I brought my 2004 Chevrolet Malibu LS into my local Chevrolet dealer
for it's 45,000 km (27,000 miles) service. While they were giving it
an oil change and auto transmission service they told me that the
calipers look like they need to be serviced. So I said ok.

But later on when I was going home I looked at my service records and
realized I just had the calipers serviced (both front & rear) at the
40,500 km mark (25,150 miles) (about 3 months ago) at a different
Chevrolet dealer across town.

I'm a bit ignorant about 'caliper service'. How do they actually tell
it needs to be done? Is there any warrenty on this type of service?
Why would they need to be serviced again after only 4500 kms? (2800
miles)

p.s. I love my 2004 Malibu LS

1) NEVER let the dealer "suggest" anything. Service is the only place these
joints make money. They are, at number 2, one step below lawyers on the list
of People Whom You Won't Find Skid Marks In Front Of Whilst Turned Into
Street Pizza.

2) Go to a specialized brake shop instead. I installed cross-drilled and
vented rotors on mine with monroe performance pads and that was over 50k
ago. Still strong stoppers. Better yet, find and stick with a trusty
independent mechanic. The savings in aggravation alone will be worth having
someone you can trust instead of jumping around from garage to garage
looking for a deal.

3) Go back to that dealership and ask for consideration. If he/she refuses:
"May the fleas of Sir Alfred infest your underwear" and spread the word to
your friends that drive GM's to spare them the pain. Mebbe you'll get a beer
in return for the head's up.

Cheers,
Endo

<rick (AT) dilorenzo (DOT) com> wrote

I fear that the only thing that got "serviced" is your wallet. :-(

Once in a while, it is a good idea re-lube the guide pins that the caliper
slides on - I had one get hung up once and the pad got eaten up in no time.
So perhaps - perhaps - the first time it was done was justified...maybe. But
the second was flat out criminal.

doug