bwill03z

I have powerstop pads and rotors that were put on brand new by the stealership when I bought my 03 Z06. They have squealed from day one. I've removed all pads/rotors, cleaned and greased them but they still squeal. I have brand new AC Delco durastop ceramic pads that have been sitting in the garage for awhile and was wondering if it's a terrible idea to put those pads on with my current rotors? I know it's best to change rotors when doing pads but my rotors look fine. What do you guys think? Current setup stops great but I can't stand the noise.

chain_5001

I'd go ahead and do it. And if it doesn't perform to your liking then redo it. Thats the nice thing about working on your own car. Plus you didn't have to pay the "stealership" to make it sqeal. But in all fairness brakes do make some noise.

vettenuts

I would swap as well. The other option is to get some squeal stop compound and apply to the back of your current pads. They should have shims, do they?

bwill03z

They do have shims and I cleaned them up like new when I removed everything. I don't know if the lube I used was specifically for squeal or not, I believe it was just standard brake lube but I applied in all the necesary places.

Macleod52

Make sure you get some anti-squeal stuff to put on the back side of the pads as well.

Gordy M

Any of the performance pads will squeal to some degree, the ceramic pads will give you a quieter ride you are looking for. For 95% of your driving, you will not notice any difference but in hard breaking they will not stop as fast. If you are going to replace your pads, then it is a good time to replace your brake fluid. As it ages it pics up moisture and gives you a less responsive pedal. Being a little ****, I replace mine every year.

Rob 02

I use ceramic on the street and am happy with them. I don't know if I will ever track the car but if I do I will swap to metallic.

It's just a preference.

bwill03z

Good idea on the fluid. I've used several different performance pads in the past that were all ceramic and never had any noise from them. I'm not sure what compound my current pads are but I would bet they are not ceramics because they are way too noisy. A little noise is to be expected but these cross the line. I will just put the ceramics on with my current rotors and change fluid. I don't do any autox and nothing overly aggressive on the street.

3sACROWD

If your rotors are glazed, they will tend to make noise and should be resurfaced. If not, have you tried several aggressive stops? Your brakes may not have been properly bedded in.

Usually 3 agressive stops from 45MPH to 10 MPH followed by continuous driving for 10 - 15 minutes to allow for cooling and warpage prevention will bed the brakes. Worth a shot.

bwill03z

Have not tried the aggressive stops but I will do that before swapping anything. I know I never bedded them in properly and I highly doubt the dealership did either

Rob 02

If any air is in the line or ABS you could get unequal braking.
I'm not sure that is the case though.

huesmann

Actually, many performance (race) pads actually require heat to stop quickly. If you're just driving on the street, you may not get them heated up enough for peak braking power anyway.

If your rotors are glazed do not get them resurfaced (turned). Just take a sanding disc to each side. Then try bedding them.

Greg_E

I usually just take a piece of emery cloth and scuff up the rotors, then use brake cleaner to wash away any of abrasive particles, and then do the bedding procedure. I haven't done the vette brakes lately but I did do my truck and my wifes car. No squeal. When breaking in the new pads you do not want to come to a full stop with the brakes applied or you can imprint the pad onto the rotor.

FASTFATBOY

Pull the pads off, put high temp anit-sieze on the pad wherever the backing plate touches, you'll never hear them again unless you track the car and melt it off.

bwill03z

Here's a pic of my rotors, you may not be able to tell much but to me they see to be in good shape.

Greg_E

If the brake pedal isn't pulsing (warped rotor) and there is no uneven wear on the rotors, I would just scuff them up. They look OK to me.