Like many other's, my '05 Z51 squeels like a b*tch on the slowest roll to a stop. I have an appt with the local Chevy dealer tomorrow, who says there are "updated" pads. But the service advisor (kid) didn't know much about them or if I'd be charged. Would these be ceramic pads from GM? And should the dealer replace these under factory warranty or a service bulletin?

 

Can you let me know, I have an appointment on Friday for the same thing.........

 

On the vette video and in the manual it states that with the Z51 package you may get some squealing due to the type of brakes that are put on the suspension package. Question is, how much is some??

 

When I had my 06 Z51 with noisy brakes, the dealer installed ceramics on the front and rears under warranty. The dealer gave up on using the oem part # pad because he indicated that the customers would just be back in 4K miles with the same problem. With that said, many owners have indicated that the dealer will only go back with the oem part # pads. You may be able to negotiate the price difference between oem and ceramic pads. The ceramics will get rid of the noise. Some owners indicate that braking is not as effective with ceramics, but I see no obvious differences during daily driving.

 

The factory position is listed below:


Subject: Front Or Rear Brake Squeal On Slow Stops - keywords disc front groan noise rear squeak stop YB Z51 #PIC3320C - (05/21/2007)



Models: 2005-2006 Chevrolet Corvette




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This PI Supercedes To Advise Of New Brake Pads To Correct Squeal. Please Discard PIC3320B.


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The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

Condition/Concern:
Some customers may comment that when they apply the brakes, the vehicle exhibits a squeal noise. This squeal noise may be heard coming from the front or rear brakes and typically heard during slow stops. Replacing the pads will only correct the concern for a short time until the pads glaze over again. Burnishing the pads will also provide temporary relief. Refer to SI document 707744 for the burnishing procedure. For the 2007 model year Corvette, the brake system (RPO) Z51 was improved to include a High Compression pad material. This new material will prevent brake squeal however increase brake dust. Installing these pads on 2005-2006 Corvettes with and with out (RPO) Z51 can be done as an upgrade to prevent brake squeal. The cost of this upgrade is assumed by the customer not General Motors.Below is the information from bulletin 00-05-22-002I in reference to "Brake Noise".

BRAKE NOISE

Some brake noise is normal and differences in loading, type of driving, or driving style can make a difference in brake wear on the same make and model. Depending on weather conditions, driving patterns and the local environment, brake noise may become more or less apparent. Verify all metal-to-metal contact areas between pads, pad guides, caliper and knuckles are clean and lubricated with a thin layer of high temperature silicone grease. Brake noise is caused by a "slip-stick" vibration of brake components. While intermittent brake noise may be normal, performing 3 - 4 aggressive stops may temporarily reduce or eliminate most brake squeal. If the noise persists, a brake dampening compound may be applied to the back of each pad. This allows parts to slide freely and not vibrate when moving relative to each other. Use Silicone Brake Lubricant, ACDelco P/N 89021537 (Canadian P/N 89021538) or equivalent.

The following noises are characteristics of all braking systems and are unavoidable. They may not indicate improper operation of the brake system.

Squeak / Squeal Noise:

• Occurs with front semi-metallic brake pads at medium speeds when light to medium pressure is applied to the brake pedal.


• Occasionally a noise may occur on rear brakes during the first few stops or with cold brakes and/or high humidity.


Grinding Noise:

• Common to rear brakes and some front disc brakes during initial stops after the vehicle has been parked overnight.


• Caused by corrosion on the metal surfaces during vehicle non-use. Usually disappears after a few stops.


Groan Noise:

A groan type noise may be heard when stopping quickly or moving forward slowly from a complete stop. This is normal. On vehicles equipped with ABS, a groan or moan type noise during hard braking applications or loose gravel, wet or icy road conditions is a normal function of the ABS activation.

Recommendation/Instructions:
To correct brake squeal on 2005-2006 Corvettes, replace the brake pads with the part numbers below. When customers upgrade to this newer pad, they must be installed in complete front and rear sets. They should not be mixed with the older style pads. Please note the trade-offs below when upgrading to these pads on 2005-2006 Corvettes. Again, this is considered an upgrade and the cost is assumed by the customer not General Motors.

19152862 Front Pads

89026853 Rear Pads

Note: When these pads are installed on 2005-2006 Corvettes not equipped with (RPO) Z51 brakes system, the brake will be more aggressive and will create more brake dust. On Corvettes equipped with the (RPO) Z51 brake system, they will increase brake dust only.
Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.

 

In normal ppls terms, stop ***** footing when you brake. Get on the brake peddle HARD.

You have a performance car with performance brakes, don't brake like it is a caddy. Get on them and the squeal will go away.

 

I don't know if you slam on the brakes every time during stop & go traffic, or when rolling up to a stop sign or a light, but I suspect you wear a neck brace and the dash is covered in coffee . We're talking normal street driving here, not Watkins Glen. This is my 8th vette, from big blocks, LT-1's, etc. and it's a common problem with any vehicle with disc brakes. I just want to know how GM deals with it.

 

When you go to a softer brake pad compound or a ceramic brake pad material you do loose braking ability. Yes it will not squeak as much, but also it will take little longer to stop your car, and much longer in emergency stops.

Are the trade offs worth it?

 

The Z51 pads squeel from dust. You can go to ceramic pads on your dime but you sacarifice stopping power for "No Squeel". If it bothers her, tell her to pump the brakes. It goes away.

 

No squeel here on my 06 Z 51 brakes, but lots and lots of brake dust to clean from wheels!

 

Nothing but dust on an '07 Z51. With that much dust, how many miles are stock Z51 pads lasting?

 

The dealer told me that there were two options:
1) Apply anti-squeel to the pads (front & rear). AKA - "the red stuff"
2) Order GM's replacement pads that were available in '06? for about $350 (just the pads!), that would be softer and wear quicker (with more brake dust possible).

I picked #1. The anti-squeel helped quite a bit, from what I could tell on the ride home. Just a little now and then. Sure there's some "red goo" visible on the outside of the pads. But I'm going to paint the calipers red to match the car this weekend anyway!

The other plus side to #1 was it was NO CHARGE - Covered under the factory warranty. It's "Fail Code: 01R00" and there is a TSB on this problem. And best of all - MY ROCKER PANELS WERE NOT DAMAGED!

 

same problem here

 

Installed Hawk HPS pads myself. I must be one of a few exceptions, but I don't have any noise and only a very light dusting of brake dust that I clean off once a week.

Z-51 rotors.

 

Although the above statement sounds a bit extreme because Tom may be over emphasizing, . You purchased a performance car. If you drive it like a Camry, it will squeal. The brakes are made for performance driving. For every one of you that complains about dusting or squealing from being too gentle on the brakes there are just as many complaining that the brakes are not aggressive enough because they just drive different than you. There's nothing wrong with you if you prefer to baby your garage queen. It's just a choice made by GM to satisfy the most customers at once as possible. If it drives you crazy, pop for a new set of pads from Autozone and save the old ones for when you're ready to sell it, trade it or drive it. You can change them out yourself on all four wheels in about an hour if you have a floor jack.

 

Exactly!I did that with my 05 at 500 miles at haven't heard more than an occasional peep ever since.GM WILL NOT WARRANTY THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY KNOW IT'S A BIG BUCK FIX because of the sheer #'s of pads that need to be replaced.

 

what dealer told you that

 

Can you be more specific on the pads (model, part no., etc.) you installed and where you got them? plus are they ceramic?

 

I feel the urge to chime in here. I've been dealing with the squealing on my 2006 C6 (w/z51) since I spent the $55K to purchase it last April. For $55K, I would expect brakes to not squeal.

And yes, I know I can brake harder and the squeal will go away, but when you're in traffic or a local road, driving 30 miles per hour, there isn't too much hard braking you can do.

In any case, I finally got ticked off enough to call GM and complain. I talked to a real live person who opened up a case for me with GM. I found out that the original bulletin (document id #1682443) has been superseded by bulletin #2010516 which basically says what other people in this thread (and others) have stated: an "upgraded" pad is available, but at a cost to the consumer. Since, technically, there is nothing wrong with the brake pads (they *do* stop the car) and they *are* performing properly, GM will not pay for the upgrade.

My question to GM was... if you're offering this brake pad as an upgrade which will reduce/eliminate the squealing (and I have yet to find out what their composition is or what the part #s are because I can't find bulletin 2010516), why aren't you just making them standard equipment on the car? We're talking a very small percentage of $$$ compared to the cost of the vehicle. It's not like you're putting $700 brake pads on a Yugo (wouldn't THAT be something?!!).

The lady didn't have an answer for me on that one, but my case is still open (and I intend on following up).

My service manager just returned my call and told me the upgraded pads cost $360 for front and $300 for rear ($660 + tax + whatever supplies they need). Since he mentioned that these new pads will cause an increase in brake dust, I'm assuming they are not ceramic.

In any case, I told him to order them. I'll just have to deal with the cost.

Marc

 

Autozone. Ceramic. $75 for fronts. Don't need rears. 20 minutes of your time. Problem solved.

People who drive a little more aggressively don't WANT the "upgraded" pads. They don't stop as well. Why did you buy a Z51? The base suspension comes with the "non-squealing pads".