[Z06] Brakes Squeeking!?!?!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 243
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From: Purcellville, VA
Brakes Squeeking!?!?!
Hey Z06'ers,
I bought my Z06 in February and I'm having issues with the brakes squeeking pretty badly
. My other cars just needed some grease on the caliper bolts or maybe some of that stuff that goes on the back of the pads, but the brakes on this beast are new to me and I don't have any experience with them. There seems to be plenty of pad left and the car only has ~11K on it now. I also notice a slight pulsation when stopping with light pressure. Does that mean that they are warped a little? The brakes actually work very well so no complaints there, just curious if this might be an issue. Thanks.
Mike
I bought my Z06 in February and I'm having issues with the brakes squeeking pretty badly
. My other cars just needed some grease on the caliper bolts or maybe some of that stuff that goes on the back of the pads, but the brakes on this beast are new to me and I don't have any experience with them. There seems to be plenty of pad left and the car only has ~11K on it now. I also notice a slight pulsation when stopping with light pressure. Does that mean that they are warped a little? The brakes actually work very well so no complaints there, just curious if this might be an issue. Thanks.Mike
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
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any pulsation usually means the rotors are warped. I know the GM rotors are crap (at least were crap on my WS6, which I warped when doing 150mph and slammed on the breaks). I put after market rotors and pads on, never had a problem. As for the ZO6, my breaks sqeek as well. I plan on getting after market rotors and pads on the Z as well. GM products just suck if you ask me.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 243
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From: Purcellville, VA
As I expected. When changing the brakes, do I do the normal stuff like greasing the caliper bolts or are these a completely different setup? I do all my own brakes on all of my cars so I don't see taking this in for it. Thanks again. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,984
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From: Central Coast CA
Originally Posted by hocheehoba
I know the GM rotors are crap (at least were crap on my WS6, which I warped when doing 150mph and slammed on the breaks).
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 49
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My 03 Z sqeeks aslo, but only after brake dust buildup. Soon as I wash ti and clean the wheels, it stops until the dust builds back up. Usually after another day of driving. I love my Z, but by far, the most annoying item is the severe brake dust every time I drive it. try washing the wheel area as if you were rinsing the saopy water from the rims. Mine clears every time
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 20,933
Likes: 905
From: salem OR
Originally Posted by EB03Z
My 03 Z sqeeks aslo, but only after brake dust buildup. Soon as I wash ti and clean the wheels, it stops until the dust builds back up. Usually after another day of driving. I love my Z, but by far, the most annoying item is the severe brake dust every time I drive it. try washing the wheel area as if you were rinsing the saopy water from the rims. Mine clears every time
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 56,381
Likes: 79
Originally Posted by hocheehoba
any pulsation usually means the rotors are warped. I know the GM rotors are crap (at least were crap on my WS6, which I warped when doing 150mph and slammed on the breaks). I put after market rotors and pads on, never had a problem. As for the ZO6, my breaks sqeek as well. I plan on getting after market rotors and pads on the Z as well. GM products just suck if you ask me.
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Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
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Originally Posted by Shylor
Not sure how you figure this stunt makes them out to be crap, considering they were not designed to be slammed on at 150mph.
Dogface
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 25,974
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From: At the Beach, FL
St. Jude Donor '15, '17
Originally Posted by Shylor
Performance brakes make noise....period. You could go with Ceramic brakes but get less stopping power.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 56,381
Likes: 79
Originally Posted by hocheehoba
That stunt most likely saved my life! When your doing 150 on the autobahn in Germany (which is legal) and some idiot pulls out in front of you, it’s either slam on brakes and downshift rapidly, or plow into them. I think I chose wisely. Anyways, the after market brakes I installed afterwards, experienced the same situation a couple of times, and they NEVER warped, or squeaked. Take that for what its worth.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,984
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From: Central Coast CA
Originally Posted by hocheehoba
That stunt most likely saved my life!
Most aftermarket performance brake products are designed at a higher standard and are what you needed from the start.
Last edited by Shylor; Apr 4, 2005 at 03:24 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,984
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From: Central Coast CA
Originally Posted by dwjz06
I switched over to ceramics almost a year ago and I never got less stopping power. I got a different feel in the pedal from the stock pads but it stops very well on the street. I have not had them on a track yet.
Most people won't notice the difference for street use, but there is a difference.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,055
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From: Simi Valley CA
I respectfully disagree that the stock brakes are crap. I track my car regularly using the stock setup (130 to 40 over and over literally for a couple hours per track day) and I've never had a problem. The stock rotors even stand up to high temp race pads. The only weakness in the system if that over the course of time, they will heat up and fade. But I'm talking about 25+ minute of non-stop heavy ABS type stop use.
As already indicated, the pulsing is actually built up pad material. Do a stop pattern like you do when you break in new pads and I'll bet this goes away. This will also help with any squeaking.
As already indicated, the pulsing is actually built up pad material. Do a stop pattern like you do when you break in new pads and I'll bet this goes away. This will also help with any squeaking.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,838
Likes: 85
From: DFW Texas
Some brakes squeak and some don't. Depends on how the settle. replacing the pads doesn't promise no squeaking.
The vibration you feel is from the rotors. If you have to replace the rotors then you will need to replace the pads too.
The vibration you feel is from the rotors. If you have to replace the rotors then you will need to replace the pads too.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 218
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I was in Friedberg, Germany.
I know there is cost involved when GM makes a decision about putting items on vehicles. But when it comes to safety, I believe GM should use whatever is best on the market at the time, not whatever is cost efficient. “If I am dead because my breaks wouldn't stop my car, I don’t think I would be a repeat buyer of GM.”
I know there is cost involved when GM makes a decision about putting items on vehicles. But when it comes to safety, I believe GM should use whatever is best on the market at the time, not whatever is cost efficient. “If I am dead because my breaks wouldn't stop my car, I don’t think I would be a repeat buyer of GM.”
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,984
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From: Central Coast CA
hocheehoba, But again you don't seem to understand something, 150mph panic brake use are not the norm and clearly at the upper limits or over the top of its performance design. In either case the car did in fact keep you safe, for that one instance. Like with many safety features, that one time may be the limit to the rotors useful life for something like that.
You assume the car should routinely be able to handle this feat just because those speeds are legal there. I doubt any car could do this.
You assume the car should routinely be able to handle this feat just because those speeds are legal there. I doubt any car could do this.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,838
Likes: 85
From: DFW Texas
Originally Posted by hocheehoba
I was in Friedberg, Germany.
I know there is cost involved when GM makes a decision about putting items on vehicles. But when it comes to safety, I believe GM should use whatever is best on the market at the time, not whatever is cost efficient. “If I am dead because my breaks wouldn't stop my car, I don’t think I would be a repeat buyer of GM.”
I know there is cost involved when GM makes a decision about putting items on vehicles. But when it comes to safety, I believe GM should use whatever is best on the market at the time, not whatever is cost efficient. “If I am dead because my breaks wouldn't stop my car, I don’t think I would be a repeat buyer of GM.”
You have any other cars in the Z06 price range that can stop faster?
I don't think there is one that is even close.