Brake Problems
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 37
Likes: 14
From: Windsor Colorado
Brake Problems
I have a 2018 GS and I seem to have a potential braking issue. The car stops just fine but I feel this pulsing on the pedal almost as if the rotor is warped somewhat. The car has about 12k miles on it and it has never been tracked, raced or abused in any way. I also do NOT ride the brake.
Anyone else having this problem? I plan on taking it to a dealer soon. Thanks for any information..
Anyone else having this problem? I plan on taking it to a dealer soon. Thanks for any information..
Pro
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 514
Likes: 203
From: San Diego
Pulsing in the pedal could be caused by uneven coating of the brake pad material on the rotor. Don't know what would have caused this issue; have you sprayed any cleaning materials on your wheels that could have gotten on the rotors? The rotors can be cleaned with a wire brush and then "bed" the brakes with a series of moderate speed hard braking to transfer pad material to the rotor. Suggest you do a search for brake bedding.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4,303
Likes: 2,055
From: Margate, FL
Ummm no its totally possible and actually very likely. I too would try re-bedding the pads. Warpped rotors are a pretty rare condition and pad build up is often the real cause.
Read this: https://alconkits.com/support/brake-...d-brake-rotors
Read this: https://alconkits.com/support/brake-...d-brake-rotors
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 37
Likes: 14
From: Windsor Colorado
Obe1
Thanks for the heads up. Yes, I was spraying a liquid wash/wax on the wheels and I bet I got too much on the rotors.
I will look into re-bedding of disc brakes.
Thank you so much.
Thanks for the heads up. Yes, I was spraying a liquid wash/wax on the wheels and I bet I got too much on the rotors.
I will look into re-bedding of disc brakes.
Thank you so much.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,037
Likes: 9,801
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Ummm no its totally possible and actually very likely. I too would try re-bedding the pads. Warpped rotors are a pretty rare condition and pad build up is often the real cause.
Read this: https://alconkits.com/support/brake-...d-brake-rotors
Read this: https://alconkits.com/support/brake-...d-brake-rotors
https://centricparts.com/getmedia/bd...c-8-2018_1.pdf
https://centricparts.com/getmedia/a0...l-8-2018_1.pdf
Bill
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4,303
Likes: 2,055
From: Margate, FL
Just a note for others regarding possible rotor problems is the original Z51 brakes used a wanna-be two-piece design that resulted in a TSB due to pulsation problems: https://www.corvetteactioncenter.com...pply-1270.html Mine lasted 3 track days before the vibrations were unbearable. So I fitted aftermarket rotors which have survived 5 track days and are still going with no complaints.
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Drifting
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 1,811
Likes: 615
From: Blacksburg Va
You can also get a pulsation from rust buildup. The problem is that it doesn't build up under the pads. So you have rust on 3/4 of the rotor and 1/4 is clean. This is more common in cars that sit outside and don't get driven every day. But it could happen in high humidity, or getting caught in the rain and parking it in the garage for a week after getting home. When I have had this happen in the past, I drive for a while and try to use extremely light brake applications to clean off the rust.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,004
Likes: 2,704
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
We've had rotors sanded, and cut, and replaced on our C5/C6/C7 (all Z51). Those methods only work for a few thousand miles, the solution is to occasionally abuse the brakes, or re-do the bedding procedure in the manual, or get in the habit of waiting a little longer (nothing dangerous) before applying the brakes for stop signs, lights, etc.
For us, those work 100%.
For us, those work 100%.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 323
Likes: 114
From: Prescott Valley AZ
All four of my rotors were warped from day one. Car had less than 30 miles on it but apparently Mario Andrade may have taken it out for a test run. After putting up with the pulsating I finally took it in and had all four rotors and pads replaced. Smooth as a babies but on stopping and no pulsating. Performed under warranty, now if Chevrolet would honor the wheels.
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Instructor
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 143
Likes: 75
From: Tolland, Connecticut
I also get light pulsing on my 2015 Z-51. It does this on light braking. And 90% of the time if I let up on the brakes and reapply, it goes away completely. Did this since I bought the car last year with 11K and stock pads. Now with PowerStop Extreme pads and 20K, same exact condition.
Not thinking warped rotors. Am thinking uneven pad deposition on rotor from light , cold usage. Probably need to jump on the brakes here and there.
Not thinking warped rotors. Am thinking uneven pad deposition on rotor from light , cold usage. Probably need to jump on the brakes here and there.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 326
Likes: 23
From: Ohio
My 2016 Z 51 developed the pulsating brake problem at around 9,000 miles. It became so bad it was dangerous. After hearing about the problem of GM using cheap rotors from other Corvette owners I just replaced them rather than trying fix the problem.