"Bumpy" experience with purchase of new Vibe + brake issue?

[NJVibe04Salsa]

Last week, when picking up our brand new '04 AWD Vibe, we discovered that the front passenger side door would not openfrom the inside. The dealer sent it to the service department, who told us thatit was a problem with the latch and they would need to replace it.4 days later the car was fixed (waiting on a part). I don't understand how something like this could make it through inspection,but I guess 1 problem is allowable. Upon arrival at the dealership the second time, we noticed a 6" scratch in the paint running across the gas lid and body of the vehicle. The sales person said that when we returned topick up our plates & registration, they would buff it out.I have noticed in the past few days of driving (car still has less than100 miles on it) that whenever I decelerate, the steeringwheel vibrates considerably. 2 days ago I went back to the dealer, to fix the scratch.I also asked the service person about the steering wheel vibration.He told me that sometimes rust develops on the discs of the brakesand that is probably what's causing the vibration and it would goaway in a few hundred miles. Does this sound consistent with your experiences or should I bring it back in to service and demand that it be fixed/inspected?

[AKLGT]

um, no. that doesn't sound right at all. i would take it back to the dealer and have them fix it. brakes are not something to be messed with. yes, there is a break in time, but that's nothing i've ever heard about.... where did you buy your vibe from? they sound lazy and unprofessional.

[ragingfish]

I am curious to know, what dealer did you buy from?

[NJVibe04Salsa]

Greenbrook.

[ragingfish]

Hmm...not familiar with it...I frequent the following dealers. I know they're not near Edison, but if you're every in the area or something:Rassas Pontiac Inc 395 Broad StRed Bank, NJ 07701 (732) 741-5180(highly recommended, been using them since i started driving in 98...)(about 40 minutes from Edison, about the same from me, i like them that much that I drive 40 minutes for my service visits)Perrine Pontiac2730 Route 130Cranbury, NJ 08512 (609) 395-5599 (about 30 minutes from Edison)

[NJVibe04Salsa]

I brought the car in to service for the vibration today. The rotors were warped. They resurfaced them and thevehicle brakes smoothly now. I'm guessing that this wasa manufacturing defect for 2 reasons:1) It was present when I took delivery of the vehicle at 10 mileson the odometer.2) When test driving the Vibe (a separate vehicle, not the onethat I purchased) it also exhibited the same vibration duringdeceleration. I would guess that the dealership received a bad batch ofcars .. could there have possibly been a miscalibration ofthe torque wrench used in assembly?1 more question.. How many times can a brake rotor beresurfaced? Should I have demanded new rotors? Thedealer told me they can not do that until it has reacheda minimum thickness, however this is a brand new vehiclethat I purchased, and now I have to accept shaved rotors??

[Vibe Rater]

I would never allow a dealer to resurface brand new rotors. They should have been removed an replaced. You will never be able to turn those rotors again. You bought a brand new car with defective rotors. They should have been replaced, not repaired. It was nice of the dealer to turn the rotors, to help them diagnose what the problem was. Now that they know what the problem is, they should order a new set of rotors for you. I would not accept used (turned) rotors on a new car. How much did they take off to eliminate the warp? Usually they need to take a bunch off to get rid of a warp on a rotor. What is the minimum thickness allowed on the rotors and how close are you to it? I would demand a complete refund on the entire car before I would accept shaved rotors. It really is a shame that a new car buying experience, which should be a very enjoyable experience every step of the way, is ruined by a bunch of goddam hilbillies running a dealership.

[joatmon]

Now that they have had to turn the rotors on your brand new car, they have reduced the serviceable life of those parts. They should either give you brand new replacements or give you a very good extended warranty on those parts that goes well beyind the standard factory warranty. THey should also apologize for blowing you off with the rust excuse, and for all the trouble you've been having with your brand new car.

[OutLaW]

Getting your rotors turned don't take that much off the life of the rotor. Reason I say this is cuz it is only a hundreths of an inch. All they do is basicly scratch the very top layer. If it is warped they will repeat this process till it is perfectly round. 9 times out of 10, out of the box, your rotors aren't that round. So they prolly did you a favor. I'm not saying this to stick up for the dealer either. I would be pissed if this happened to me. Just seems like alot to go wrong with a "NEW" car. But take a deep breath and thank God that's all it is. Only thing I see wrong in this situation is the fact that they would say it would go away. Chances are, they get worse before they get better. That's like saying a tire with a flat spot will round out after 100 miles. IT DON'T HAPPEN. Just thought I'd shed some light on the subject. Good luck in the future with your new ride.

[joatmon]

I guess it depends on how much metal they had to take off. I haven't looked at the construction of the Vibe's front brakes, and I have no idea what the nitial and minimum rotor thicknesses are supposed to be. On my last car, the front brake rotors were separate from any bearing/hub, once you took off the calipers the rotor just slipped off the lug bolts. (easy to replace) A replacement rotor for that vehicle was $25, no biggie, so I replaced the rotors with every other set of brake pads instead of having the rotors turned.

[stkos79]

gm does no ok rotor replacement for just .003 of runoutyou have to machine them for customer sat.a lot of cars that are "old stock"have rusty rotors and mostly clear up in 500 miles2nd. tires get flat spoting that should true upi know its a new car but your not the only one out therebut u gotta think when the car came off the truck it was inspected (pdi) but that could be 3 months ago

[OutLaW]

I wish you were one of the people that walkin in the door when I worked at DunnTire, Wards and Firestone. Throw weights on it and let ya go.-lol Tires don't get rounder. They get worse. It's like having a bad shock. It just bounces more and ruins the tire. I do agree that with rusty rotors it will clear up. These people he took it to most likely didn't even check. They just threw that out there for him. It's not fair to the customer to ride that out. Your paying out $20,000+ for cars these days they should be the best as that dealer can make it.

[remusrm]

the stock rotors get bad easy... they are really thin. mine were surfaced 1 time and that was it. i put brembo rotors and they are way thicker. around 2-4mm

[BlueCrush]

Holy thread resurrection, Batman! That's 2 years old!

[Emerica13]

Quote, originally posted by NJVibe04Salsa »I have noticed in the past few days of driving (car still has less than100 miles on it) that whenever I decelerate, the steeringwheel vibrates considerably. 2 days ago I went back to the dealer, to fix the scratch.I also asked the service person about the steering wheel vibration.He told me that sometimes rust develops on the discs of the brakesand that is probably what's causing the vibration and it would goaway in a few hundred miles. Does this sound consistent with your experiences or should I bring it back in to service and demand that it be fixed/inspected?NO! That EXACT thing was happening to me with the vibration of the steering wheel when i would downshift or brake. This was after i hit a pothole drifting in a snow-covered parking lot at 40 mph. Needless to say, my dad was PISSSSED but apparently it threw off the balance on 3 of my wheels and they had to be taken off, rebalanced and remounted i guess. That, or you may have uneven treadwear on your tires because my mom experienced that same thing with her car, but she just needed new tires.edit: i didnt realize this was 2 years old...probably fixed it by now

[northvibe]

i see TONS of cars on the lot with rusty rotors, even on the shipping semi's. Mine get rusty sitting in the driveway after 2 days when it rains. but yea...... warped rotors suck, if it was out of warranty and you had to pay then resurface would be ok id think but if its warranty, it might depend on how they say if its wear and tear. since the car was new they should of been replaced.

[jasonvibe]

according to the manual I read ..max. runout is .002" Which makes sense. My last car the rotors were out .004" and I could feel it when braking at highway speeds. If you feel it below 30 mph. THEY are way out. Probably .010" or more. The true spec refers to flatness not roundness. If the dealer won't satisfy, call the customer line and be a pain.