Wheel weights on the calipers

Can anyone figure this one out. Two different 2010 Camaros have been documented to have this so far. Any Idea why?

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d25/silverghost01/DSC00150.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d25/silverghost01/IMG_1376.jpg

That's interesting. Those are pics of CTF or pre-production cars, right?

thats strange. its not even a moving part. there is no need for it to be balanced.

Ah...unless they are only being stored there...to be used on the wheel later when needed? Kind of a thin explanation, but the only one I can think of now.

When I had custom wheels made on my 2002 Camaro, I carried a spare set of wheel weights in the glove box.

That's interesting. Those are pics of CTF or pre-production cars, right?

nope, first pic is a delivered customer car, the second is the dealers car for the showroom.

This is turning into a big stink all around the net.

Unbelieveable.

Such a minor detail and all of the Vultures are squawking.

This is turning into a big stink all around the net.

Unbelieveable.

Such a minor detail and all of the Vultures are squawking.

That's funny. I specifically came to this board for the first time because i knew there'd be excuses and whining instead of :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

I mean seriously, wheel weights stuck on brembo brakes inside of wide open spoke 20" rims doesn't strike you in the least bit as hilarious and pathetic and weird? It's almost art in its ability to evoke so many emotions.

Perhaps that explains it. They are there as a new type of entertainment / viral marketing. No such thing as bad publicity after all right?

Man, I can't believe people are making a huge deal out of this. It is one of those minor things that probably doesn't mean anything. There a lot that goes into building a car, and sometimes things happen with one intention but makes no sense to the consumer.

I am sure there is a very very simple and reasonable explanation. I am not going to even worry about it until there is actually something to worry about. I mean...honestly...if factually there is no reason for them to be there, just remove them. :lol:

Wait until I take it in to have my calipers balanced and rotated......:lol:

Just found this at Jalopnik. Punks.

http://jalopnik.com/5222908/2010-chevy-camaro-gets-mysterious-brake-weights

Man, I can't believe people are making a huge deal out of this. It is one of those minor things that probably doesn't mean anything. There a lot that goes into building a car, and sometimes things happen with one intention but makes no sense to the consumer.

I am sure there is a very very simple and reasonable explanation. I am not going to even worry about it until there is actually something to worry about. I mean...honestly...if factually there is no reason for them to be there, just remove them. :lol:


No big surprise, people are stupid - and they get all worked up over non-issues all the time.

The most plausible story I've seen so far is that some squealing had been noticed (presumably on the CTF cars) and this quick fix solved it. The final aspect being that Brembo is supplying revised calipers now.


If anything, people should be applauding GM's attention to detail (and this is a most minor detail), instead of getting their panties in a bunch over nothing.

Okay, here's the official statement on this from John Fitzpatrick:

Some early Camaro customers noticed that there are weights on the Camaro SS calipers. With high-performance vehicles like the Camaro SS, minor brake noise is not uncommon. The weights act as a damper to reduce noise in certain driving conditions. This was done after careful evaluation and validation by our engineering team. These weights will only be added to early builds of the Camaro SS.

Okay, here's the official statement on this from John Fitzpatrick:

Interesting. Hopefully owners of such cars won't have issues with the adhesive failing (or worse, the lead melting) in high-temperature conditions like Jalopnik suggested is possible. :)

only early models..... :lol: so its a bandaid?

Like the front lower control arm mounts when the first trail blazers came out.... and they were busted off the delivery truck?

wonder what else got bandaided.... they only had 7 years to develop it.

kind of a weird fix for a problem. what if it falls off? youll have a bad noise?

what if it falls off? youll have a bad noise?

Wheel weights aren't exactly known to fall off, but yeah, it would probably squeak under certain braking conditions. Odds are it wouldn't be something you'd hear all of the time.

well lets say it doesnt fall off, but i were to take them off and replace them with a big brake upgrade. would it still make the noise or is it just the caliper assembly itself?

well lets say it doesnt fall off, but i were to take them off and replace them with a big brake upgrade. would it still make the noise or is it just the caliper assembly itself?

I think it's the caliper itself.

You're going to take off a set of 14" Brembos and replace them with something bigger? :confused:

I think it's the caliper itself.

You're going to take off a set of 14" Brembos and replace them with something bigger? :confused:
i didnt say the rotor. i would like to replace the 4 piston with a 6 piston just up front. if i can re use the rotors i will. if not ill just get a bigger rotor for up front.

i didnt say the rotor.

Neither did he. :D

i would like to replace the 4 piston with a 6 piston just up front.

Now you are talkin'! :thumb: I think that's what Jake was referencing above.

if i can re use the rotors i will. if not ill just get a bigger rotor for up front.

I don't think a bigger rotor will help at all, since the caliper will still have the same surface contact. Moving the caliper further outboard may require custom brackets made, etc. and you still may not get any advantage from it.

he said 14" brembos. the only thing i can think of that are 14" involving the brembos are the rotors.
i dont want to move the caliper out more, i would just see that brembo makes a big brake upgrade kit and bolt in the new calipers. im just assuming that the contact patch is the same with the 4 piston as they would be on a 6 piston. id have to look more into it once i find something out from brembo.

Found this on my dealers first SS we got today. Was just about to post what the hell they were doing with the wheel weights until I saw this thread.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y243/Crazyz28/New%20Camaro/SSPX0087.jpg

That's 4oz of weight :O, wonder how long that glue will last with brake heat unless they are using special weights on these.

well. This is an issue. Picked up vin #6046 on wednesday and the dreaded wheel weights were on the fron brakes.
maybe some of you think that this is just a minor detail but I think it's a BIG deal. Those stunning calipers in the open wheel are completely laughed at by anyone who looks at car . Looks like a high school fix.
I cant believe this was not sorted out before cars were shipped and I expect GM to have a fix for this in the near future. I dont see myself taking my car to shows etc...and having these silly weights on there.
Looks like poop.
:no:

Hello,ground control to major tom,anyone home????? If the weights offend or humiliate you, take the things off. To be honest you can't void a warranty by removing weights of a brake caliper. And they probably only quell a pedal vibration at 90 pulling .85 G's. Think about it? It is going to have to be an extreme situation for 2 or 4 ounces of weight on the calipers to do anything. IMO I'll probably pull mine off the first day to try to find what the problem is and what driving condition causes it. If it's a big issue they'll go back on. If not they are gone. Were not talking brain surgery here.

It is going to have to be an extreme situation for 2 or 4 ounces of weight on the calipers to do anything.

I have enough engineering background to know this isn't true.

Elaborate please.....expound......Let's do the technical dance on this

http://i.pbase.com/o4/98/583898/1/63713938.qaEEdjG9.popcorn.gif

Let me correct myself. If the weights are hung up front the bad vibe is probably in the steering wheel. On the rear in the pedal.

Elaborate please.....expound......Let's do the technical dance on this

Based on the official description of the problem (post #12), the weights are there to suppress a noise. There is no mention of vibration, which would indicate that the frequency is too high to feel anything.

That in conjunction with the fact that they put weights on the calipers tells me that they tracked the vibration to a resonance in the calipers, and they're simply using the weights to change the resonant frequency of the caliper assembly to a range that isn't encountered during normal driving.

ok,using a series of led weights to deaden a high frequency VIBRATION. A sound is created by friction which produces an audible emission usually a harmonic vibration.

It would not surprise me that when the new brembos are produced the camaro will have a recall to replace the calipers that have the weights on them (seriously though, I bet on a hot day in constant stop and go traffic the adhesive is going to give up. Especially if it is a twice a day, 5 day a week occurrence.

Lead weights on a brake caliper really is a joke. If mine has them they are off before I take delivery. Literally.

THAT was precisely my point"ground control to major Tom".
Why do I have to get involved in removing wheels and chipping off weights off a caliper to "maybe" not even feel it at 90mph and warp factor 4....???
Is it not the responsibility of the General to produce a caliper that works and is acceptable on a car that has been raved about fot its BRAKES !!!
C'mon....I am not going to start re-engineering the calipers and taking the weights off as it might create vibration that is unwanted.
This is absurd. they better have a fix planned cause I have already started conversations at GM Canada on the customer line and will escalete this as much as I can.
If they can put Hyundai Accents to SLR's on the street with no weights to quell noise or vibration then why should our new "world calls Camaro" be any different.
I am real mad about these weights after all the money I spent.
:mad:

And the point I think more important on this issue is,the problem that has probably surfaced occasionally under obscure circumstances has influenced less then a majority of engineers to be a legitimate problem,hence the ridiculous fix. 99% of owners that remove these weights will likely never experience any noise or vibration. Believe me if there was a legitimate real problem production would be stopped until this was corrected. This to me is really a non issue as of now. I think it's good your expressing your concern,to me hanging weights on a brake caliper is more of an eye sore then even a hazard. Although there is a real potential for it should they melt or break off and wedge in between the pads and caliper somehow. Like I said,"if mine still has them on when my is being PDI'd, I will take them off"

vin #13345 has the weights, still, only early build cars?

maybe it's time to get a few thousand V8 owners to begin a real serious conversation about this issue. I was playing with mine yesterday and they are not very rigid. they could EASILY fall off in certain situations. (heavy rain , bad roads, snow and ice etc...)
This seems like a major hazard in terms of what if a weights or a clump of weights fell off on an interstate and went flying into a bad spot under the car and damaged something or worse what if they fell off and went flying into a windshield of another car at 70-100mph. This could kill somebody.
Anybody willing to join me in a letter to GM??

They are not going to be,"real rigid" With the fluctuations in heat the glue is designed to remain flexible throughout all heat ranges. This helps maintain it's composition, keeping it's adhesive properties in tact. As for the lead,that doesn't really shed heat very well.
I understand your apprehension but until I'm able to get my car, pull the weights off and determine what if any effect it has, starting a campaign for this is a little premature in my opinion.

Well I am not willing to start taking off the weights and screwing with it because GM put them on at the factory for a reason. I dont want to modify any GM work and do any of my own in house engineering as the dealer and GM might come back to me on this. The weights are not secure. plain and simple. if an owner drives this in a canadian ice storm on the highway a chunk of ice could easily snap them off.
I have contacted Brembo North America and have the name of a senior guy with his number and have notified the dealer who will be forwarding this to GM canada at a senior level. We must put pressure on GM about this issue as a group or nothing will happen. This is an unacceptable, cobbled together fix on a stupendous and stunning prioduct. many cars are affected as you know.

Can anyone confirm that the weights are all the same weight from car to car?

how would you be able to know unless everyone compared exact weights and number of them.... I know mine are stacked 3 high and some pics I have seen are stacked 2 high...

That is bizarre. I would not expect a differential factor on this? Now that leaves me scratching my melon.
BTW; Did the brembo person give you any info?

complete stonewall so far. GM customer line told me to go see dealer. I went and spoke to Service Mgr at big Toronto GM store and it was a complete wate of time His comment was : " Do you expect us to re-engineer the brakes on your car sir??"
I have also left a message on Brembo website and a guy at Brembo's voice mail and compltely no reply.
We have strength in numbers and every car is getting this brake fix. Saw a brand new SS with at Addison's in Toronto yesterday and it had the weights on calipers. If nobody wants to join and fight GM on this then I guess we live with it....and the thread dies. enjoy your ugly weights on your calipers guys.
seems to be no interest here.

mine doesnt have the weights on it.

GM customer line told me to go see dealer.

That's a standard response. They do not have engineering technical support hot line as engineers usually are not good with people. ;)

I went and spoke to Service Mgr at big Toronto GM store and it was a complete wate of time His comment was : " Do you expect us to re-engineer the brakes on your car sir??"

I know that's that the GM customer support said to do, but what else did you expect the dealer to do?

If nobody wants to join and fight GM on this then I guess we live with it....and the thread dies. enjoy your ugly weights on your calipers guys. seems to be no interest here.

There's plenty of interest in it, but I think people are more interested in a solution than "joining a fight". I am not any happier with the situation than anyone else, but I have no interest in taking a class action-style, hard line approach to this.

I suggest remove them if you hate them that much and see what happens. If it is anything like the Cadillac CTS noise, you will possibly hear a whine when moving/braking slowly. If you don't, you are golden.

not so much a fight as an organized group of people who tell GM/Brembo that a cobbled together Caliper is not acceptable in a world class car and what are they going to do about it??
We have thousands of owners with this but maybe most have not noticed "yet"....
Anyways seems like a waste of time so gonna live with it. My black paint is loaded with white blotches under the clear coat on the hood also but will live with that too as I dont want to repaint anything. The joys of early production cars. Whatever.

mine doesnt have the weights on it.

Did you 86 em? If so, keep me up on any appreciable issues.

no. i thought they werent on it. but i checked last night and they are on it. they are just at the very back of them. i never noticed them before when i looked.

This is pathetic! $36,000 and weights on the calipers? Bad GM! I hate when I go to car shows and there are chips on the painted calipers.Anyone who thinks this is a non issue has drinken too much of the Camaro Kool Aid. This is realy shameful.I feel badly for those of you have to deal with this.:no:

I am going to take this to very highest levels of GM. It's just friggin wrong. I am real twisted about my calipers. Anybody with me??

I don't even have my car yet. And the majority on this site are in the same boat.

This is pathetic! $36,000 and weights on the wheels? Bad GM! I hate when I go to car shows and there are chips on the painted calipers.Anyone who thinks this is a non issue has drinken too much of the Camaro Kool Aid. This is realy shameful.I feel badly for those of you have to deal with this.:no:
theres always weights on the wheels. the weights being talked about here are on the calipers.

Sorry meant calipers! Post has been corrected.

Thanks guys(Chris/Jason) for trying to answer my question on wheel weights but unfortunately the problem lingers....I DO hope you will bring this important topic up to the big "three" as you call them....Here is the deal...
1/ Looks like p..p
2/ These weights will fall off eventually over the years....Will GM honor the replacement fix when this happens?? Doubt it....
3/ Worse...Please tell me who is responsible when the guy on the motorcycle behind me gets hit by a flying wheel weight stuck on a darned caliper
4/ What if my car gets damaged by a flying caliper weight?? (small chance but ...it can happen)
5/ What will GM do when the calipers need replacement in 5-10 yrs...maybe less...will the calipers be sold with wheel weights stuck on?? I doubt it....
6/ EVERYONE with a new SS should be at least speaking up about this with their local District service Manager at their GM store because the more we talk the more potential we have of a FIX.
7/ Brembo is absolutely not owning up to this as I have written on the Brembo website and called them and they have not even taken a minute to reply...big shame for a world known brake maker...
8/When the weights fall...which they will(think of riding over a brutally rough road....it will happen) then what will brakes be like and will the dealer be able to fix potential vibration or noise.....
9/ Time for GM to tell us if they are working on a fix...even if it takes a year or 2...just get us a fix !! Please.

Well, took it right to GM engineering in Oshawa and the lady who checked with the Chief engineer whoever that is.....told me that his reply was standard GM speak.
"thanks but no Thanks". NO fix in the works and the Wheel weights are on there for noise and new calipers are not coming soon.
I will be taking my fight higher.....Surprised not one one other person on the forum with an SS is interested in joining me...

I just found this thread and I'm pretty disappointed in how GM addressed the issue. This kind of fix to a problem is a blow to the Camaro's reputation. I'd be pretty annoyed if I bought a new SS with big rims and brakes and the look was compromised due to a quick fix involving a significant number of large weights being stuck onto the caliper. That isn't impressive problem solving by the engineers... the completely ignored any aestetic concerns! There must be a better way to address the problem... perhaps a mild reworking of the calipers to epoxy or bolt on additional mass on the back side where it isn't so easily viewed.

I am with you brother....Looks like crap and what concerns me is Long term.....anyways...GM does not care about it as I have made many calls and complete whitewash as expected.....I love the car and will have to live with it....Nobody on this forum has any interest in jumping in on the fight or disacussion although the moderators did say on the last podcast they would bring it up with GM but I am not too hopeful....I will be writing to the President of GM Canada and Fritz Henderson about it to make sure they know that people are pissed about it...

I don't mean to argue, but I need to address your choice of words...

I may have mentioned before that I am not sure if anyone is interested in a "fight". I also do not think that it is a case of no one caring, but a case of a solution being developed and no official statement can be made. I am only speculating on that.

To reiterate what was initially released...

Some early Camaro customers noticed there are wheel weights on the Camaro SS Brembo brake calipers. With high-performance vehicles like the Camaro SS, minor brake squeal is not uncommon. These weights were added to act as a damper to reduce the chances of brake squeal in non-performance driving under certain environmental conditions. This was done after careful evaluation and validation by our engineering team. These weights will only be added to early builds of the Camaro SS.
(I underlined some of the key points.)

I was reminded of this when I spoke with the Camaro "big 3", which also included a 4th or 5th person to offer their thoughts.

One of them (who definitely knows what they are talking about but is either not authorized to give official statements and/or just doesn't want the following to be one) offered this...

Specifically to your question, if someone takes the wheel weights off of the caliper, there is no performance impact, but they may find that under certain circumstances that they are getting brake squeal. Given the alternative, I would think they would prefer the look of the weights over the squeal any day. Also, look out on the internet for similar actions taken on high-performance braking systems. I understand that the 427 Mustang is looking at the same thing, due to brake squeal, but...it is hearsay to me.

I am waiting to see what the solution is for future Camaro SS builds.

Granted its not a cure all, but couldn't you use something like Permatex disc brake quiet part #80077 on the back of the pads to eliminate the squeal???

Maybe to messy??

"I am waiting to see what the solution is for future Camaro SS builds."

Jason, that is great for the future builds....what about the first builds?? what about the people who ordered years ago and patiently waited for their world class car (got that) with a world class brake system from a world reknown company like Brembo....(got good stopping power for sure so Kudos Camaro team for that... compromised by crappy looks inside the wheels and most of all a problematic long term future as to what happens when these weights wear out, fall off etc....of course this will all happen after warranty is over!)
Why cant GM admit this is a big problem and get it fixed with Brembo??
Sorry but the rant about more wheel weights coming on future high performance applications from other manufacturers holds NO water with me.
This is BREMBO for god's sakes....Why dont they pipe in on this?? Why does GM not pipe in on this ?? I am an owner and they have completely ignored my request for a discussion with anyone higher that a secretary !!
Is this called re-inventing one's self???

My 2010 RS/SS has the weights on front calipers only. Does anybody have these weights on the back calipers?