Brake Pad Taper - Possible Solution

mbar · 08-23-2018, 06:55 PM

Worth the long read!

At the end of the second day Summit Point (really hard on brakes), I started developing a pretty bad brake judder. No, the rotors are not warped and no deposits on them. I took out the front pads and found out that both sides (all 4 pads) have at least a 3mm (some even 5-6) taper top to bottom. This happened to me on my 4 pistons stock and was one of the reasons I upgraded to the 6 pistons kit. Needless to say that I was really angry/bummed that a new set (well bedded) of $400 pads went to hell. I figured after too much online reading that the probable cause is caliper flexing. I called my favorite brake supplier (racer as well) and this is what he came up with (2 separate email replies):

" There are so many variables that can cause the issues you are seeing. I fought this on my Corvette for a long time. I would get 7 to 8 mm of taper in 2 hours at Laguna Seca on my front pads. I added brake cooling that lowered my rotor temps over 200°F. I replaced everything except the caliper brackets and spindles. I even replaced the wheel bearings. Finally I installed the Brembo 4-piston Gran Turismo kit up front. After 39 hours of track time my ST43 pads had less than 1mm difference in thickness across all 4 front pads. So I guess it was the GM calipers and caliper mounting causing the tapering of the pads."

Second and more important email:
"So, I talked with my Brembo rep about your situation. Even they see some pad taper at times with their 6-Piston Gran Turismo kits when used on the track. One of the tricks they do is to remove the anti-rattle plates/spring from the caliper to allow the pads to move more freely. I didn’t install my anti-rattle hardware on my kit so maybe that is why I didn’t experience any taper. "

I hope this would help you guys.
Let me know if you have any questions

Mountain · 08-23-2018, 11:08 PM

Good post. Interesting...

SaphfireSS · 09-03-2018, 04:41 PM

I never install anti rattle plates $ hardware either and I’m pretty sure I have the same issue. Just to clarify is the vibration mode in mid pressure? In other words if you brake harder or lighter you don’t feel it. Just in between correct?

Uncle Sam · 09-03-2018, 04:51 PM

Anyone see this on a 1LE? I am on my first set of pads and haven't experienced this.

TrackClub · 09-03-2018, 05:01 PM

Even wear here. I did have one F pad go down faster vs the other once tho. But with even wear across.

Vtor_ZL1 · 09-03-2018, 05:04 PM

Overheated the pads, leading to too much heat in caliper and excess deflection.

Scraps0f · 09-03-2018, 05:44 PM

Not to sound like a dick, but isn't there a part on the SS models' brakes that needs removal for track use to allow more air to be received? Was this swapped out?

mbar · 09-03-2018, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaphfireSS

I never install anti rattle plates $ hardware either and I’m pretty sure I have the same issue. Just to clarify is the vibration mode in mid pressure? In other words if you brake harder or lighter you don’t feel it. Just in between correct?

You are correct

mbar · 09-03-2018, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scraps0f

Not to sound like a dick, but isn't there a part on the SS models' brakes that needs removal for track use to allow more air to be received? Was this swapped out?

Yes. Heat/dust shield was removed and brake cooling deflectors got installed.

R3ctivision · 09-04-2018, 10:23 AM

My understanding is that some taper is normal and expected because the calipers use different size pistons across the pad.

I've seen 2-3mm taper across the pad after a hard track day at Laguna which murders brakes. Whatever you do, don't swap the pads around so that you try to "correct" the taper. That won't work well..

mbar · 09-04-2018, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R3ctivision

Whatever you do, don't swap the pads around so that you try to "correct" the taper. That won't work well..

I Agree! . I learned it the hard way

trackjunkie61 · 09-04-2018, 11:57 AM

I experienced 3-4mm taper on my front pads after some hard braking at COTA last weekend. I had almost no pad material left on the bottom part of the pad. It's definitely something to be aware of when you check pad thickness at your track event.

SloCal · 10-31-2020, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R3ctivision

My understanding is that some taper is normal and expected because the calipers use different size pistons across the pad.

I've seen 2-3mm taper across the pad after a hard track day at Laguna which murders brakes. Whatever you do, don't swap the pads around so that you try to "correct" the taper. That won't work well..

Why exactly is that bad? Unfamiliar

ZL1GMA · 11-01-2020, 10:47 AM

Does the pad taper change the pedal feel at all?

Saw this video where it is suggested that pad taper affects pedal feel (travel) and swapping them is a good idea.

08-23-2018, 06:55 PM	#1
mbar Drives: 2016 1SS Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: DC Posts: 927	Brake Pad Taper - Possible Solution Worth the long read! At the end of the second day Summit Point (really hard on brakes), I started developing a pretty bad brake judder. No, the rotors are not warped and no deposits on them. I took out the front pads and found out that both sides (all 4 pads) have at least a 3mm (some even 5-6) taper top to bottom. This happened to me on my 4 pistons stock and was one of the reasons I upgraded to the 6 pistons kit. Needless to say that I was really angry/bummed that a new set (well bedded) of $400 pads went to hell. I figured after too much online reading that the probable cause is caliper flexing. I called my favorite brake supplier (racer as well) and this is what he came up with (2 separate email replies): " There are so many variables that can cause the issues you are seeing. I fought this on my Corvette for a long time. I would get 7 to 8 mm of taper in 2 hours at Laguna Seca on my front pads. I added brake cooling that lowered my rotor temps over 200°F. I replaced everything except the caliper brackets and spindles. I even replaced the wheel bearings. Finally I installed the Brembo 4-piston Gran Turismo kit up front. After 39 hours of track time my ST43 pads had less than 1mm difference in thickness across all 4 front pads. So I guess it was the GM calipers and caliper mounting causing the tapering of the pads." Second and more important email: "So, I talked with my Brembo rep about your situation. Even they see some pad taper at times with their 6-Piston Gran Turismo kits when used on the track. One of the tricks they do is to remove the anti-rattle plates/spring from the caliper to allow the pads to move more freely. I didn’t install my anti-rattle hardware on my kit so maybe that is why I didn’t experience any taper. " I hope this would help you guys. Let me know if you have any questions __________________ 1SS, Black, Black Wheels, A8, MRC, NPP

09-03-2018, 05:04 PM	#6
Vtor_ZL1 Who Needs to KNOW? Drives: 18 ZLE Join Date: May 2018 Location: Left Side of the Moon Posts: 1,771	Overheated the pads, leading to too much heat in caliper and excess deflection. __________________ ing for grip. Are you in the NY/NJ/PA/CT region? Join us for autox fun at MetLife Stadium. HUGE lots, tons of runs. http://www.motorsportsne.com/

08-23-2018, 11:08 PM	#2
Mountain Drives: 2017 SS 1LE, 2016 1SS (previous) Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Metro-Detroit Posts: 1,863	Good post. Interesting...

09-03-2018, 04:41 PM	#3
SaphfireSS Drives: 2017 Camaro 1LE SS Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: In my driveway or on the track. Lol Posts: 257	I never install anti rattle plates $ hardware either and I’m pretty sure I have the same issue. Just to clarify is the vibration mode in mid pressure? In other words if you brake harder or lighter you don’t feel it. Just in between correct?

09-03-2018, 04:51 PM	#4
Uncle Sam Drives: 2017 Camaro 1LE Hyper Blue Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Rockville, Maryland Posts: 373	Anyone see this on a 1LE? I am on my first set of pads and haven't experienced this.

09-03-2018, 05:01 PM	#5
TrackClub Drives: 2020 SS 1LE (previous: 2017 SS 1LE) Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Canada, eh! Posts: 5,091	Even wear here. I did have one F pad go down faster vs the other once tho. But with even wear across.

09-03-2018, 05:44 PM	#7
Scraps0f Drives: 2018 NGM ZL1 Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Buffalo Posts: 145	Not to sound like a dick, but isn't there a part on the SS models' brakes that needs removal for track use to allow more air to be received? Was this swapped out?

09-04-2018, 10:23 AM	#10
R3ctivision 1LE Convert Drives: 2018 ZLE Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Mountain View, CA Posts: 367	My understanding is that some taper is normal and expected because the calipers use different size pistons across the pad. I've seen 2-3mm taper across the pad after a hard track day at Laguna which murders brakes. Whatever you do, don't swap the pads around so that you try to "correct" the taper. That won't work well..

09-04-2018, 11:57 AM	#12
trackjunkie61 Drives: 2017 1LE Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Gulf Coast Posts: 26	I experienced 3-4mm taper on my front pads after some hard braking at COTA last weekend. I had almost no pad material left on the bottom part of the pad. It's definitely something to be aware of when you check pad thickness at your track event.

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