Brake squeal just won't go away!

[loverboy]

I have had break squeal since i purchased my car. Since then i have replaced the OEM rotors to new ones (4). I changed the pads (4) and still had noise. After that i got anoyed and purchased bear cross drilled and sloted rotors front and back and left the OEM pads on. The squeal still was there. The noise was less then before and sounded like it was coming from the back. So then I installed ceramic pads all the way around and the noise was gone. BUT 2000km later the noise is back now not as bad but it fads in when slowing down and goes away when close to a complete stop. The squeal in not a high pitch noise like it was before but still loud enough to here and **** me off. It still sounds like the back.
Just wanted to know if it could be a caliper problem or do i just have no luck. If anyone has any ideas on how to get rid of this problem I would PLEASE like some advice.

 

[Bob_K]

Is the squeal when you are applying your brakes or when you're not? Almost sounds to me like it's happening when you're not even braking. If that is the case, you have the same problem my '01 Jimmy had. Here's how I fixed it:
1) Go to auto parts store and buy brake cleaner and a product called "Disc Brake Quiet" by Permatex
2) Clean everything well with the brake cleaner
3) Follow the directions for the Disc Brake Quiet (basically apply liberally to back of pad)
4) reassemble

Apparently what happens is that the pad is vibrating at just the right frequency to turn your caliper into a tuning fork. I did this about a year ago and am just now starting to get the problem back. I wish there was a more permanant solution. If someone made some extreme temp felt or other good vibration insulator that would be perfect, but with the incredible temps that pads and rotors get, I don't know of anything that wouldn't burn up. I'll definately be watching this thread to see if anyone else has a better solution.

 

[loverboy]

The break squeal comes when braking. From about 70km to 40km no noise and then from 40km to 10km it squeals and then goes away when getting to a complete stop. These are aproximate numbers.

 

[Bob_K]

This will help, but it's not the answer you're looking for. Downshift and use the engine to slow down. Then to come to a complete stop, leave the car in gear and turn off the engine. The less you use you're brakes the less they will squeal.

Seriously though, if you take them apart and clean everything with brake cleaner it may help. Other than that I'm out of ideas. You seem to have covered everything already.

 

[loverboy]

I was thinking of just not using the brakes. . I guess i will try cleaning the brakes again. Thanx!

 

[DDLS3]

The "brake quiet" does work, I have used on the last several pad changes on several different vehicles. My Grand Cherokee was notorious for squeal and it even cured that one. Some brake manufacturers also include sticky pads to behind the brake pad which does the same thing.

 

[Wisdom]

I've had the same brake squeal since I bought my 2004 Coupe in January. It's almost embarrassing to have this beautiful sports car squeal it's brakes in traffic when everyone is looking at it. I'm not 100% convinced that ceramic brakes would clear the problem because some preople say it will, and others say it won't (everyone has an opinion).

- Wisdom

 

[hwolf@yahoo.com]

I have 2003 coupe....and I had the same problem that you are having.....For about 5 months I kept taking it to the dealer....and they kept saying that it was normal because the semi-metallic pads....and would give me the absurd advise to brake hard everytime......I was about ready to file a Lemon Law against GM to return the car and as a last effort I sent a letter to the Arbitration Board telling them I was ready to file Lemon Law.....A week latter I was contacted by a GM rep who asked me to take it one last time to have it fixed that there would be a GM rep on site to get it resolved....I did and what they did was replace the rear rotors and pads and that was a year ago and it is still OK.....I don't think that all Corvettes have this problem but if you are lucky enough to get one with the problem, GM and the dealers do not seem to know what to do to resolve....My advise....get tough with GM and if they don't fix it just file a Lemon Law to return the car, if your state has one......In Florida, you have to take it 3 times to try have it fixed before you can file............Hope this helps....as this experience was incredibly frustrating for me and detracted from being able to enjoy the car .........Good luck, Henry

 

[Guy]

I had the same problem on one of my 82 Vettes. I replaced the pads with organic ones. I'm not sure if that is a good thing to do on a C5 or not, but it solved my problem.


Guy

 

[theblackvette]

I have brake squeal too!

Yeah i get that too now and then!

I just slam the brakes carefully and it goes away for awhile!