C8 squealing Brakes
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10,709
Likes: 7,099
From: Fulshear, TX
Go out and do a few repeated high-speed aggressive stops to get some heat into them and see if that quiets them down. Sometimes that is all performance pads need. The factory Z51 pads do not like being babied.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 363
Likes: 199
From: San Diego, CA
Do some hard braking and that'll help it go away. The manual mentions this as well. If you have the Z51 package, you have performance brakes which periodically require hard braking. I believe it's called bedding in the brakes or burnishing.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 3
Likes: 8
From: Bell County Texas
I have done the hard braking several times, tried brake quiet, had the dealership to check it out and they replaced pads free of charge at 5000 miles but it started back worst after having it 2 weeks later. I do drive her almost everyday, thinking about trying ceramic brakes next, any suggestions? She is a Base Model.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 4,079
Likes: 2,413
From: Florida
I have done the hard braking several times, tried brake quiet, had the dealership to check it out and they replaced pads free of charge at 5000 miles but it started back worst after having it 2 weeks later. I do drive her almost everyday, thinking about trying ceramic brakes next, any suggestions? She is a Base Model.
Post 4.
Power stop z26. They're silent, produce less dust than even the carbotechs and they can withstand a decent amount of heat too.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,234
Likes: 8,376
I have done the hard braking several times, tried brake quiet, had the dealership to check it out and they replaced pads free of charge at 5000 miles but it started back worst after having it 2 weeks later. I do drive her almost everyday, thinking about trying ceramic brakes next, any suggestions? She is a Base Model.
The manual says some" driving conditions or climates can cause a brake squeal when the brakes are first applied, clearing up following several applies." It says nothing about needing to do hard braking. It does state that "anti-squeal paste is applied from the factory and will dissipate over time. To help reduce squeal, the brake pads are treated with an anti-squeal paste that may need to be reapplied periodically as part of normal vehicle maintenance. The anti-squeal paste will dissipate over time. Also, the use of wheel cleaners or power washers directly on the brake calipers may remove the anti-squeal paste from the brake pads. It may be necessary to reapply the anti-squeal paste if it is removed during cleaning. If brake squeal is excessive, the anti-squeal paste should be reapplied."
The brake burnish procedure is not recommended for the non-Z51 car which you have.
For the Z51 a burnish procedure is recommended in preparation for track events or competitive driving, or for corrosion clean-up if the car sits for an extended period of time, especially in a high humidity environment. I see nothing in the manual about a periodic burnishing procedure being necessary.
It sounds like you have tried the right remedies. I don't have a solution, but you should not have to get different brake pads. There are very few reports of excessive brake squealing for the C8.
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 28
Likes: 28
I have the same issue with my z51 brakes.
Sometimes they are perfectly quiet, other times at parking speeds they squeak very loudly.
They quiet down for a few days after several very hard stops, but the squeaking keeps coming back.
I purchased a set of Power Stop rotors and their z26 pads, and will probably put them on this weekend.
Sometimes they are perfectly quiet, other times at parking speeds they squeak very loudly.
They quiet down for a few days after several very hard stops, but the squeaking keeps coming back.
I purchased a set of Power Stop rotors and their z26 pads, and will probably put them on this weekend.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 7,837
Likes: 107
From: Huntington Beach California
I figured I my as well add my comment to the postings. 2021 Z51 package no noise. Stock pads, 2022 Z51 noise. Bought new pads just haven't installed them yet. Past, everything dealer has tried doesn't work or minimal improvement for short period with paste.. Burnishing minimal for short period even though not called for. Maybe because they are still hot. Again 2021 no problem. I'm changing them to Carbo Tech [size=13px]Ceramics eventually. [/size]. I have replaced stock pads on Z0 6 because of dusting. (2) No noise. Last week I replaced the pads on my S 63 Mercedes with Ceramics for dusting reasons. Minimal dust, no noise. IMHO, I'll stay with the ceramics. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 827
Likes: 522
From: Colorado Springs
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,060
Likes: 1,165
From: N. Alabama
I had great success on my ZR1 by applying 3M caliper grease with "copper". I will never service pads without it again. It is more durable on the pad at extreme temperatures. Also, the shape of pads, such as beveled edges instead of straight cut is supposed to help according to another poster on the forum.