[Z06] squeaking brakes!!!?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,151
Likes: 0
From: KaLiFoRnIa
squeaking brakes!!!?
How bad do your stock brakes squeak???
I have read on here, and done some of the things people say to get rid of it.
1. I have heated them up in cycles and then let them cool over night, works for about 2 days and then comes back.
2. When I wash the car, I try to spray off as much dust as possible, works again for about 2 days.
3. yesterday took the wheel off and brake pads and put anti squeak material, didnt seem to do anything!!!!!
I dont mind if they make a little noise, but when I get almost to a stop, and you lift just a tad the damn car sounds like a School bus!!!! and I hate it!!! I am not easy on the brakes either.
My last car, 2006 Evo 9 had brembo brakes from the factory, and they were awesome and never never made a sound, so why is it that people always say on here " thats just the way performance brakes are."
am I missing anything, short of getting new pads?
thanks
I have read on here, and done some of the things people say to get rid of it.
1. I have heated them up in cycles and then let them cool over night, works for about 2 days and then comes back.
2. When I wash the car, I try to spray off as much dust as possible, works again for about 2 days.
3. yesterday took the wheel off and brake pads and put anti squeak material, didnt seem to do anything!!!!!
I dont mind if they make a little noise, but when I get almost to a stop, and you lift just a tad the damn car sounds like a School bus!!!! and I hate it!!! I am not easy on the brakes either.
My last car, 2006 Evo 9 had brembo brakes from the factory, and they were awesome and never never made a sound, so why is it that people always say on here " thats just the way performance brakes are."
am I missing anything, short of getting new pads?
thanks
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 30,317
Likes: 165
From: Reading PA
This is very common for Corvettes. That is why everyone switches to ceramics. I sell them. Ceramics are very low dust and very low noise.
||--Genuine GM C5 Ceramic Brake Pads--||
88909667 – Front ceramic pad kit
88909668 – Rear ceramic pad kit
Both front and rear ceramic pad kits 150.26 shipped.
||--Genuine GM C5 Ceramic Brake Pads--||
88909667 – Front ceramic pad kit
88909668 – Rear ceramic pad kit
Both front and rear ceramic pad kits 150.26 shipped.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,742
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From: Color my life with the chaos of trouble.
I have had ceramic pads on my 02Z for about a year and a half. There is a slightly noticeable difference in performance over the metallics but they do just fine on a daily driver.
Why would you be afraid of the brakes going out?? It's not like ceramic pads are completely incapable, just not quite as performance based as the others.
Why would you be afraid of the brakes going out?? It's not like ceramic pads are completely incapable, just not quite as performance based as the others.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 469
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From: Qatif
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,580
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From: Communist Colorado
Did you just do a pad slap or a complete brake job? If you just did a pad slap, its likely you'll get squeeking because theres a glaze on the rotors.
If you did a complete brake job, ie: new or machined rotors, did you take out the rotational pattern from the machine process? Even on brand new rotors I use a 3M 80grit disc on my die grinder in order to create a random pattern on the rotor surfaces. In theory this lessens the chance of harmonic vibration which is actually what you hear as a squeek.
I learned this in tech school and have always used the method with excellent results. In fact I just recently did the brakes on my 02Z. I had the rotors machined and bought Auto Zone Gold Series pads for it. I havent had a sound and the performance for the street is great. I also live in a mountainous area and carve up and down the twisties and have had no sign of brake fade.
JM .02
If you did a complete brake job, ie: new or machined rotors, did you take out the rotational pattern from the machine process? Even on brand new rotors I use a 3M 80grit disc on my die grinder in order to create a random pattern on the rotor surfaces. In theory this lessens the chance of harmonic vibration which is actually what you hear as a squeek.
I learned this in tech school and have always used the method with excellent results. In fact I just recently did the brakes on my 02Z. I had the rotors machined and bought Auto Zone Gold Series pads for it. I havent had a sound and the performance for the street is great. I also live in a mountainous area and carve up and down the twisties and have had no sign of brake fade.
JM .02
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
You were just lucky if your Evo's brakes didn't squeal. Why worry about it. If there is nothing wrong with the brakes performance and they aren't worn out then why go to the expense of changing them? The squealing is only bad if you think its bad. Who gives a XXXX about what other people think as they probably have no clue anyways.
Bill
Bill
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: KaLiFoRnIa
^^ you have a point. a few of my other cars had squeeks sometimes and it didnt bother me, but he vette is all the time and is 10x louder and it annoys me. maybe ill just suffer through it untill I need new ones.
Team Owner
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I just tell people "it's a factory race car" and the brakes are supposed to squeal a bit! :o 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,580
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From: Communist Colorado
If you want to and have the tools, you can remove the calipers and pads together. Remove the rotors and use the 80 grit 3M pad to remove the glazing on your rotors. The objective is to create a nice crosshatch pattern on the rotor surface. This will most likely work for you and will also help remove the glaze on the pad surface also.
If you have no vibration or pedal pulsation and dont need rotors or machine work on them, do the method I suggest and replace the pads with a new set at that time.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 306
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From: Greensboro NC
I just replaced my original pads with 11K on some Eradispeed rotors and went with the Carbotech Bobcats. Honestly man, I couldn't be happier. They are a ceramic "hybrid" and I can't tell any difference between the stopping power of these and the originals. I CAN tell that the squeak is gone and dusting is cut by 50-75%. I don't track the car but I drive it hard on the street and never have had an issue with them fading. They are perfect for me.
Race Director
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From: Lenoir City Tennessee
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I feel the same way about the squeaking brakes. I have to pull into the guard station every morning at work so they can see my badge and parking permit. Everytime, the brakes squeaked. I finally got to where I had had enough and bought the GM Ceramics. I have not heard a peep out of the brakes again. I only noticed the difference in stopping power during the break in of the pads. I am sure they are probably not as capable but now I don't have all the dust nor do I have the squeak. I am happy with the results.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: KADS- If it has wings or an engine, I can break it. Dallas TX
Check the outer edge of the rotor. THere is usually a highpoint or "ridge" because the pad does not cover the outer edge. This ridge usually causes the squeal. Machine this ridge flat or replace rotors, problem solved.
UH, BTW have you checked that the inside pad is not worn down to the wear indicator. The inside pad wears faster and is harder to see on the car.
best of luck.
UH, BTW have you checked that the inside pad is not worn down to the wear indicator. The inside pad wears faster and is harder to see on the car.
best of luck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
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From: Longview Texas
My factory Z06 brakes have NEVER squealed
, so it must not just be the pad material that makes a difference.
I am not convinced that people switch to ceramics because of noise. I think it is because they create less brake dust to clean off the wheels.
I have noticed a sizeable lip on the edge of the rotor, but brakes are still quiet and smooth.
Maybe you are just not using the brakes hard enough.
, so it must not just be the pad material that makes a difference. I am not convinced that people switch to ceramics because of noise. I think it is because they create less brake dust to clean off the wheels.
I have noticed a sizeable lip on the edge of the rotor, but brakes are still quiet and smooth.
Maybe you are just not using the brakes hard enough.
Last edited by TEXHAWK0; Mar 15, 2009 at 04:17 PM.
