How to stop squeaking brakes?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Rochester Hills MI
How to stop squeaking brakes?
They squeak after warming up and don't stop until they cool down. I noticed this problem AFTER a track day at Gingerman so they took a fair amount of abuse. Plenty of meat left on the pads. I took the time to bed the fronts in properly, rears already had 47,000 miles or so. They (obviously), only squeak when the brakes are applied. Fronts are C5 Z06 pads on C6 rotors. Rears are stock C5. Thanks.
Dave
Dave
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
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Are c6 and c5 rotors the same? I thought they were different... maybe just on the z06?
I was going to mention do another bed in process... couldnt hurt I guess. BUT I would also make sure that you have pad material left at each corner. You may be hearing the wear indicator scratching against the rotor - this would be consistent with the warming up, and then noise, problem you're seeing. Does it squeak constantly, or in tempo?
Take the wheel off and check the rear inside pads first - the inside pads wear first and sometimes at an angle. I bet you are just ready for new pads. How old are the fronts?
I was going to mention do another bed in process... couldnt hurt I guess. BUT I would also make sure that you have pad material left at each corner. You may be hearing the wear indicator scratching against the rotor - this would be consistent with the warming up, and then noise, problem you're seeing. Does it squeak constantly, or in tempo?
Take the wheel off and check the rear inside pads first - the inside pads wear first and sometimes at an angle. I bet you are just ready for new pads. How old are the fronts?
Last edited by Subw00er; Jun 9, 2007 at 08:32 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
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From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
the harder the pad and the more stopping power the more squeaking.
My Hawk HP+ brakes (designed for Auto-X sqeak all the time) My AC/Delco ceramic don't squeak at all...
Pick do you want stopping power or noise free braking?
My Hawk HP+ brakes (designed for Auto-X sqeak all the time) My AC/Delco ceramic don't squeak at all...
Pick do you want stopping power or noise free braking?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: Rochester Hills MI
Are c6 and c5 rotors the same? I thought they were different... maybe just on the z06?
I was going to mention do another bed in process... couldnt hurt I guess. BUT I would also make sure that you have pad material left at each corner. You may be hearing the wear indicator scratching against the rotor - this would be consistent with the warming up, and then noise, problem you're seeing. Does it squeak constantly, or in tempo?
Take the wheel off and check the rear inside pads first - they wear first and sometimes at an angle. I bet you are just ready for new pads. How old are the fronts?
I was going to mention do another bed in process... couldnt hurt I guess. BUT I would also make sure that you have pad material left at each corner. You may be hearing the wear indicator scratching against the rotor - this would be consistent with the warming up, and then noise, problem you're seeing. Does it squeak constantly, or in tempo?
Take the wheel off and check the rear inside pads first - they wear first and sometimes at an angle. I bet you are just ready for new pads. How old are the fronts?
The C6 rotors are slightly different where they slip over the studs but work fine on the C5s. Many vette enthusiast/autocrossers have been using them since the C6 came out with zero issues. The design seems to draw heat away from the bearings better. The front pads prolly only have 2000 miles and the pad still looks a half inch thick. The rears look to be about half worn but the wear indicators are not close to the rotor, even on the inside. They squaek fairly consistently. I have heard that hi-po type pads like the Z06's are noisier, but man do they make a difference in stopping power. I will try to re-bed and see if that helps. Thanks.
Last edited by DeFormula; Jun 9, 2007 at 07:43 PM. Reason: add something
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
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The C6 rotors are slightly different where they slip over the studs but work fine on the C5s. Many vette enthusiast/autocrossers have been using them since the C6 came out with zero issues. The design seems to draw heat away from the bearings better. The front pads prolly only have 2000 miles and the pad still looks a half inch thick. The rears look to be about half worn but the wear indicators are not close to the rotor, even on the inside. They squaek fairly consistently. I have heard that hi-po type pads like the Z06's are noisier, but man do they make a difference in stopping power. I will try to re-bed and see if that helps. Thanks.
If you do have aftermarket, agressive pads, you will probably hear squeaking - typically because of a higher metal content in the pad.
Thread Starter
Instructor
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From: Rochester Hills MI
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
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So thats basically stock all around... Weird. Are you SURE you have pad material left on the rear? Did you take the wheels off? Can you see the wear indicator? How close is it to the rotor?
Do the calipers move freely? You can pull on them slow and steady with your hand (towards you) to compress the pistons until you get some play - it should move freely in and out.
BTW, Did you run at the track with active handling on, or in competition mode?
Do the calipers move freely? You can pull on them slow and steady with your hand (towards you) to compress the pistons until you get some play - it should move freely in and out.
BTW, Did you run at the track with active handling on, or in competition mode?
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 174
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From: Rochester Hills MI
So thats basically stock all around... Weird. Are you SURE you have pad material left on the rear? Did you take the wheels off? Can you see the wear indicator? How close is it to the rotor?
Do the calipers move freely? You can pull on them slow and steady with your hand (towards you) to compress the pistons until you get some play - it should move freely in and out.
BTW, Did you run at the track with active handling on, or in competition mode?
Do the calipers move freely? You can pull on them slow and steady with your hand (towards you) to compress the pistons until you get some play - it should move freely in and out.
BTW, Did you run at the track with active handling on, or in competition mode?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 174
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From: Rochester Hills MI
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 220
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From: East Windsor NJ
Mine squeaked in the same situations. Sounded fine when cold, but once heated up they would squeak at every stop. I was planning to go in there with some 220 grit and scuff up the rotors and the pads and reassemble. All I did was take the wheels off and hit it all with breakclean while spinning the rotors, front and back of them. 3500 miles and no squeaking since. Give it a try, alot easier than taking everything apart.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,386
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From: Boise ID
Have you ever tried that anti squeal stuff they sell at auto part stores? It’s a substance that goes on the back of the brake pad where the piston pushes on it. Worked great on my C4. Others have also used blue Permatex with success.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 174
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From: Rochester Hills MI
Mine squeaked in the same situations. Sounded fine when cold, but once heated up they would squeak at every stop. I was planning to go in there with some 220 grit and scuff up the rotors and the pads and reassemble. All I did was take the wheels off and hit it all with breakclean while spinning the rotors, front and back of them. 3500 miles and no squeaking since. Give it a try, alot easier than taking everything apart.
Great suggestion. I'll give it a try.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 174
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From: Rochester Hills MI
I've tried it on other vehicles and was planning on eventually trying it on the vette if needed. The squealing only started after the Grattan track day though so up until now it hasn't been a problem.
Last edited by DeFormula; Jun 10, 2007 at 09:46 PM. Reason: correct spelling
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 174
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From: Rochester Hills MI
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: Rochester Hills MI
UPDATE...
I tried all of these suggestions and concluded it is just the hi-po pads. I went back to the stockers and the squeal is gone and they produce much less dust. I have decided I'll just switch over to the hi-po ones for track days.
Thanks to everyone for their suggestions.
Dave
I tried all of these suggestions and concluded it is just the hi-po pads. I went back to the stockers and the squeal is gone and they produce much less dust. I have decided I'll just switch over to the hi-po ones for track days.
Thanks to everyone for their suggestions.
Dave
