Solution To Rear Caliper Squeeks

[97LT1Z28]

Hey everyone. I solved this weird problem last night so I thought I should post it so people could use it.

My rear brake pads (disc brakes) were due for replacement so I went to the parts store and got new pads, new rotors and a hardware kit. I replaced everything and went for a test drive.

The new pads felt great - nice and quiet, but everytime I'd take a turn, the rear brakes (on the wheel on the inside of the turn) would make a horrible scraping sound. Turns out, the outside of the rotor was scraping against the caliper housing. The pads were seated correctly and everything.

What was causing the problem?? There is play in the axles so if I take a turn to the left, the left rear wheel would pull outward on the axle and the rotor would contact the calliper housing.

The quick & cheap fix?? Instead of replacing the whole rear end to solve the problem, I took the calipers off and used a Dremel rotory tool with a stone sharpening / grinding tip to shave off a milimeter or two off the caliper housing (the part closest to the rotor on the outside). This solved the problem for free and in less than one hour!

I've said it before and I'll say it again..... I love those quick, easy and free fixes!!

Keywords: grinding noise scraping squeal scrape squealing metal wear disc disk shoes camaro firebird t/a trans am lt1 v8 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 2000 01 02

[Jeff_in_Atl]

I'll have to check that out. Ever since I put the LS1 rear end in mine when I take a hard left hand bend in the road I hear what I thought was a bad bearing. I replaced the bearing and it still does it. Maybe it's the caliper housing as you say. Thanks.

[Christopherrr]

Mine does it and it's the pad seat (the silver metal thingy that sits in the caliper bracket for the pad) that's was scraping the rotor. It was slightly bent and during transitions it would scrap the rotor making a high pitched noise, but only on turns...mine was specfically left handers.

[97LT1Z28]

I think we're on to something here!

[Al 96 Ram Air T/A]

Hmmm...you sure you don't have a worn bushing on your suspension? If the wheel is moving in and out with regards to the fender, than the panhard bar is not doing it's job. However, if the wheel is moving forward and back, then the rear lower control arm (sometimes called traction bars) is worn.

Take a look at the rubber bushings. They are probably shot. I replaced all of my suspension components with tubular bars and have no play forward or side to side anymore.

Here's a shot of one side of the panhard bar:



The whole panhard bar:




And a shot of one side of the lower control arm:




I would check these out first before getting out the Dremel.

There should be very little to no play.

[Jeff_in_Atl]

It's not the axle housing that is moving. It is the axle shaft that is moving and it's not much. It's just the play in the C clips.

[97LT1Z28]

It's not the axle housing that is moving. It is the axle shaft that is moving and it's not much. It's just the play in the C clips.

Exactly!!

[z28_Bignick_z28]

thanks for the thread... my '95 z28 is doing the exact same thing... thanks for the tip

[Al 96 Ram Air T/A]

Ahh, now I understand. I'm not sure how much endplay is normal. I can't imagine side to side movement do to a loose C-clip being good though. It may be a combination of axle movement and rear-end movement however. Good tip!

[Jeff_in_Atl]

Ahh, now I understand. I'm not sure how much endplay is normal. I can't imagine side to side movement do to a loose C-clip being good though. It may be a combination of axle movement and rear-end movement however. Good tip!

My rear end doesn't move. LOL

[scottso]

Mine was a very high pitched squeel just in turns (left I think).

You can put a body shim in to slightly offset the caliper. No grinding, no removal - I think I used a 1/32".

[Rob B (shoebox)]

I think this is why GM has long made a caliper shim. It's an old problem.

mounting