C6 Z51 Brakes Squealing
10-10-2014, 07:38 PM
#1
Pro
Thread Starter
C6 Z51 Brakes Squealing
Hi guys,
I recently swapped to the C6 Z51 brakes on my 2003 z06.
I'm using new DBA slotted rotors and Hawk Ceramic pads installed by Rio Vista Chevrolet. I did follow the bedding procedure recommended by Hawk.
From the get go, the brakes squeal like a pig under moderate braking from about 40mph to 0mph. It doesn’t make any noise at light braking nor heavy braking and never above 40mph.
I had another shop remove the brakes, lube up the pins, and use “break-quiet” on the back of the pads. Didn’t help.
With parts, installation, and two shops looking at it, I now have nearly $2,000 into these brakes and am not happy. You can imagine my level of frustration.
I read that GM is giving people the run around with garbage like, “it’s a performance car so it’s expected”
Bottom line, it’s embarrassing and I have to do something about it. To my horror, I did a search and found hundreds of posts on various forums with people complaining about their Z51 brake squeal with no conclusive fix. Has anyone been successful in curing this? Are there any particular pads that will help (I thought these ceramics were supposed to be a sure fire way to quiet these things down).
Thanks guys.
I recently swapped to the C6 Z51 brakes on my 2003 z06.
I'm using new DBA slotted rotors and Hawk Ceramic pads installed by Rio Vista Chevrolet. I did follow the bedding procedure recommended by Hawk.
From the get go, the brakes squeal like a pig under moderate braking from about 40mph to 0mph. It doesn’t make any noise at light braking nor heavy braking and never above 40mph.
I had another shop remove the brakes, lube up the pins, and use “break-quiet” on the back of the pads. Didn’t help.
With parts, installation, and two shops looking at it, I now have nearly $2,000 into these brakes and am not happy. You can imagine my level of frustration.
I read that GM is giving people the run around with garbage like, “it’s a performance car so it’s expected”
Bottom line, it’s embarrassing and I have to do something about it. To my horror, I did a search and found hundreds of posts on various forums with people complaining about their Z51 brake squeal with no conclusive fix. Has anyone been successful in curing this? Are there any particular pads that will help (I thought these ceramics were supposed to be a sure fire way to quiet these things down).
Thanks guys.
Last edited by luke87gt; 10-10-2014 at 07:41 PM.
10-10-2014, 08:17 PM
#2
Racer
When I bought my low mileage 2008 with the Z51 package my brakes made a lot of squealing noise. Now that the car is driven 4+ times a week I do not hear any noise on stock pads, and both the front and rear have been replaced because of the roughly 800 track miles run this year. My guess the pads aren't bedded in because your not you using them hard enough. Just a crazy thought but once I started track driving this car all of the brake noise went away.
Also, my brake rotors are no longer smooth, they are very tear dropped behind the cross drilled holes, this may have reduced the squealing.
Also, my brake rotors are no longer smooth, they are very tear dropped behind the cross drilled holes, this may have reduced the squealing.
Last edited by Suds; 10-10-2014 at 08:24 PM.
10-10-2014, 08:25 PM
#3
Race Director
What part of your setup is C6 Z51? The calipers? I switched mine to AC Delco ceramics 2 years ago for $50 total and they have been silent since then.
10-10-2014, 08:42 PM
#5
Team Owner
If you were to search deeper you would find a lot of people here have complained about the Hawk pads.
There are a number of ceramic choices that seem to work better in terms of noise, like the Delco ceramic, Centric Posiquiet ceramic (both relatively inexpensive) and the expensive Carbotech Bobcat 1521's. There are others but you get the idea.
There are a number of ceramic choices that seem to work better in terms of noise, like the Delco ceramic, Centric Posiquiet ceramic (both relatively inexpensive) and the expensive Carbotech Bobcat 1521's. There are others but you get the idea.
10-10-2014, 08:47 PM
#6
Pro
Thread Starter
The rest of the stuff (calipers and pads) are the same between c6 z51 and c5z06
10-10-2014, 08:48 PM
#7
Pro
Thread Starter
If you were to search deeper you would find a lot of people here have complained about the Hawk pads.
There are a number of ceramic choices that seem to work better in terms of noise, like the Delco ceramic, Centric Posiquiet ceramic (both relatively inexpensive) and the expensive Carbotech Bobcat 1521's. There are others but you get the idea.
There are a number of ceramic choices that seem to work better in terms of noise, like the Delco ceramic, Centric Posiquiet ceramic (both relatively inexpensive) and the expensive Carbotech Bobcat 1521's. There are others but you get the idea.
Been reading recommendations for the Akebono ceramics however. Found several posts of guys that couldn't solve their problem until getting the Akebonos:
ACT731
ACT732
Will give them a shot!
And if anyone wants some near new Hawk Ceramics, PM me (less than a 1000 miles)
Last edited by luke87gt; 10-10-2014 at 09:42 PM.
10-10-2014, 09:12 PM
#9
Racer
10-10-2014, 10:57 PM
#10
Melting Slicks
I've been running stock OEM Z51 pads and rotors since day 1 on my '07, currently on my second set of rotors. Never had a squeal, not even a peep. My car is subjected to heavy stop and go during the week, and some fairly aggressive, though far short of track duty, weekend driving. I have no complaints, though I really don't care about brake dust, it washes off easy enough.
10-10-2014, 11:16 PM
#11
Race Director
10-11-2014, 10:41 AM
#12
Supporting Vendor
Member Since: Oct 2002
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St. Jude Donor '11,'13
Carbotech™ Bobcat 1521™ The Carbotech Bobcat 1521™ is our high performance street compound that is our most successful compound. The Bobcat compound is known for its awesome release and modulation, along with unmatched rotor friendliness. Like our AX™ & XP™ line of compounds, Bobcat 1521™ is a Ceramic based friction material offering minimal rotor damage and non-corrosive dust. Bobcat 1521™ offers outstanding performance, even when cold, low dusting and low noise with an excellent initial bite. This compound’s virtually perfect linear torque production provides incredible braking force without ABS intervention. Bobcat 1521™ operating range starts out at ambient and goes up to 900°F. Bobcat 1521™ is suitable for ALL street cars, perfect for your tow vehicle, police cruiser. The Bobcat 1521™ compound has been found to last two-three times longer than OE pads you can purchase at a dealership or national retailer. That’s one of the beauties of Carbotech Ceramic brake compounds. Bobcat 1521™ is NOT recommended for any track use.
10-11-2014, 11:08 AM
#13
Race Car Tech
I changed my pads to GM ceramics, bedded them, but made sure I used lot's of silicone grease on the backside of the pads where they contact the calipers.
They do not make any sound, at any speed.
They do not make any sound, at any speed.
10-11-2014, 11:13 AM
#14
Pro
Thread Starter