2002 Z06 Brake Squeal/Rotor Rust

[Liquid]

Hi:

First time poster. Just got our first Corvette, 2002-Z06. Car was on lot approx 6 months before we bought this spring with 10,500 on the odometer. Have driven it for @500 miles since then with no problems until now.

Brakes are squealing as I slow down. Sounds to me like the sensors in the pads. Dealer swears the brakes cannot be down that far this fast. It is going back for them to check, but I want to know if anyone has any experience with the film of rust that develops on rotors over the winter with no driving. I would have thought that in 500 miles it would be gone (its not). Also, I would have figured that if I was going to hear anything it would have been immediate not starting only the past 25 miles or so?

Thanks.

 

[Liquid]

Follow-up

Since I am on the subject. What is the best way to prepare the rotors for winter storage so the rust wont happen at all (or is it something that shouldnt be worried about). I would think a film of oil would do the trick (like for gun storage) but I dont believe it would be recommended for a brake assembly designed to stop a car.

Any ideas?

 

[jrose7004]

Just drive it a coupe of miles and the rust is gone!

 

[Craig-o]

Do the brakes squeel only when you apply the brakes, or all the time? If they are squeeling all the time, that is usually the metal tab that tells you it's time to replace the pads; if only when they are applied, it's more likely an unpredictable but easy fix. The stock pads have a vibration dampening adhesive-backed shim attached to the pad, between the pad and caliper/piston. I've had them come off, or get moved around enough such that the caliper is in direct contact with the pad, which causes the squeel. Usually a generous application of a product called "Disk Brake Quiet" - a red goo a bit more viscous than Elmer's glue - will do the trick. The pads have to be removed from the caliper for this to work correctly.

I'd be really surprised if the pads need replacing at such low mileage. If they do, make sure the calipers are inspected to be sure the pistons and slides aren't binding, because that's the moist likely cause of early wear.

As for rust after storage - don't put oil on them. Not a good idea for the pads. Usually these will rust over very quickly. Here in Central/Northern CA, our humidity is usually very low. But when I wash my car, these things rust over in a matter of minutes. However, a drive around the block - yes, just the block - will clear them of the oxidation. If you've driven 500 miles, that should easily have taken care of it, but only a little moisture will cause a new layer of rust. So before you conclude that there's a problem, next time you're out, look at the rotors immediately after you drive, and see what's there.

Good luck.

Craig

 

[1stiff84]

Factory Z06 pads will sometimes squeal with light brake pedal pressure stops. This is "normal."

As jrose said, rust on the disc plate will disappear after a short drive and a couple of stops.

 

[Edmond]

I'm curious, how much does a set of front pads for you guys usually run?

 

[Craig-o]

Last time I did them (maybe 6 months ago?) I paid $65 for a set of AC/Delco "Dura Stop" pads - supposedly an upgrade from original - from the dealer.

Craig

 

[MsSchroder]

Liquid,

First, welcome to the CAC and congratulations on a fine machine in a fine color

You have rust that hasn't gone away after 500 miles? Something doesn't seem right there. Where is it on the rotors? all over? or towards the center where it is attached to the wheel?

And you have sqeaking that only started during the last 25 miles?

I get occasional minor squeaking when the brake dust has accumuluated for a few weeks and I haven't washed the wheels off. If it is persistent and doesn't go away even if there is no brake dust on the wheels, you may be dealing with more than just brake dust squeak.

I would echo what everyone else says, the rust should disappear after just a few minutes of driving/light braking.

As for the pads, it does seem unusual that the pads are gone after only 10k miles. If it has been raced, then that would be believable. I've got almost 16k on the original set, but no racing.

Hopefully you have a dealer who has a certified Corvette mechanic who knows what he is doing. If so, I would recommend having him take a look.

Tammy

 

[Liquid]

Craig:

I think you're right. I didnt realize how fast the rotors have cleaned up. They have been seeing a lot of water lately (I've washed this car more in a month than my truck in 5 years). It rusts over so fast that I dont even notice that it was never there.

The squealing is only during brake pedal pressure, and only when nearing the stop, say from 25 to 0. I dont drive it every day, but took it out tonight on the highway and gave the pads a little rub while maintaining highway speeds. The rotors look immaculate now. It also may have removed any small variations between the pads and the rotors that may have led to the squeal because it was fairly quiet coming home. I purposedly made my dealer appt for a couple weeks out so I can get into my inspection range in PA, (two birds with one stone). I asked these guys to freshen up the inspection, but as usual after less than 3 months it will have expired, oh well. Thanks for the advice and tips for wintering... i.e. leave them alone and the road will take care of it!

 

[MsSchroder]

One more thing to consider as a new owner of a 3 year old vehicle- if you are going to get the GM extended warranty, you should look into that before the current warranty runs out.

But it won't cover brake pads.

 

[Hib Halverson]

It is unlikely the noise you are hearing is the wear indicators. The noise they make is a distinctive screeching-scrape kind of noise, and, you hear it all the time when the car is rolling not just when you apply the brakes or slow down.

Z06es use a special brake pad in the front that is more prone to brake squeal and dust. For those Z06ers, who do not drive the car hard at the limit or don't race, and don't like the noise or the dust, should downgrade to the base C5 front brake pad. It's quieter and cleaner.

Now the rust thing. A light coating of rust after sitting all winter is not going to compromise the brakes reliability or durability. Typically after a few hundred miles and use of the brakes it's all wiped away. If the squeal persists, I'd try working the brakes a little harder than you usually do. Try several hard stops (that is firm application but not to ABS) from 45-50 mph then drive around normally for 10 min. or so to cool the brakes. See if that makes the squeal go away.

DO NOT under any circumstance apply oil to the rotors prior to storage to eliminate rust. This is a safety related issue.

 

[Terry Holtz]

On a related issue...I know oil is not a good idea, but I am about to install some slotted and drilled rotors and I painted the "hats" and outer edges with black engine paint. Some of my friends said to go ahead and paint the entire rotors but I tried to keep the paint off the area the calipers grab.

Still a good bit of paint over sprayed on to those areas... Will this mess up my new ceramic pads that I am about to install also?

 

[Edmond]

No, it shouldn't mess them up. But I would expect some paint smell when the pads do hook up with the paint on the caliper. It should be a burning kind of smell.

 

[wishuwerehere82]

On a related issue...I know oil is not a good idea, but I am about to install some slotted and drilled rotors and I painted the "hats" and outer edges with black engine paint. Some of my friends said to go ahead and paint the entire rotors but I tried to keep the paint off the area the calipers grab.

Still a good bit of paint over sprayed on to those areas... Will this mess up my new ceramic pads that I am about to install also?

Terry,

I just did mine last week the same as you did but in silver to match the body color. I wiped off the pad area with laquer thinner to get the over spray off and left a little on the inside of the pad area. The first time I hit the brakes hard it took the painted area off of the pad area and left the rest just fine. I used Duplicolor engine paint and it seems to take the heat without any problem.

 

[Terry Holtz]

Pete... I think I will try the laquer thinner. Thanks

 

[wishuwerehere82]

It really is a drag how fast these rotors rust up. I've never seen any other car do this as fast as you wash it.
When I was installing my drilled and slotted rotors, I put the rotors in the sink to wash the rust coating off them and they rusted before I could wipe them with a towel.