C6 Z51 Brakes Squeal!

[troutaddict]

I found another forum and posted that my brakes squeal like an old bus when i am stopping and, surprise, this appears to be a problem with every C6 with Z51. So i talked to my dealer, nice guy. He provided me with a copy of a GM notice to dealers that as of 3/22/06, dealers are not to replace the squeaky brake pads on the Z51. See here for full info: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=1343571&page=1&pp=20

GM says they have no fix, but that the vette is a high performance car and therefore may squeak when stopping. Bunk! The last few BMW M3s and M5s that pulled up next to me didnt squeak.

Vette gods, if you are out there. PLEASE fix this problem or please send me a check and take my Z51 back and call me when you have figured out how to make fast cars stop without waking up the neighborhood.

 

[froggy47]

I found another forum and posted that my brakes squeal like an old bus when i am stopping and, surprise, this appears to be a problem with every C6 with Z51. So i talked to my dealer, nice guy. He provided me with a copy of a GM notice to dealers that as of 3/22/06, dealers are not to replace the squeaky brake pads on the Z51. See here for full info: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=1343571&page=1&pp=20

GM says they have no fix, but that the vette is a high performance car and therefore may squeak when stopping. Bunk! The last few BMW M3s and M5s that pulled up next to me didnt squeak.

Vette gods, if you are out there. PLEASE fix this problem or please send me a check and take my Z51 back and call me when you have figured out how to make fast cars stop without waking up the neighborhood.

Just try some different pads till you get the result you want, but you will be giving up some braking performance.

 

[troutaddict]

Not really interested in spending more of my cash when I still have 22k left on warranty. Maybe its funny thinking, but I believe this is GM's problem and they should be required to fix it.

 

[c4c5specialist]

Hi there,
Z51 is the RACING braking system and suspension system. That is why the braking system is so good when hot.
If you wanted completely quiet braking, you should have purchased the FE1 suspension/braking system.
Those are completely quiet.
People had the same complaint when they were purchasing ZO6 from 2001-2004.
You purchased a performance track car, sorry, but your SALESMAN should have told you that.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[hardnoks]

SQUEAL

GM IS FULL OF CRAP,BTW!!THEY HAD A BULLETIN TO REPLACE THE PADS AND DID SO,NOW THEY'RE JUST TRYING TO SAVE A BUCK!!HAVING SAID THAT,WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO FIX IT IS DO SOME HEAVY STOPPING!I.E.FLOOR IT THEN HIT THE BRAKES HARD A FEW TIMES.I HEARD A SLIGHT SQUEAL WHEN I FIRST GOT MY Z51 AND DID WHAT I JUST SAID AND HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING SINCE....YOUR ONLY OTHER SOLUTION IS NEW,DIFFERENT PADS.GOOD LUCK.

 

[c4c5specialist]

GM IS FULL OF CRAP,BTW!!THEY HAD A BULLETIN TO REPLACE THE PADS AND DID SO,NOW THEY'RE JUST TRYING TO SAVE A BUCK!!HAVING SAID THAT,WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO FIX IT IS DO SOME HEAVY STOPPING!I.E.FLOOR IT THEN HIT THE BRAKES HARD A FEW TIMES.I HEARD A SLIGHT SQUEAL WHEN I FIRST GOT MY Z51 AND DID WHAT I JUST SAID AND HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING SINCE....YOUR ONLY OTHER SOLUTION IS NEW,DIFFERENT PADS.GOOD LUCK.

HI there,
What bulletin would that be??
There are no bulletins that I am aware of for this condition.
There is a preliminary document which states this is normal, but that is it.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[hardnoks]

tsb

I DO BELIEVE that a tsb was issued last year for the squeal condition.ON 05'S.I READ ABOUT IT ON ANOTHER FORUM,AND RECENTLY READ THAT THEY'RE NOT DOING THE FIX ANYMORE ALSO.I'M SURE I PRINTED IT OUT I JUST HAVE TO FIND IT!...EITHER WAY,WHAT I POSTED BEFORE ABOUT THE FIX DOES WORK,SO GIVE IT A SHOT.HERE YOU GO,COPIED FROM ELSEWHERE...








Default C6 Z51 Brake Squeal/groan Fix!
This is a new bulletin just released for this problem. GM has plenty of the rear pads in stock, but very limited supply of the front pads inbound from the mfg. GM Parts was not aware of this bulletin and I passed it on to a supervisor and advised them they better get a bunch of fronts on hand asap. If you are having this problem notify your dealer and give them this bulletin # so they can order you new brakes. Remember this is not a recall, but just the information for a dealer to do a repair under factory warranty.



Document ID# 1682443


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Brake Squeal on Vehicles Equipped with Z51 Package - keywords disc front groan noise pad rear squeak #PIC3320A - (Jul 8, 2005)
Brake Squeal On Vehicles Equipped With Z51 Package
2005 Chevrolet Corvette With (RPO Z51)

The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

Condition/Concern:
Some customers may comment that when they apply the brakes, the vehicle exhibits a squeal noise. This squeal noise is heard coming from the front or rear of the vehicle. Vehicles produced with the Z51 sport package are equipped with larger rotors and harder pads.

Recommendation/Instructions:
Replace both the front and rear brake pads with the part numbers listed below. Both front and rear pads need to be replaced due to the difference in composition of the brake lining material. The existing rotors should be used and it is not necessary to machine the rotors.

Part Number
Description

89060211
Front Brake Pads

88964095
Rear Brake Pads


Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.



GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.
WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION.

 

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
That is NOT A TSB, that is preliminary service information, for dealership technicians only.
That explains the discrepancy.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[hardnoks]

tsb

oh,ok.It says bulletin up top...who knew!!Either way,they're not honoring it anymore.

 

[waterboy1976]

The pads on the Z51 equipped cars are a much harder compound to absorb heat and high speed braking versus the pads on the standard suspension. Our dealership has replaced two sets on 06 model Z51s as a courtesy under GM warranty. Go to a softer pad and youll eliminate the squeel but you ll sacrafice high speed braking and heat dissapation. Its not a "GM" problem the problem lies in the compund mix from the supplier and is NOT in every batch. Unfortunatley you got one of the bad ones, BUT your local dealer who sold you the car should replace them no problems....

 

[The Drakester]

I found another forum and posted that my brakes squeal like an old bus when i am stopping and, surprise, this appears to be a problem with every C6 with Z51. So i talked to my dealer, nice guy. He provided me with a copy of a GM notice to dealers that as of 3/22/06, dealers are not to replace the squeaky brake pads on the Z51. See here for full info: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=1343571&page=1&pp=20

GM says they have no fix, but that the vette is a high performance car and therefore may squeak when stopping. Bunk! The last few BMW M3s and M5s that pulled up next to me didnt squeak.

Vette gods, if you are out there. PLEASE fix this problem or please send me a check and take my Z51 back and call me when you have figured out how to make fast cars stop without waking up the neighborhood.

Secret is bedding in the pads. See this link: http://www.zeckhausen.com/bedding_in_brakes.htm

 

[troutaddict]

Secret is bedding in the pads. See this link: http://www.zeckhausen.com/bedding_in_brakes.htm

so then GM is bedding their brakes incorrectly? Hmmm....well, i found the solution last month. I took those crappy a** brake pads off, put on new ceramics and have no squeak and no apparent loss of braking or stopping power. Happy me, unhappy with GM.

 

[The Drakester]

so then GM is bedding their brakes incorrectly? Hmmm....well, i found the solution last month. I took those crappy a** brake pads off, put on new ceramics and have no squeak and no apparent loss of braking or stopping power. Happy me, unhappy with GM.

Good for you. What brand of ceramic pads. Iput Hawk performance pads on my coupe and am reall happy with them.

 

[fwer]

I have the same problem with mine and it started with less than 200 miles on it. My dealer gave me the 'there is nothing we can do speech'. I received a call from the factory to see how I like my new Corvette so I told them what I thought about their supposed chrome rims and their braking noises. I was told to drive it to the factory and they would replace the brakes. I mentioned this to my dealer and he said to bring it in one day when it was making the noises and they would take another look at it.

I guess I could have a paid more.

Nonsense.

 

[nina kaminkow]

hi was wondering what you did about the break issue. i cant stand it!!!
nina

 

[fwer]

The short story is nothing. I contacted my dealer and they of course test drove it. It has to be warm and they don't drive it that long. Then they tell me that it is a high performance breaking system and there is nothing they can do about it.

I've given up and am trying to live with it, but I haven't had the opportunity to really drive it much, so out of sight - out of mind. It's crap.

There are some threads on this board where other members have changed them out and found peace with a different type of pad.

Sorry, no answers here.

Good luck.