Hi Paul, maybe I'll try that before I do anything else. It is the easiest one to do. Of course, while the pad is out I could just as well put the grease on too. I'll probably do that first, then see what happens. I don't think I'll get much of a chance to test it out this year anymore, winter is about ready to set in, but I need to get it fixed anyway. I am also going to tackle my paint job and new carpet this winter.......I hope.

 

John, funny how this works, just as I hit the button to send the prevous reply I received an email that I had a response, must have sent at the same time. :lol: As you can see above I have some plans for the vette for this winter. :D I have to get a transfer case leak fixed on my 4 wheel drive pickup first (probably going to need that :eek: ). I am pretty sure the Sioux Falls event is going to be July 17th. It's on a Wednesday afternoon and evening. It's a really good time. I don't know for sure how many vettes were there last year, but I'm sure it was over 300. I will post a reminder when it gets into next spring. Boy is it going to be a long wait until then. After last year I can't hardly wait until next year to go again. :D

 

The semi-metallic pads on my '81 squeaked when I first installed them. I applied a very small amount of anti-seize where each pad's metal backing plate contacts the piston in the caliper. I also installed those cheap little plastic clips on the leading/trailing ends of the pads.

Don't waste your money on the plastic clips. Mine eventually fell off, which means the anti-seize solved the problem.

 

So why did the instruction sheet that came with my SS calipers from ZIP say
that the warranty was voided if anti-seize compounds were used?

 

Hi,
Good luck with the paint job. Where are you getting the carpet set from?
Reading through the Mid America catalogue last night: they sell things that fit between the brake pads & the pistons to stop the squeal. Maybe worth looking at if none of the above stops it. They also do stainless steel brake pad pins which help prevent squeal & also prevent brake pad "click", so I'll be getting a set as the clicking is driving me :mad

 

Maybe they're worried about claims against them if the brakes fail due to anti-seize getting on the pads? I always try chamfering the leading edge of the pads & make sure that nothing is worn/corroded before I resort to anti-seize (not too keen on the thought of any sort of lubricant near the pads). But I do know a couple of mechanics who use a small spot of anti-seize on the rear of new brake pads as a matter of course.
:cheers:

 

I was advised to chamfer the leading edge of the pads, too. Fortunately, anti-seize solved the problem.

I had a squeaky brake problem on my Harley FLH, too. In this case, I replaced the fixed rotors with a floating type, which I was planning to do anyway. I've never heard of floating rotors for cars. Does anyone make them, or does the thickness of a car's rotor prohibit them? (Motorcycle rotors are typically 1/4 inch thick.)

 

Cars do have floating calipers. I believe the Pontiac 6000 I had ran a floating caliper. It seems to me that the Camaro has them as well. They work pretty well as long as the pins that the caliper slides on are kept clean. They aren't really the perfect thing either, in my opinion, because the calipers do stick on the pins once in a while and wear one pad more than the other. Just something I noticed along the way. :cheers:

 

Paul, I got my carpet from Mid America. I also got a complete rear compartment door assembly, so I guess I'm about ready to tackle it. I like the looks of the carpet. I won't know completely what I think of it until I go to put it in, but it looks like a well made product.

 

Hi, thanks for the answer. I was looking at the Mid America carpet sets, but it's always good to get someones opinion of them before buying, as anything looks good in catalogue pictures!
Brake squeel: The front pads were changed 2 months ago in my Ford & since then they have screeched at all speeds. It was VERY LOUD, even louder than the horns! Being very lazy regarding my Ford ;) I just left them alone & turned up the tape player volume (look upon it as a safety thing - everyone within 100yards hears me!). Last night I noticed that only one side was still squeeling, and not every time I braked. It seems that after a lot of use (or maybe driving in wet conditions) there may be a build up of clag around the pads that stops the squeak?
:cheers:
Paul

 

I have 2p worth to add here....

I've had the squeak problem and spent ages trying to get it sorted. I tried the shims that go at the ends of the pads (from MAD) but I'm not too convinced that they help much. I believe that Ecklers or MAD now do a different kind of rubber sleeve that fits over the end of the pad, which may be a better design.

I'm advised that anti seize (I used copper grease) can attach the calliper seals… hearsay but it may be worth bearing in mind. I use a little brake grease (Castrol PH) on the rear of the pad and the front of the piston. It does seem to help.

Paul's chamfer idea is good, I think I need to be doing this as mine has developed a slight squeak in recent weeks, at some speeds.

Paul… new carpets? I thought what I saw of yours at Brooklands, (the rear section mostly) looked pretty good, in fact I was going to ask if they were new! Hope you got home OK and didn't have guests on the doorstep!

 

Chamfering definately works on my bike & an old Renault I once owned (unfortunately!). I should have tried doing it on the Ford but, well, I really don't like working on it (it depresses me :lol: ).
My rear carpets have definately been replaced in the recent past, but I'm pretty sure that the front are original (found a few foreign coins ;) under them when working on the centre console).
The trip home from Brooklands? You just reminded me - driving through Weybridge I saw a Horse Chestnut tree ahead of me drop a large conker. The conker hit the road, bounced & formed what looked like being a perfect arc, before belting my windshield smack in the centre (I'd never have thought that I'd one day play conkers with a Corvette :lol: ). A huge bang, Carey leapt out of her skin & about 5 secs later the drivers mirror fell off & headed directly for my expensive, brand new centre console :eek: Luckily Carey caught it before it made contact (that's one I owe her!). Apart from that it was a very pleasant trip - thanks! It was a good day out, being surrounded by Vettes & their owners - hope you enjoyed it. Your polished alloy wheels - I use AutoGlym Super Resin polish on alloy once its' polished up. It dulls the shine slightly, but it keeps the shine for a lot longer.
Yep, we had guests on the doorstep, but if you can't keep your friends waiting, then who can you keep waiting? :lol: :lol:
Have an excellent holiday,
Paul