I have a '68 all original/ 70,000-mile Big Block that I recently had the rear spindle bearings replaced as well as the installation of stainless brake calipers. The car has an annoying "squeek, squeek" coming from the rear--squeek speeds us with speed of the vehicle. Intensity of the squeek intensifies with light brake pedal usage, however if you press on brakes very strong the squeek stops. Rotors were replaced (no glazing as it's only been driven 300-miles since work performed) as well as new pads and calipers. During normal highway driving around 55-MPH, there is an occasional "metallic clatter" noise that comes and goes from the rear--can make it stop by tapping on brake pedal, but eventually it comes back however with no consistency as to how to make the noise repeat itself. This car has been in my family for 36-years---purchased it from my dad. Car sat for 12-years with no highway time, though it was started routinely and driven "around the block". Emergency brake components replaced at same time and operating properly, thus little chance this is the culprit. All the undercarriage rubber was replaced as well--stuck with original style rubber as opposed to "poly" components as I preferred to keep everything original---also replaced all "U-Joints" at the same time.

Work was performed by reputable repair shop with many years of experience in total C3 restorations, however they are located (5) hours away from where I live and trailering car to TN again is not an easy thing to do.

Suggestions as to what I need to do here would be welcomed!

 

First of all; if it were done by a reputable and experienced repair shop, they should have the answer to the problem since they did the work. Your description of the problem sounds like it is related to the brakes but maybe something else. Were the rotors changed or removed? Even if the weren't I think would check to see how true they are. Did they check the endplay of the spindles after replacing the bearings? Maybe you just got a pair of squeaky pads.

 

i just had that problem and it was the rear axle shaft u joints. replaced them last night now no squeek

 

easy way to check is to unbolt the rear axle shaft and then turn the wheel by hand if no squeek. its you u joints not the bearings.

 

Thanks...forgot to mention all the "U-Joints" were replaced when all this other work was done.

 

mine were replaced 6 months ago. when rear end was rebuilt. and they put in the cheap *** parts u joints. and they failed. turn you tires by hand while the car is up on jacks if you hear the squeek. pull the rear axle shaft. then turn the tire again if no squeek thats your problem. easy to check.

 

Brian, from my experience with working on Vettes, the squeeking is coming from the brake pads/rotors. I would think that removing the pads, beveling the edges, slightly scuffing the surface of the pad, would most likely cure the noise.

 

I think that there's been a caveat that if you replace your parking brake mechanism with all stainless steel components, DON'T replace the brake shoes with the repro stainless steel shoes. Apparantly the stainless steel shoes have a different radius than the stock OEM shoes. I'm pretty sure I'm correct with some of the message here, I think there's something else to be said as to whether you have new rotors, etc. Maybe someone out there can be more accurate. I forget the details.

 

I have the same problem with my 77' which I just finished with a rebuild..I put on new pads,rotors n calipers n when I hit the pedal most of the time it squeeks like when your pads need to be changed........Any ideas...Thanx...Jerrylee///

 

The Parking brake make need a very slight adjustment. They may operate just fine right now, but tht doesnt mean it isnt a little too tight while disangaged which would make it rub ever so slightly..

 

First thing I'd look at

 

Is your suggestion a hunch or are you speaking from experience? I have adjusted the E-Brakes (from nothing to firm and everything in between) and inspected the pads.....no "rub" indications nor does the adjustments make any difference in terms of the noise. Have even tried pulling up ever so slightly on the E-Brake while driving...no difference in noise.

 

Did you check the runout on the rear rotors. Most rear brake problems I have encountered on corvettes have been due to excessive runout of one or both rear rotors. This suggestion is not a hunch but speaking from experience. I have seen this problem numerous times and it has been brought up on the forum many times also. New rotors don't meen the runout is right. You have to check runout with a dial indicator any time you work on the rear brakes. Sometimes the spindle face is not perfectly perpendicular to the spindle shaft so the rotor has to be shimmed to run true.

 

Mine squeel / squeek after a recent 300 mile complete pad & rotor job, its in the braks as it only happens when i hit the pedal........
NO POWER BRAKES HERE EITHER !!!

 

Maybe it goes away afterwhile

 

Hi

Sometimes it is enough just to put some cupper past on the back side of the brake pads where they meet the caliper pistons.
Also this little silicone tubs installed to the sides of the brake pads can eliminate this squeeking.
Your problem sounds very much like aft brake pad squeeking, concentrate on this.

Good luck. Günther

 

Rotor Runout. Also the pads look interchangable. They are not. The pad will have more metal showing in relationship to the lining centerline, at one end of the pad. This end MUST point toward the front of the car. They will fit either way but check this as it is easily missed and can also cause the symtoms you describe. It will also affect the wear of the pads.