Owners of 2005-07 Buick Terraza, Chevy Uplander and Pontiac Montana minivans may come into your store with a complaint of a vibration or pulsation that materializes whenever the brakes are applied on the open road.
A likely cause, said General Motors, is excess lateral runout in the front rotors. Dirt and other road debris getting flung on to the rotors are the ultimate culprits.
Installing new-design front brake shields (Part No. 19167950, left side; Part No. 19167253, right side) should prevent further trouble. After installing the new shields, cut or replace the rotors as necessary, then install a set of fresh brake pads.
"Factory Fixes" is written by Jim DePalma, a 30-year veteran of the auto repair business who has served stints as a service manager, parts manager and ASE-certified technician. His column provides vehicle manufacturers' authentic factory technical service bulletins (TSBs) that have been condensed for easier reading. Mr. DePalma advises that techs always check with a dealer or repair information system for the latest revisions before starting to work on a vehicle. He can be reached via e-mail at [email protected].