugs and that caused alternator problems.
When I was a young copilot on the airline, an old Captain told me:
"Son, if you adjust your compass and an engine quits, put the compass back where it was and the engine will probably re-start." The relationship between different parts is not always obvious.

Your initial problem is very dangerous, and I certainly wouldn't want to drive the car that way. If it were me, I'd have the dealership put everything back to stock and have the work order show it that way. If something happens later, that gives you cause for action against GM and the dealer. It might also solve your problem.

 

Thank you for your thouhgts. I was advised that changing brake pads, rotors or brake lines was not a determining factor and the GM field engineer agreed.

Let me ask you a follow-up question. I now know that if the fuse was pulled a front brake lock can occur. What would happen if that fuse was defective? Could the same front brake lockup occur and if so what safety measures are in place to prevent a front brake lockup as we all know fuses do fail.

I do respect your insight yet the point remains that the GM field engineer told my Tech the car was safe to drive and to release the car to me.

 

I wish I could offer some definitive answers to the problem, but like everyone else, I'm just speculating.

Even if GM is satisfied that the different parts did not cause the problem, I still think it's a possibility. Unfortunately, since this seems to be a very intermittent (happened only one time, right?) problem, any kind of trial and error troubleshooting could be long, frustrating, end expensive. But my mind keeps going back to that airline story about the compass, and I've seen lots of similar things with other machinery.

If I understand your post #3 correctly, you were not using the brakes at all when the lockup occurred. If that's correct, I don't see how the fuse could have anything to do with this. If the fuse blows, then you simply lose the ABS.

It sounds like the GM guy removed the fuse and then jumped on the brakes while driving. Surprise, the brakes locked up! What else would he expect? I don't see how that has anything to do with the brakes locking themselves when you aren't touching the pedal.