Brakes Squeal First Several Minutes

[rojo_atlanta]

Hi All,

I'm new to the Corvette Action Center. As long as I've had my '81, I've had a problem with brakes squealing. It only does so for the first several minutes you drive it. After using them a few times, it totally goes away. I've had this baby for five years now, and have replaced pads and installed new calipers.

The mechanic at my local Chevrolet dealer says it's a common problem with C3s and it's because the only pads available aren't manufactured close enough to original spec. I'm honestly not very mechanically-inclined, so I'm at a loss.

Another thread in this forum mentioned organic brake pads, so if that's the solution, I just need to know where to get some. Is my mechanic right? If so, all C3s would squeal like that. This has been so frustrating!

 

[bill81vette]

first,welcome to the corvette action center!!!!!
2nd,nice vette!!!my favorite color,too
3rd,I don't know about anybody else but my vette doest do that,so don't know what to tell you.I'm sure someone else will chime in and take a stab at it!!!!
be sure to check out the l-81 registry and register your vette with it!

 

[Daryllawman]

Hello and welcome to the Corvette Action Center....as for the Brakes making a noise.....None......and I have put a set on not to long ago....Maybe someone will jump in here and help you on that.....

 

[fine69]

Hi All,

I'm new to the Corvette Action Center. As long as I've had my '81, I've had a problem with brakes squealing. It only does so for the first several minutes you drive it. After using them a few times, it totally goes away. I've had this baby for five years now, and have replaced pads and installed new calipers.

The mechanic at my local Chevrolet dealer says it's a common problem with C3s and it's because the only pads available aren't manufactured close enough to original spec. I'm honestly not very mechanically-inclined, so I'm at a loss.

Another thread in this forum mentioned organic brake pads, so if that's the solution, I just need to know where to get some. Is my mechanic right? If so, all C3s would squeal like that. This has been so frustrating!

The organic brake pads are somewhat difficult to find, BUT they're available from Vette Brakes and Products ( www.vbandp.com ). They make less noise than the metallic ones.

 

[wishuwerehere82]

If the rotors are glazed they will squeel a bit before they warm up. You could try scuffing the rotors with 320 grit sandpaper in a crosshatch pattern to resurface them and see if that helps. It will cut a new surface into the pads and rebed the pads if they are glazed too. If they still squeel after that, I would look at the wheel bearings and make sure that there is no runout on the rotors.

 

[Craigi]

Common not a problem

Since it happens only at initial daily use, what you are experiencing is likely a not a glazing problem as much as a normal rotor annoyance. Many vehicles have some type of squeal or noise when first using the brakes after sitting overnight or for a long period of time. Rotors tend to acquire a very fine surface rust in humid conditions, and these microscopic rust particles being worn off are what cause the noise. It burnishes off almost right away, and things are fine until the next time you use the car. Sometimes a different type of pad helps, but it's really the steel rotor. If you can see your rotors through your wheels, you can see what I mean. Go for a normal short drive which will warm up the rotors. When you get home, spray a bit of water on the rotors and go have beer. Come back and you'll notice a reddish film. There is your noise source, which can be a squeal or scruff sound the first couple times on the pedal. No biggie, but check your whole brake system to be sure it's nothing else. Also could be the wear indicator, if you have one on your pads. Sometimes they are set a little tight to the rotor - even with new pads.

Come to think of it, whishuwerehere82 had a good ideal. If there is any glaze on the rotors, the rust situation would have a smoother, and therefore better surface for squeal. A bit of roughing up probably wouldn't be a bad idea.

 

[THORIN]

I have the same problem with mine. Ever since the brake job. What my mechanic told me was that the originals were made with asbestos. They can't do that anymore so it is now metal on metal. Tilll they warm up they squeal. He told me that if it realy bothers me he would replace them with ceramic pads and that would eliminate the squeal. Of course that is more expensive. Is it worth it to eliminate your anoyance?

 

[JohnZ]

Use organic pads, which won't eat your rotors like semi-metallic, semi-ceramic, and the other extra-hard "performance" pads will. Corvette rotors will easily go 100,000 miles or more when used with organic pads.

3M sells a kit you can use with an air or electric drill with a mandrel and the correct mild abrasive pads made specifically to impart the proper non-directional surface to glazed rotors.

 

[pgtr]

How much worse is (if any) is brake dust with the organics?

 

[81kix]

My brakes make the same noise when I first start driving, then they are fine, must have same problem.

 

[rojo_atlanta]

Thank ya kindly

My you have a gorgeous car! I did register mine with the l-81 registry. Thanks fpr the warm welcome.

 

[rojo_atlanta]

Craig, I'll try that water-spraying experiment. The rust on the routers sounds pretty believeable. Thx.

 

[rojo_atlanta]

Correct Product at VBP

I found organic pads a VB&P. Does this link indicate the correct product for my '81?

http://www.vbandp.com/detail.aspx?ID=25

The organic brake pads are somewhat difficult to find, BUT they're available from Vette Brakes and Products ( www.vbandp.com ). They make less noise than the metallic ones.

 

[Craigi]

Craig, I'll try that water-spraying experiment........

Sure! Make me feel bad No water spray up here in Michigan. Just makes snow - if you can get the hose thawed. Brrrr. Not supposed to be over 22ish this week. Send up some of that GA weather !!!:L

 

[JohnZ]

I found organic pads a VB&P. Does this link indicate the correct product for my '81?

http://www.vbandp.com/detail.aspx?ID=25

Yup, that's what you want - Paragon has them too.

 

[glenkov48]

Get louder pipes!!

 

[1stC3Vette]

I normally hang out in the C4 section, but since my brother bought his '76 I lurk the C3 section for valuable info.

My experience with brakes has been that the squealing is actually coming from the back of the pad that is in contact with the caliper. Every time I do brakes, I place some red (or blue) anti-squeak on the back of the pad. Once it is dry, you just put the pads on like normal.

Look for some at your local auto parts store and give it a try.

Good luck,
Dino

 

[rojo_atlanta]

The organic brake pads are somewhat difficult to find, BUT they're available from Vette Brakes and Products ( www.vbandp.com ). They make less noise than the metallic ones.

I got the organic pads from vbandp and they did the trick! No more squeal! Thx a lot JohnZ.

 

[bill81vette]

I got the organic pads from vbandp and they did the trick! No more squeal! Thx a lot JohnZ.

we learn something every day!!!!!
thanks for the tip!!!!!


bill........