Brakes on a Cavalier - I need some advice

"BaconSandwich is tasty." (baconsandwich)
05/08/2015 at 22:28 • Filed to: None

When pulling the winter tires off my wife’s Cavalier, I noticed that her front pads are very worn. Also, her parking brake hasn’t been working as well as it should. It seems to me that she could use new rotors/pads and I’m guessing drums/shoes as well.

The last time I required parts (spark plugs for my Civic), I went to a local Auto Value store and didn’t think too much of it. Unfortunately, I later checked Rock Auto, and found that I could have had the spark plugs for half the price (including shipping). This makes me think that Rock Auto is also going to be less expensive for all the needed materials to do the brakes on my wife’s car. The problem is this: I’m worried about ordering the wrong parts. I know the make/model/year/engine size of the Cavalier, but for some reason am thinking that I’ll somehow end up getting parts that won’t fit. Has this happened to any of you? Is this an irrational fear?

I’m thinking what I’ll do is go price things out at Auto Value and see how it compares. I did a quick check for parts on Rock Auto, and it looks like it’ll be around $180 for rotors, pads, drums, and shoes and shipping. Does this seem reasonable? If it ends up being only a little bit more to order the parts at the local parts store, I’ll be quite tempted to do that - supporting the local economy and all that. That, and they seem like decent folks there. I just don’t want to end up paying twice as much again.

Another reason for doing the brakes on the Cavalier is that I’m wanting to get a different vehicle for my wife. Since it only has two doors, it’s somewhat difficult to get the baby car seat in/out of the back behind the passenger seat. As our little one gets bigger, it’ll be even more difficult to get the car seat in/out. I’m potentially looking at picking up a used Chevy Volt, and when it comes time to sell the Cavalier, I want to make sure it is in a decent state. I’d feel bad selling someone something that is going to almost immediately need repairs.

Also, last time I did brakes (on the Civic), it became a bit of a nightmare to do the shoes on the rear. This time I’ll for sure be picking up one of those shoe spring tools. They look sort of like this:

I suspect it’ll make the job go that much easier. Trying to pull the springs on with a pair of needle nose pliers wasn’t fun.

So - anyone have any advice on my situation?

DISCUSSION (25)

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > BaconSandwich is tasty.
05/08/2015 at 22:33

if you input all your vehicle info in correctly and you still get the wrong parts and they dont fit then its on rock auto and they should be able to exchange them for the proper pieces, that said you could always price out the parts on autozone or wherevers website too to see what the difference would be

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > BaconSandwich is tasty.
05/08/2015 at 22:43

Rockauto’s pretty great. I wouldn’t be too worried about it. I doubt that there was more than one drum brake used for any given year cavalier. Drums suck, though. I almost wonder if it would be worthwhile to upgrade to discs at the back with RockAuto prices. In dozens of RockAuto transactions, the only part that I got that may be wrong (not sure yet as I just got the part and haven’t installed it yet) is a throttlebody gasket for the 4AGE that has 4AGZE printed on it. I’m like 90% sure that the TBs are identical, but haven’t gotten that far yet, and there were like five billion versions of the 4A motor. Cavaliers are way more “parts bin” if you know what I mean, especially with things like the brakes.

Racescort666 > BaconSandwich is tasty.
05/08/2015 at 22:46

$180 seems totally reasonable for brake parts. Especially considering that they are a major safety part.

As stated in another comment if you input the information correctly, it’s on Rock Auto if the parts are wrong. NOTE: I have had the wrong parts come in but it was for a special edition car. (VW Passat, 4Motion, 3.6L, non-Wolfsburg, which is apparently super rare) I ended up calling a different website (Import Replacement Parts, highly recommended) and got the correct parts even though it wasn’t something that they carried. The original website gave me a full refund plus paid for return shipping.

As long as you don't have a limited edition low production version, the parts will be easy to find. Knowing GM, they parts-bin-engineer so much that it should be a non-issue. They would almost never use different brake parts between trim levels unless it's going from drum to disc brakes and those parts are more than likely used on a completely different model.

Needmoargarage > BaconSandwich is tasty.
05/08/2015 at 22:47

I’ve ordered plenty of parts from RockAuto and done business with Auto Value stores as well. I’ve had RockAuto send the wrong part; however, to their credit the only parts that were ever incorrect were for obscure and rather specific applications. I imagine that with something as generic as a Cavalier you shouldn’t have an issue.

RockAuto will likely be cheaper than anything you can get locally so long as you choose parts that ship from the same warehouse to save on shipping. Keep in mind that there is a large range in the quality of parts available from RockAuto...you might see a windshield wiper for $2 and another for $19 for the same application.

Generally, what I do is order everything I’m sure I’ll need from RockAuto. I choose brands I know and that are the same or similar quality to what is sold locally. If the wrong part happens to be sent, I made a mistake in ordering, or I need something else along the way I will head over to the nearest local parts store.

RockAuto returns are simple and generally their customer service is pretty good. However, I often just go to Auto Value anyway as they sell paint and other things I use frequently and I like to support their business.

deekster_caddy > BaconSandwich is tasty.
05/08/2015 at 22:56

I haven’t been wronged yet by rockauto’s cataglog. Go for it. Rear facing carseats are not going to fit well in the Volt.

deekster_caddy > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
05/08/2015 at 22:58

Drums on a cavalier are about as simple as they get.

VincentMalamute-Kim > BaconSandwich is tasty.
05/08/2015 at 23:24

Like everyone else, I haven’t had many issues with Rock Auto and wrong parts. The AC refrigerant hardline on a friend’s Grand Cherokee was just off enough that it was impossible to install. OEM part had to be used. Rockauto refunded everything.

One thing I’ve learned is not go for the cheapest part they offer; Rock Auto or you’re local place. Go for at least the “Better” if not the “Best”. Assuming you’re keeping your car for a while. You’re already saving money with aftermarket. This is trying to minimize the loss in quality over OEM.

Also diagonal cutters are good for working on the springs. They grip. You obviously just don’t put enough pressure to actually cut the springs.

It's a "Porch-uh" > BaconSandwich is tasty.
05/08/2015 at 23:27

I had to do the drums on my old truck a couple times. Each time it was horrible. Those springs are a pain. The auto-adjusters are a pain. The whole thing just makes me want to punch a baby.

Then I sold it and refuse to buy a vehicle with drums ever again. Discs FTW.

For sure get the spring tool. It’s way harder without it (but not easy with it).

BaconSandwich is tasty. > It's a "Porch-uh"
05/08/2015 at 23:33

I told myself that exact same thing after doing the drums/shoes on my Civic! Mind you, I technically didn’t buy the Cavalier - my wife did (before we met).

BaconSandwich is tasty. > VincentMalamute-Kim
05/08/2015 at 23:34

Well, given that we probably won’t be keeping the vehicle too long, I’m not too inclined to put a set of Brembos on it. :P

That being said, I do appreciate the advice.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > deekster_caddy
05/08/2015 at 23:35

I am slightly worried about that as well. I know some folks that have a Cruze, and they say there isn’t a ton of room in the back. If it comes down to it, I’ll end up driving the Volt and my wife will take my Civic.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Needmoargarage
05/08/2015 at 23:36

I’d say that sounds like a pretty solid strategy.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Racescort666
05/08/2015 at 23:38

It’s definitely not a limited edition Cavalier (if such a thing even exists - unless you count a rust-free Cavalier as limited edition!).

It wouldn’t surprise me if it had the same brakes as 15 other GM models from that same era. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

BaconSandwich is tasty. > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
05/08/2015 at 23:39

It does almost make me wonder - how difficult would it be to swap out the drums for discs? I do hate drum brakes with a burning passion.

Now I’m curious - what vehicle does the 4AGE belong in? First-gen MR2?

Racescort666 > BaconSandwich is tasty.
05/08/2015 at 23:41

Totally agree, buy online. If you are near Chicago, I will come and help you myself if the parts are wrong.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > BaconSandwich is tasty.
05/08/2015 at 23:46

This particular one? Yep, AW11. There were a bunch of versions of the 4AGE.... Three rib 16v, 7 rib 16v, small port, large port, supercharged versions, two different 20V versions, and I think there was a SC 7 rib small port at one point, but I could be wrong. As far as the switch to discs, not hard. You’ll have to bleed the whole system afterwards since you’ll be putting new calipers in at the back, but that’s not too bad. The brake lines could be different, but if you’re bleeding the whole system it doesn’t really matter. It should just be plug and play, but the people who know Cavaliers better than I would probably have a better idea. I don’t know if the master cylinders would need to be different or not. That could affect the brake balance.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Racescort666
05/09/2015 at 00:12

Unfortunately I’m in Southern Alberta, so quite a ways away - otherwise I would totally take you up on the offer!

BaconSandwich is tasty. > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
05/09/2015 at 00:16

I’ve got a friend who has a limited edition supercharged AW11. It seems like quite a fun little ride.

thebigbossyboss > BaconSandwich is tasty.
05/09/2015 at 00:23

Let me know when you sell. Spares yo.

thebigbossyboss > BaconSandwich is tasty.
05/09/2015 at 00:25

Oh I thought you were here forget the spares comment then if you’re way over there.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > BaconSandwich is tasty.
05/09/2015 at 00:25

Oh yeah, they’re amazing. Everyone’s telling me to supercharge mine, but the NA motor just has so much character and balls that I want to stay NA and tune it to rev to a billion.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > thebigbossyboss
05/09/2015 at 00:27

Ha ha! For sure. I’ll likely consult Opposite Lock before posting it for sale. Despite the Cavalier reputation, it has been pretty reliable. In the four years that my wife has had it, I think she’s only replaced the windshield, starter, backup light sensor... and that’s about it (other than the usual consumables).

thebigbossyboss > BaconSandwich is tasty.
05/09/2015 at 00:29

What in the fuck is the “back up light sensor”...

I had to replace my fuel pump and my suspension. Fun times. There is a cruise I just got back from...guy at the meet “wait is your cavalier lifted”...me “yuuup” (might as well be, it seems to have settled at about a 1/2inch lift haha.)

BaconSandwich is tasty. > thebigbossyboss
05/09/2015 at 00:31

There’s a small sensor that screws into the side of the transmission. When triggered, it turns on the backup/reverse lights. Thankfully, it is accessed through one of the wheel wells, so it wasn’t difficult to replace.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > BaconSandwich is tasty.
05/09/2015 at 01:25

On a daily driver that won’t be driven hard, drums are actually better. They last longer, don’t have issues with rusted rotors and actually have better initial braking than disks (until they heat up). The major downside to drums is they don’t dissipate heat as well... which only matters if it gets driven hard.