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2023 stingray w/Z51, under moderate braking around 60mphj the brakes seem to pulsate (can feel it in the steering wheel). Almost like anti-lock brakes would feel but much milder. Not stepping on the brakes hard enough to cause the anti-lock to kick in. Any advice would be appreciated.
A brake rotor or more than one is warped. Resurface flat or if too warped replace. Think of the brake pad putting pressure on a warped disc and that is what you are feeling. New pads are generally replaced at the same time too. Mostly confined to just the front rotors and pads.
It could be a warped rotor, or pad transfer build-up on the rotor. If a few fast & hard (I mean it, get aggressive) stops don't cure it, let the dealership handle it under warranty. Performance brakes don't like being babied.
The brakes were fine up until a few days ago when the problem started. The steering wheel should feel the same under braking than it does driving down the highway A few days ago a very noticeable pulsating started only when braking. Even under light breaking so I ruled out the anti-lock brake system.
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Id do the Z51 burnish procedure and then if there is still an issue take it to the dealer. i went through 3 sets of rotors in my C5 under warranty and only solved the problem when i went aftermarket. No problems with my C6 or C7 but drove less miles. I have an unsubstantiated oprinion that driving really hot rotors through a puddle of water may causing warping.
A brake rotor or more than one is warped. Resurface flat or if too warped replace. Think of the brake pad putting pressure on a warped disc and that is what you are feeling. New pads are generally replaced at the same time too. Mostly confined to just the front rotors and pads.
Pretty sure GM says you can't resurface the Z51 rotors.
Pretty sure GM says you can't resurface the Z51 rotors.
Can you recall where? I thought I read that too - but when I checked the Service Manual it looks like it is the rear rotors only that cannot be refinished, and its both the J55 (Z71) and the JL9 - non-Z Stingray. I also found it mentioned in a tech-link article, and it referred only to the J55 rear rotors - with no mention of the JL9 rotors.
The brakes were fine up until a few days ago when the problem started. The steering wheel should feel the same under braking than it does driving down the highway A few days ago a very noticeable pulsating started only when braking. Even under light breaking so I ruled out the anti-lock brake system.
Yep, should stop under modest pressure without pulsing or pulling. I can stop with no hands on the wheel, and it stopes fine.
With my 2014 Z51 started squealing with light pressure when going very slow. Used 4 or 5 stop cycles as the Owner's Manual refers to a burnishing only for Tracking. It's what most call bedding. DON"T use the ~25 aggressive stops recommend in the Owner's Manul for Tracking! 4 to 6 should be sufficient to get the residual brake pad material on the rotor uniform.
Have not had the issue with my Grand Sport or C8 Z51 as changed to low dust pads week one! Never have had any issues with those.
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One other pulsing issue I had after I built my Street Rod. It has disk brakes on all 4 corners with the front being early Camaro rotors. Not very robust. It was pulsing stopping with little pressure. I retorqued the front wheels in 4-steps increasing load carefully alternating each side. Pulsing stopped.
If no one has touched your front wheels probably not the issue. BUT if a dealer removed one wheel and used an air wrench to achieve 140 ft-lbs they could have used a lot more and not done in steps alternating sides. Easy to retorque the front wheels.
Can you recall where? I thought I read that too - but when I checked the Service Manual it looks like it is the rear rotors only that cannot be refinished, and its both the J55 (Z71) and the JL9 - non-Z Stingray. I also found it mentioned in a tech-link article, and it referred only to the J55 rear rotors - with no mention of the JL9 rotors.
I searched, but couldn't find the source. But I don't remember it well enough to state for sure it was all 4. It may well have been only the rears.
Modern rotors seldom warp, but they are subject to uneven pad deposit buildup. As mentioned above 5-6 aggressive brake applications and then 10 minutes of cooldown generally solves the pulsing brake pedal issue.
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Brake problem
