2007 DTS Front Brake Rotor Problems

[Randy Rossello]

2007 DTS HP - I have had a shimmy prioblem on the right front since I bought the car new from the dealer. Cadillac claims that there is not shimmy, but after owning 5 Cadillacs before this one I know differently. I use to rebuild motors in my parent's garage when I was a kid, so I know my way around a car a little bit.

I now have 50K miles on the car and have turned the rotors and replaced the pads once and am getting ready to replace them again. I drive a lot of miles in all conditions going between Baltimore and Washington, probably three days a week, so I am in a lot of stop and go traffic.

This car has the performance package with 18" rims and am looking into finding the right cross cut and drilled rotors for this vehicle with high temp pads. I wanted to see if the amount of heat from stop and go traffic is the issue and if by putting on cross cut and driller rotors and along with high temp pads, I might get rid of the shimmy in the pedal.

Any ideas and thoughts on this issue would be appreciated and if you have a suggested manfacturer of replacement parts would be helpful.

Thanks,

Randy

[CalDrvr]

Randy,

There is a "technical service bulletin" that addresses this problem, and the "FIX" is to get the special pads listed in the TSB. I first experienced the problem driving through the mountains in Calif. and replacing the front pads with those listed and that cured the problem. I experienced a hard "pulsing" of the brake pedal when the brakes heated up on long downhill sections. If this is the problem you're having when the brakes are applied, then this is the fix. If you are having a true "shimmy" when you're not on the brakes, then this is NOT the fix.

Sorry, but I can't remember the TSB number, but a little research on your part will find it.

Chris

[Randy Rossello]

Thanks Chris, you answered my question, now if I can find the bulletin.

[CalDrvr]

Try doing a 'google' search for 2007 DTS technical service bulletins.... It is the one that deals with the shimmy problem associated with getting the brakes hot from long downhill runs, or something like that. If you still can't find it, re-post here and I'll check back into my search.

Chris

[CalDrvr]

Randy, I went back and found this information. You might be able to get the parts under warranty, but I just ordered the parts from the dealer and paid out of my pocket.... Be sure to get the part number listed in this bulletin. The dealer tried to sell me a different number which matched the pads I was replacing...

Bulletin No.: 07-05-23-002
Date: July 10, 2007
TECHNICAL
Subject: 25837407
Brake Noise/Pulsation When Traveling Down Steep Grades (Replace Front Brake Pads)

Models:
2006-2007 Buick Lucerne
2006-2007 Cadillac DTS

Condition
Some customers may comment on brake noise/pulsation when traveling down steep grades. This condition affects vehicles driven primarily in mountainous terrain.
Cause
The brake pads may become rough due to heat build-up during brake application. Correction
Replace the brake pads with new brake pads, P/N 25837407, that are available to minimize this condition.
Refer to the Front Disc Brake Pads Replacement information and procedures in SI.

Chris