Squeaking breaks
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Pro
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Smile Contributor '03, '04, '05
Squeaking brakes
Hello all,
I have a 2003 vert with a little over 6,000 miles and the rear brakes just started squeaking. It is only the rear brakes and they only squeak when I am doing less than 15 miles per hour when I apply the brakes. It's pretty loud. I am embarrassed sometimes to have such a nice car and it squeals when you stop. It is still under warranty and I am sure it will be covered. I was just wondering if anyone else has had a problem with the brakes on the Vette?
I have a 2003 vert with a little over 6,000 miles and the rear brakes just started squeaking. It is only the rear brakes and they only squeak when I am doing less than 15 miles per hour when I apply the brakes. It's pretty loud. I am embarrassed sometimes to have such a nice car and it squeals when you stop. It is still under warranty and I am sure it will be covered. I was just wondering if anyone else has had a problem with the brakes on the Vette?
Last edited by Blong; Sep 3, 2004 at 11:13 AM.
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I didn't have any problems with my stock pads but when I replaced my rotors, I went with a set of Baer's and changed the pads to Hawks. Mine has developed a squeel also. Haven't figured out just how to stop it yet. If you can get GM to look at it under warranty, that would be a good way to go.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,028
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From: Chicago (Naperville) IL
I get a squeaking for the rear brakes too, but it started happening when I switched to cross drilled and slotted rotors. Furthermore, the squeaqking is only there when the rotors are cold, after a few small brakes the squeaking goes away. If you are under warranty, get it checked out.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,411
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From: Wilmington NC
Originally Posted by Blong
Hello all,
I have a 2003 vert with a little over 6,000 miles and the rear brakes just started squeaking. It is only the rear brakes and they only squeak when I am doing less than 15 miles per hour when I apply the brakes. It's pretty loud. I am embarrassed sometimes to have such a nice car and it squeals when you stop. It is still under warranty and I am sure it will be covered. I was just wondering if anyone else has had a problem with the brakes on the Vette?
I have a 2003 vert with a little over 6,000 miles and the rear brakes just started squeaking. It is only the rear brakes and they only squeak when I am doing less than 15 miles per hour when I apply the brakes. It's pretty loud. I am embarrassed sometimes to have such a nice car and it squeals when you stop. It is still under warranty and I am sure it will be covered. I was just wondering if anyone else has had a problem with the brakes on the Vette?
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: north/central New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
I had the same problem. The car was in the dealer for something else and I was told by the head of the repair department in a condescrnding tone that the squeek would go away if I Drove it more.
Oh well I have not taken it back to that dealer since.
Oh well I have not taken it back to that dealer since.
Wil Cooksey #256
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,814
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From: Sacramento Kalifornia
Originally Posted by hollyt
I had the same problem. The car was in the dealer for something else and I was told by the head of the repair department in a condescrnding tone that the squeek would go away if I Drove it more.
Oh well I have not taken it back to that dealer since.
Oh well I have not taken it back to that dealer since.
Holly, get your new wheels in your avatar, they look sweet
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 1
From: Wilmington NC
Originally Posted by hollyt
I had the same problem. The car was in the dealer for something else and I was told by the head of the repair department in a condescrnding tone that the squeek would go away if I Drove it more.
Oh well I have not taken it back to that dealer since.
Oh well I have not taken it back to that dealer since.
But, it might have, been good advice. Vette rotors are quite large for the weight of the car and need some agressive braking to keep the pad film transfer smooth and even.
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Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Noblesville IN
Originally Posted by Richin Chicago
But, it might have, been good advice. Vette rotors are quite large for the weight of the car and need some agressive braking to keep the pad film transfer smooth and even.
The 2004 has different pads than earlier C5s...they are chamfered to help prevent....noise.
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Some pads will squeal at low speed stops, it is usually one of two things
!) the caliper piston and the metal backing plate of the pads , a metal to metal contact. Some anti squeal will help in this area...
2) the pad surface has become what is known as "work Hard" the material is so hard it scrapes the rotor face causing this squeal. The fix for this is to remove the pads, place a piece of #36 or #60 grit sand paper on a flat board, like a 2X4 . then place the pad, compound side down against the sandpaper. With a firm hand rub the surface of the pad back and forth to remove any work hard spots on the pad face... dont be afraid to remove some material.. You are not sanding the metal backing plate, but the face of the pad.
!) the caliper piston and the metal backing plate of the pads , a metal to metal contact. Some anti squeal will help in this area...
2) the pad surface has become what is known as "work Hard" the material is so hard it scrapes the rotor face causing this squeal. The fix for this is to remove the pads, place a piece of #36 or #60 grit sand paper on a flat board, like a 2X4 . then place the pad, compound side down against the sandpaper. With a firm hand rub the surface of the pad back and forth to remove any work hard spots on the pad face... dont be afraid to remove some material.. You are not sanding the metal backing plate, but the face of the pad.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,044
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From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
Originally Posted by Richin Chicago
Probabally have some uneven pad buildup on the rotors. Go some place where it is safe and put some hard stops on the car to get a better pad to rotor film transfer. Go from 50 to 5 just short of ABS. Don't ever completely stop and stay out of ABS. Give the brakes time to cool (about 5 minutes at 60 MPH) and repeat the process sevral times.
Its called "bedding the brakes"...I did mine right after the break in period(500 miles)...I guess I will see in the future if it worked...supposed to keep the rotors from warping and pads from squealing....look up the correct procedure and do it...its not too late to "bed" the brakes...just type in "bedding brakes" in a google search 
