C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Front brakes still chirping!!

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Old Jul 4, 2006 | 11:29 AM
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Default Front brakes still chirping!!

OK. New pads (Bendix semi-metallic). Rotors are fine (nice, smooth, only 51Kmiles). My mechanic knows what he's doing, did the brake greasing at edges of pads. Checked the wear sensors, etc. Mechanic hand turned the wheels and could hear no chirping/squeaking (even after I took it back). Brakes feel great, stop strong. These are the fronts that were replaced. The rears are almost new (checked everything back there too). The chirping seems brake related to me because the sound dims when braking is applied. It did this last week before the front pads were changed, so now I am really puzzled. The sound is non existent when the car is cold and only driven for the first few miles, then once everything gets warmed up the sound rears its ugly head. Please help anyone. My vette is a '95 LT1 w/ 51,000 miles.
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Old Jul 4, 2006 | 01:33 PM
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Are you sure it's the brakes and not the hub bearing?
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Old Jul 4, 2006 | 01:51 PM
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My experience has been to ensure the pads "float" free when installed in the calipers.

Sometimes a little trimming with a file is required on the backing plate to relieve any binding with the caliper.

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Old Jul 4, 2006 | 10:14 PM
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Originally Posted by JrRifleCoach
My experience has been to ensure the pads "float" free when installed in the calipers.

Sometimes a little trimming with a file is required on the backing plate to relieve any binding with the caliper.

Thanks, I'll try this.
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Old Jul 4, 2006 | 10:16 PM
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Originally Posted by CharlieLed
Are you sure it's the brakes and not the hub bearing?
I wouldn't know. I'll check it out. Would the sound change like it does when I apply the brakes? Didn't think bearings would be affected by this. (??)
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Old Jul 5, 2006 | 01:07 AM
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Did the mechanic turn the rotors?Even if they arent warped,any glazing,bluish color on them?Checked both sides?

Anytime I do front pads and dont turn the rotors,I clean then scuff the rotors with sand paper to a non directional finish.Then I wash them down good with brake kleen before install.This always seems to do the trick to prevent any noise.I dont know if thats whats wrong with your set up,but its always worked for me.The pads need a good clean surface to bite into when they get broken in.If theres any glazing or hot spots,blue/blackish tarnish on the smooth rotors you have,it can cause noise with new pads.

Just a suggestion,may not be whats wrong.
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Old Jul 5, 2006 | 08:10 AM
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I have the same problem on my 86. I installed new pads and rotors at all corners. Now the first few minutes are fine. But when things get warmed up....I hate it. One thing I did notice is that the old pads were installed with a set of shims. I've never installed a shim kit for the pads, but I have seen them advertised in a few of the 'vette websites. When I get the blower done, I'm trying some of these out because I can't stand this noise!
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Old Jul 5, 2006 | 01:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Bill's86Coupe
Did the mechanic turn the rotors?Even if they arent warped,any glazing,bluish color on them?Checked both sides?

Anytime I do front pads and dont turn the rotors,I clean then scuff the rotors with sand paper to a non directional finish.Then I wash them down good with brake kleen before install.This always seems to do the trick to prevent any noise.I dont know if thats whats wrong with your set up,but its always worked for me.The pads need a good clean surface to bite into when they get broken in.If theres any glazing or hot spots,blue/blackish tarnish on the smooth rotors you have,it can cause noise with new pads.

Just a suggestion,may not be whats wrong.
I am dropping it off at the dealership tommorrow. I will have them check the rotors. The rotors were not turned, as the mechanic said they were fine. So, I'll have the dealership check them out and try the above tactics you mentioned. I'll also ask about using shims too. I hate going to dealerships, but they have more of a chance at seeing these types of problems before, so I'll give them a try.
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Old Jul 5, 2006 | 03:46 PM
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Chirping, or a high pitched squeal?

Apply this to the steel side of your brake shoes:

(also comes in spray can)

and douche your rotors and pads good with this:

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Old Jul 5, 2006 | 06:40 PM
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CentralCoaster,
It is more like a high pitched squeal than chirping noise. I hope this is the culprit and nothing expensive. I will purchase the two items you suggested. Thanks for your help. Oh yeah, the "steel side" being the side that has contact with the rotors or the side that has contact with the calipers? I know, a dumb question but want to make sure I get this right.

Last edited by timvette; Jul 5, 2006 at 06:42 PM.
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Old Jul 6, 2006 | 12:05 AM
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Originally Posted by timvette
CentralCoaster,
It is more like a high pitched squeal than chirping noise. I hope this is the culprit and nothing expensive. I will purchase the two items you suggested. Thanks for your help. Oh yeah, the "steel side" being the side that has contact with the rotors or the side that has contact with the calipers? I know, a dumb question but want to make sure I get this right.
No,never a dumb question...always ask anything,no matter what..no one knows everything,and the guys are here to help....the steel side is the back metal plate the pads are glued,or riveted onto.You apply some in the back of the pads,and when the stuff dries,it helps keeps the pads in place inside the caliper,or piston and not move.You had the right idea...common sense came into play for ya,but never feel theres a dumb questions.There may be a few people on here who may criticize that theres a dumb question,but they forget this stuff isnt what every member is about.

The only dumb question is the one not asked,and a person assuming he/she knows it all anyways.You start somewhere and build your knowledge..we all did and I never forget that.

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Old Jul 6, 2006 | 01:53 AM
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Originally Posted by timvette
CentralCoaster,
It is more like a high pitched squeal than chirping noise. I hope this is the culprit and nothing expensive. I will purchase the two items you suggested. Thanks for your help. Oh yeah, the "steel side" being the side that has contact with the rotors or the side that has contact with the calipers? I know, a dumb question but want to make sure I get this right.
Did you or the "Mech" bed the pads in? If not, between not turning the rotors and not bedding them in, its no wonder the brakes are squeeling.

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Old Jul 6, 2006 | 03:01 AM
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Originally Posted by Bill's86Coupe
The only dumb question is the one not asked,and a person assuming he/she knows it all anyways.You start somewhere and build your knowledge..we all did and I never forget that.


It's actually pretty common for dumb people to spray it on the friction surface, because they never asked the "dumb question" you did. Coating the rotors with oil would stop the squeal too...


In all seriousness, turning the rotors and bedding the pads is always a great idea. I'm not sure if it will affect the squeal, but they'll stop better.
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