I did, no squeal and no dust. 
Brake squeal z51
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Port Crane N.Y.
Brake squeal z51
my first time on this site. Does anyone out there have experience with annoying brake squeal with Z51 susp drilled brake rotor pkg. Will ceramic pads correct this condition? Did not have problem on my 2005 with std brakes, my 2009 with Z51 brakes squeal all the time. Dealer handed me a printout from GM saying normal. Is there a fix?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 914
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Georgia
Clean
Give them a good cleaning with a water hose...this will wash all the excess dust from around the calipers that builds up...should stop it for awhile, do it again later..when you wash it each time is good..
Track Junky
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,075
Likes: 36
From: Orlando Area
Tech Contributor
Z51 brake squeal is reported by many, seems to be unavoidable with the stock brakes. Sounds like there are a few methods to reduce or temporarily stop the noise, but it's bound to come back. I even took everything apart and applied Brake Quiet with no success.
I have noticed that after returning to my stock pads from Carbotech track pads (after a track event), the noise is almost completely gone. Not sure why that happened, but I'll take it!
I have noticed that after returning to my stock pads from Carbotech track pads (after a track event), the noise is almost completely gone. Not sure why that happened, but I'll take it!
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 50,281
Likes: 518
From: Cleveland OH
St. Jude Donor '11,'13
The Carbotech 1521 compound has seem to be a very popaler fix for this.
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, and has won multiple SCCA Solo 2 and Prosolo National Championships. 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. Bobcat 1521™ compound has also been found to extend the life of your rotors 2-3 times. That’s one of the beauties of Carbotech Ceramic brake compounds. Bobcat 1521™ is NOT recommended for any track use.
F $144 R $124 less 7% forum discount.
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, and has won multiple SCCA Solo 2 and Prosolo National Championships. 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. Bobcat 1521™ compound has also been found to extend the life of your rotors 2-3 times. That’s one of the beauties of Carbotech Ceramic brake compounds. Bobcat 1521™ is NOT recommended for any track use.
F $144 R $124 less 7% forum discount.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,022
Likes: 2,715
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
There are several things that usually help, but nothing that guarantees quiet brakes.
My Z51 brakes squeal occasionally, i do a couple of 60-10 hard decels but not into the ABS, drive for a while to let the brakes cool, and they are quiet for a few weeks/months. YMMV.
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
Stock pads squeal, very common.
Ceramic pads will cure it in my and many others experience. Plus no more brake dust. I've had my Advance Auto Parts store brand ceramics (cheap) on for 50000 miles now and still going strong.
Just don't try to do a road course with them. They will chunk and potentially fail. Great for street or drag racing use though.
Ceramic pads will cure it in my and many others experience. Plus no more brake dust. I've had my Advance Auto Parts store brand ceramics (cheap) on for 50000 miles now and still going strong.
Just don't try to do a road course with them. They will chunk and potentially fail. Great for street or drag racing use though.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 6
From: Waynesville NC
This must work because mine have never squealed in 33,000 miles and I always rinse (strong water stream) my brake rotors and calipers at every wash...
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
I just replaced mine with new OEM rotors and new ceramics all the way around. My left front started squealing following the replacement. So very annoying but only the one brake is doing it. I pulled it apart and went over it carefully and found nothing. Still squealed. Apart again, sanded the inside edges of both pads, back together, no squeal...so far.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,790
Likes: 29
From: STL MO
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
This is a very interesting topic, I have had my car for about 2 1/2 years now (2006 M6 Z51) and have never had any brake noise. It is my DD that has around 46,000 miles now, my friend Bruce has a 06 or 07 Z51 Vert and he is constantly fighting brake noise?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
05 pads were even more aggressive, they backed off the compound in the 06+ years due to customer complaints. There were TSB's about the 05's if I recall.
I put on ceramics a month into the ownership of the car and haven't looked back (or heard my brakes make any noise).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,493
Likes: 809
From: West coast CA
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,790
Likes: 29
From: STL MO
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
I'd bet your previous owner swapped pads. Do you have horrible brake dust? If not, you've got ceramic pads. The stock pads dust like crazy.
05 pads were even more aggressive, they backed off the compound in the 06+ years due to customer complaints. There were TSB's about the 05's if I recall.
I put on ceramics a month into the ownership of the car and haven't looked back (or heard my brakes make any noise).
05 pads were even more aggressive, they backed off the compound in the 06+ years due to customer complaints. There were TSB's about the 05's if I recall.
I put on ceramics a month into the ownership of the car and haven't looked back (or heard my brakes make any noise).
I already purchased the GM ceramic replacement pads, just waiting for the stockers to finish out their life.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 46
From: va
They dust like crazy! I am finally down to about 20% left regarding pad life, only thing holding me back is whether I'm going to turn my original rotors, buy new GM pieces or go for an affordable after market set of rotors...
I already purchased the GM ceramic replacement pads, just waiting for the stockers to finish out their life.
I already purchased the GM ceramic replacement pads, just waiting for the stockers to finish out their life.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
They dust like crazy! I am finally down to about 20% left regarding pad life, only thing holding me back is whether I'm going to turn my original rotors, buy new GM pieces or go for an affordable after market set of rotors...
I already purchased the GM ceramic replacement pads, just waiting for the stockers to finish out their life.
I already purchased the GM ceramic replacement pads, just waiting for the stockers to finish out their life.
I did a write up and someone posted pictures on how to swap pads using the two screwdriver trick in case you don't know it.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,790
Likes: 29
From: STL MO
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
Thanks, I will take a look!
I was looking over the rotors pretty closely this past Sunday while giving the car a bath, no cracks. Put a good beaten on them the Sunday before that, have you had a chance to cruise the back roads of MO around the wineries Joe? We had almost 30 miles of no traffic in front of us at one point and we pushed the cars pretty hard.
What a blast!
If your rotors aren't cracked, you can just replace your pads and use your existing rotors. Nobody turns rotors anymore. 1 bolt and 5 minutes per brake using the two screwdriver trick. Takes longer to remove the wheel than swap the pads.
I did a write up and someone posted pictures on how to swap pads using the two screwdriver trick in case you don't know it.
I did a write up and someone posted pictures on how to swap pads using the two screwdriver trick in case you don't know it.
What a blast!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
Thanks, I will take a look!
I was looking over the rotors pretty closely this past Sunday while giving the car a bath, no cracks. Put a good beaten on them the Sunday before that, have you had a chance to cruise the back roads of MO around the wineries Joe? We had almost 30 miles of no traffic in front of us at one point and we pushed the cars pretty hard.
What a blast!
I was looking over the rotors pretty closely this past Sunday while giving the car a bath, no cracks. Put a good beaten on them the Sunday before that, have you had a chance to cruise the back roads of MO around the wineries Joe? We had almost 30 miles of no traffic in front of us at one point and we pushed the cars pretty hard.
What a blast!
I've got more miles on Highway 100 than I care to count. My grandpa used to have a house in Hermann growing up so I know the area really well. When I come to town I like to ride up to Hermann on my buddy's Harley (he has two and lends me one), or head out to Marthasville and up 47 to Augusta, etc. Great roads.
We don't have any roads like that in FL for sure.
But we do have three road courses and drag strips within 150 miles from my house so I'm happy with that! Always a trade off.I predict you'll love the ceramic pads. I love no dust and I can still activate the antilock so they stop well...they do take more pedal pressure but I'm fully capable of pushing the brake pedal.