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1996 Grand Am GT Rear Brakes Grabby?!
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slow_sprinter
User
Mar 11, 2009, 12:34 PM
Post #1 of 4
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1996 Grand Am GT Rear Brakes Grabby?!
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1996 Grand AM GT
Over on miles
Not sure if brakes are still factory.
Pulled off rear drums for inspection. Found No leaking wheel cylinders.
Did a quick google search and found some people reporting the same type of problems. Saw everything from replace the controller, to replace with only GM brakes shoes. Grabs really bad when car is first going in the morning, then the problem goes away a little. When braking at speed after car is warmed up it does seem to pull rear of car down a bit more. Like the brake bias is messed up.
Where do I start? How do I check?
Thanks for any help!!!
(This post was edited by slow_sprinter on Mar 11, 2009, 12:35 PM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 11, 2009, 1:54 PM
Post #2 of 4
(3114 views)
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Re: 1996 Grand Am GT Rear Brakes Grabby?!
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You pulled the drums off - what did the shoes look like and the dust situation in there? Is is nice even wear? Does parking brake operate properly and do both shoes return properly back to top anchor pin?
Clean them with "BrakeKleen" but don't get that on rubber parts. Inspect by pushing that both ends of wheel cylinders are free to move - one piston can freeze and they can fail without leaking.
New return springs wouldn't hurt and are cheap enough.
Some - even OE shoes will drag a bit when first used after it's been wet or the times when windows would fog too. That usually quite with the first brake action.
There is a "proportioning" system for all cars but it's rarely the problem in my own experience,
T
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slow_sprinter
User
Mar 12, 2009, 10:12 AM
Post #3 of 4
(3108 views)
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Re: 1996 Grand Am GT Rear Brakes Grabby?!
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Ok, revisited the brakes and it appears that on the driver's side (where a majority of the noise is coming from) the front shoe is a little bit more worn than the rear shoe. Pushing on the shoes, it looked as if the front shoe piston was moving very freely at all in the wheel cylinder. Hence the thinner more worn condition of the shoe? Or do front shoes tend to wear faster than rears? I think the cylinder is the culprit here, but I was wanting to double check with you guys (Tom) one more time! thanks!!!
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 12, 2009, 11:15 AM
Post #4 of 4
(3102 views)
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Re: 1996 Grand Am GT Rear Brakes Grabby?!
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With unequal wear there's something to find. If not the parking brake hanging up or a weak return spring that kinda leaves the wheel cylinder highly suspect.
The front piston of the wheel cyl is doing about all the work for stopping when going forward and vs versa. Note the front shoe should be less friction material as the two together are really jamming up at the top anchor pin so back shoe take the brunt of the work - going forward!
Drum brakes are not equal with braking force going in reverse.
You should be able to just remove the return springs and push on the wheel cylinder and watch it slide backwards and forwards with relative ease. DON'T PUSH IT RIGHT OUT OF IT BORE THOUGH!
It's still a guess but I think you need new wheel cylinders. They aren't huge buck but I think this car uses a clip thing to hold them in that can be a pill to get out and then there's always some risk with the brake line not cooperating but otherwise pretty straight forward if you DIY,
T
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