1LE Brake Noise Question - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Camarotobeornottobe · 06-15-2015, 07:35 AM

So, I have to turn the wheel pretty hard when I back into my garage.

I have noticed that if I have the brakes MILDLY depressed sitting still, and then I turn the wheel in either direction to the lock position, the brakes make a groaning sound right before I reach the end of the steering, i.e. with the wheel approaching the most extreme spot. I can even wiggle the steering wheel back and forth in that area and get it to continue to make the noise. If I am completely off the brakes, or I hold them down hard, everything is quiet.

With the brakes not all the way depressed, am I just hearing the rotors trying to move slightly (against the brake pads) at that extreme steering position, and these "track" brake pads making noise in protest?

markgws6 · 06-15-2015, 01:59 PM

Check your lug nuts to make sure they are all tight. I'm assuming you have the stock wheels and brake pads?

Camarotobeornottobe · 06-15-2015, 03:12 PM

Yep, all stock. It's kind of the same sound I hear from my wife's Dodge SUV under similar conditions -- kind of a creeking, moaning, "complaining" from the brakes . . . just much louder on the Camaro. Like I said, I can't replicate the noise if I am off the brakes when I do it, or if I press firmly. It's only in the middle ground.

I'm pretty sure the lugs are tight -- I use a torque wrench to ensure they are exactly where I want them. But, I'll check just in case.

markgws6 · 06-15-2015, 04:08 PM

I'll try doing this later and see what happens. I do not recall hearing such a noise and I have racing brake pads on the fronts.

Camarotobeornottobe · 06-15-2015, 04:29 PM

Thanks, the conditions in which it happens (sitting still, brakes mildly depressed, turn wheel to lock position either right or left) are not something you would be in frequently, so it doesn't surprise me that I haven't gotten much response.

Banshee · 06-15-2015, 04:35 PM

Pretty certain it is caused by additional force of the tires upon the wheels transferring through the rotors and calipers while steering is at an extreme steering position.

Tried it with my 13..got same thing...tried it with Trans Am...same thing.

It feels like a grrrr grrrr with slight shuttering felt when releasing brake?

In essence...my theory is that while straight line there is equal distance between pistons to pad to rotor...when extreme turn outside that of normal driving, the piston distance on one side of the pad is greater than the other causing one pad to have no grip and the other pad to have excessive grip causing a higher pressure of one pad on each wheel on both sides.

Or it could be from the massive grip these tires have transferring through...

Camarotobeornottobe · 06-15-2015, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Banshee

Pretty certain it is caused by additional force of the tires upon the wheels transferring through the rotors and calipers while steering is at an extreme steering position.

Tried it with my 13..got same thing...tried it with Trans Am...same thing.

It feels like a grrrr grrrr with slight shuttering felt when releasing brake?

In essence...my theory is that while straight line there is equal distance between pistons to pad to rotor...when extreme turn outside that of normal driving, the piston distance on one side of the pad is greater than the other causing one pad to have no grip and the other pad to have excessive grip causing a higher pressure of one pad on each wheel on both sides.

Or it could be from the massive grip these tires have transferring through...

Bansheee, interesting theory. I love this forum when ideas are kicked around.

Yea, the "grrrrrr" is probably an accurate description. Slight shuttering, but very faint. The sound I'm talking about only happens while moving the steering wheel near that lock position, not holding it still. So, the car would be stationary, put your foot on the brake mildly, bring the steering wheel to the lock on the left or right, and then wiggle the steering wheel back and forth about a 1/4 turn -- then the sound is consistent. If you completely release the brake or hold the brake pedal down firmly, the sound will NOT replicate. That what you heard?

Banshee · 06-15-2015, 06:16 PM

Try wetting down your garage floor or wherever you can replicate the noise....see what you come up with.

Just a theory...

Camarotobeornottobe · 06-15-2015, 10:37 PM

Okay, I figured it out, if anyone cares

If you turn all the way to the right with the brakes applied lightly, the noise comes from the right front tire (inside/front). If you turn left, it is from the left.

I had the wife do this for me while I listened standing close to the wheels. I guess when the wheel is turned very sharp (all the way), it wants to move the inside wheel just slightly even though the car is stationary. In doing so, the brakes are barely grabbing, thus making that groaning noise you can get sometimes.

If you hold the brakes hard, it holds tight and doesn't allow the wheel to move -- thus no noise. I was able to replicate it in my wife's car, it just wasn't near as loud. The 1LE is probably louder cause of the thick tires and grabby brakes -- perhaps even the camber of the inside wheel causes more "movement" at that sharp turn angle. Since you can actually feel the front of the car raise at that sharp steering point, I'm betting on the camber exacerbating the sound.

When I put carpet pieces under the tires, it had no effect, so it wasn't a function of the grippy tires only, per se.

Banshee · 06-16-2015, 01:54 AM

Sweet!

Another gremlin bites the dust.

markgws6 · 06-16-2015, 12:42 PM

Glad you figured it out as I've not had the chance (or memory) to test it yet. I try not to turn all the way to lock while a car is stationary though for fear of damaging something.

Camarotobeornottobe · 06-16-2015, 01:27 PM

Thanks, in case it is not clear what I'm hearing, you know when you're stopped on a decline and let off the brakes just enough to let the car inch forward? The brakes make that slight groan noise as they are released. You are hearing the rotors against the pads. This is the same thing, only it does it while sitting perfectly still and only in the front/inside wheel at that extreme turn.

I just wish I could find somewhere where it is explained WHY the wheel is moving against the brake pads like that, i.e. the "physics" of why turning it that hard causes the inside wheel to rotate slightly (unless you hold the brakes firmly). Even Google has its limits

Iroc Drew · 06-16-2015, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camarotobeornottobe

Thanks, in case it is not clear what I'm hearing, you know when you're stopped on a decline and let off the brakes just enough to let the car inch forward? The brakes make that slight groan noise as they are released. You are hearing the rotors against the pads. This is the same thing, only it does it while sitting perfectly still and only in the front/inside wheel at that extreme turn.

I just wish I could find somewhere where it is explained WHY the wheel is moving against the brake pads like that, i.e. the "physics" of why turning it that hard causes the inside wheel to rotate slightly (unless you hold the brakes firmly). Even Google has its limits

Could be the strut tower brace keeping things tight. Just my 2 cents.

USMUCL · 06-29-2015, 11:34 AM

I bet it is the natural sound from the brakes and the tight suspension. No worries.

06-15-2015, 07:35 AM	#1
Camarotobeornottobe Drives: 1LE Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: East Coast Man Posts: 550	1LE Brake Noise Question So, I have to turn the wheel pretty hard when I back into my garage. I have noticed that if I have the brakes MILDLY depressed sitting still, and then I turn the wheel in either direction to the lock position, the brakes make a groaning sound right before I reach the end of the steering, i.e. with the wheel approaching the most extreme spot. I can even wiggle the steering wheel back and forth in that area and get it to continue to make the noise. If I am completely off the brakes, or I hold them down hard, everything is quiet. With the brakes not all the way depressed, am I just hearing the rotors trying to move slightly (against the brake pads) at that extreme steering position, and these "track" brake pads making noise in protest?

06-15-2015, 01:59 PM	#2
markgws6 Drives: 2019 Chevy Equinox Premier AWD Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Silicon Valley, CA Posts: 1,344 View My Garage	Check your lug nuts to make sure they are all tight. I'm assuming you have the stock wheels and brake pads? __________________ 2013 AGM 1SS/1LE, NPP, Camera (1 of 43)

06-15-2015, 04:08 PM	#4
markgws6 Drives: 2019 Chevy Equinox Premier AWD Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Silicon Valley, CA Posts: 1,344 View My Garage	I'll try doing this later and see what happens. I do not recall hearing such a noise and I have racing brake pads on the fronts. __________________ 2013 AGM 1SS/1LE, NPP, Camera (1 of 43)

06-15-2015, 04:35 PM	#6
Banshee Institutionally Insane Drives: 2013 IOM 2SS/RS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Detroit MI Posts: 2,115 View My Garage	Pretty certain it is caused by additional force of the tires upon the wheels transferring through the rotors and calipers while steering is at an extreme steering position. Tried it with my 13..got same thing...tried it with Trans Am...same thing. It feels like a grrrr grrrr with slight shuttering felt when releasing brake? In essence...my theory is that while straight line there is equal distance between pistons to pad to rotor...when extreme turn outside that of normal driving, the piston distance on one side of the pad is greater than the other causing one pad to have no grip and the other pad to have excessive grip causing a higher pressure of one pad on each wheel on both sides. Or it could be from the massive grip these tires have transferring through... __________________ It's got a cop motor, a 440 cubic inch plant, it's got cop tires, cop suspension, cop shocks. It's a model made before catalytic converters so it'll run good on regular gas. What do you say, is it the new Bluesmobile or what?

06-15-2015, 06:16 PM	#8
Banshee Institutionally Insane Drives: 2013 IOM 2SS/RS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Detroit MI Posts: 2,115 View My Garage	Try wetting down your garage floor or wherever you can replicate the noise....see what you come up with. Just a theory... __________________ It's got a cop motor, a 440 cubic inch plant, it's got cop tires, cop suspension, cop shocks. It's a model made before catalytic converters so it'll run good on regular gas. What do you say, is it the new Bluesmobile or what?

06-15-2015, 03:12 PM	#3
Camarotobeornottobe Drives: 1LE Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: East Coast Man Posts: 550	Yep, all stock. It's kind of the same sound I hear from my wife's Dodge SUV under similar conditions -- kind of a creeking, moaning, "complaining" from the brakes . . . just much louder on the Camaro. Like I said, I can't replicate the noise if I am off the brakes when I do it, or if I press firmly. It's only in the middle ground. I'm pretty sure the lugs are tight -- I use a torque wrench to ensure they are exactly where I want them. But, I'll check just in case.

06-15-2015, 04:29 PM	#5
Camarotobeornottobe Drives: 1LE Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: East Coast Man Posts: 550	Thanks, the conditions in which it happens (sitting still, brakes mildly depressed, turn wheel to lock position either right or left) are not something you would be in frequently, so it doesn't surprise me that I haven't gotten much response.

06-15-2015, 10:37 PM	#9
Camarotobeornottobe Drives: 1LE Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: East Coast Man Posts: 550	Okay, I figured it out, if anyone cares If you turn all the way to the right with the brakes applied lightly, the noise comes from the right front tire (inside/front). If you turn left, it is from the left. I had the wife do this for me while I listened standing close to the wheels. I guess when the wheel is turned very sharp (all the way), it wants to move the inside wheel just slightly even though the car is stationary. In doing so, the brakes are barely grabbing, thus making that groaning noise you can get sometimes. If you hold the brakes hard, it holds tight and doesn't allow the wheel to move -- thus no noise. I was able to replicate it in my wife's car, it just wasn't near as loud. The 1LE is probably louder cause of the thick tires and grabby brakes -- perhaps even the camber of the inside wheel causes more "movement" at that sharp turn angle. Since you can actually feel the front of the car raise at that sharp steering point, I'm betting on the camber exacerbating the sound. When I put carpet pieces under the tires, it had no effect, so it wasn't a function of the grippy tires only, per se.

06-16-2015, 01:54 AM	#10
Banshee Institutionally Insane Drives: 2013 IOM 2SS/RS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Detroit MI Posts: 2,115 View My Garage	Sweet! Another gremlin bites the dust. __________________ It's got a cop motor, a 440 cubic inch plant, it's got cop tires, cop suspension, cop shocks. It's a model made before catalytic converters so it'll run good on regular gas. What do you say, is it the new Bluesmobile or what?

06-16-2015, 12:42 PM	#11
markgws6 Drives: 2019 Chevy Equinox Premier AWD Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Silicon Valley, CA Posts: 1,344 View My Garage	Glad you figured it out as I've not had the chance (or memory) to test it yet. I try not to turn all the way to lock while a car is stationary though for fear of damaging something. __________________ 2013 AGM 1SS/1LE, NPP, Camera (1 of 43)

06-16-2015, 01:27 PM	#12
Camarotobeornottobe Drives: 1LE Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: East Coast Man Posts: 550	Thanks, in case it is not clear what I'm hearing, you know when you're stopped on a decline and let off the brakes just enough to let the car inch forward? The brakes make that slight groan noise as they are released. You are hearing the rotors against the pads. This is the same thing, only it does it while sitting perfectly still and only in the front/inside wheel at that extreme turn. I just wish I could find somewhere where it is explained WHY the wheel is moving against the brake pads like that, i.e. the "physics" of why turning it that hard causes the inside wheel to rotate slightly (unless you hold the brakes firmly). Even Google has its limits

06-29-2015, 11:34 AM	#14
USMUCL Drives: 2021 Camaro 1SS 1LE Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Virginia Posts: 406	I bet it is the natural sound from the brakes and the tight suspension. No worries. Last edited by USMUCL; 07-20-2015 at 08:28 PM.