California Brake Squeak

I am about to pick up my first Ferrari. A 2012 California with 23,000 miles. A buddy told me that his 2010 California has a constant brake squeak. Is this a normal problem?

 

carbon ceramic brakes squeak. drive more aggressive and you should not hear squeaking.

 

Get used to it

 

These guys are wrong. I'm on my third Cali, plus I'm on my 2nd FF. My '16 Cali T just went over 20,000 miles. My '14 FF has 26k+ miles. Anyone that has squeaking brakes is treating their Cali as they treat their Prius. Once they start squeaking, the fix is simple. Take up to 60 mph and STAND ON THE BRAKES H A R D, real hard. Then take it up to 80 mph and do it again. If they squeak after that do it one more time. Amazing, the squeak will be gone. The FF does something slightly different, the parking brake system will squeal when cold after a ton of miles. Have a mechanic lube the parking brake parts and it will go away. That squeak only happens when the brakes are stone cold. The constant squeak at all temps is fixed as I described above.

 

I echo what Rick says. If I've learned anything from F-chat, your Ferrari will give you clues when you're not driving it enough! Anecdotally, it seems that many F-car issues are related to people letting them sit, and the more you drive them, the better they act. Plus, it's more fun! [emoji3] Congrats on your new Cali!
T

 

I FAILED to say Congratulations on your new Cali! They are GREAT fun!

 

Agreed ... drive them harder.

Dealer said to go 60 or 90 mph and FULL BRAKE to ABS ... down to 30, then repeat 2-3x

 

Thanks all. Very helpful.

 

When this is done, the brakes are quiet immediately (I have just done this on my way home 15 minutes ago). However I find that the squeak re occurs.

How often does this need to be done?

 

If done hard enough the squeak goes away for months ... although to be quite honest I drive mine pretty hard on a regular basis, meaning a spirited drive at least once a month taking someone for their first Ferrari drive. I have skipped many months at a time and had the squeak come back, followed by a spirited braking drive and having it go away.

You will not hurt the brakes! This process is done when new pads are first installed at the dealer anyway. After 2.5 hours on the Mid-Ohio race track a few years ago I did seem to eat up half of my brake pads, maybe more but a race track like that is brutal on the pads. $3,000 for a set of pads by the way plus labor. I can't imagine coming anywhere close to that abuse on the road though!

 

My dealer did a heat cycle two weeks ago, however noise is back again.

 

Bummer. Any cleaners or waxes or tire black getting on the rotors?

 

Nothing.

 

Very helpful all. Bottom line is drive the hell out of any Ferrari. Life is too short to sit in the outside lane and get passed by.

 

When I drive in traffic the brake noise is much much worse.

My local specialist suggested fitting anti squeal shims, hopefully this will help!

 

I drove to 70 then slammed on brakes, I did this two times.

After second time I got a warning message: suspension control system failure.

Stopped and restarted the car and it went away, anyone know the reason behind this?

Should I be worried?

 

Never heard of that, hopefully just a random one time gremlin. Did it at least get rid of the squeak?

 

Yes brakes are ok.

 

Rinse them off well (when they are cool) with water, they should quiet down. Sometimes they get a little dusty and squeak, even though it's nothing compared to "real" brake dust.

 

I have just given the car to my local specialist, will let you know on the outcome.
Wetting brakes does work, but only for a short period of time.

 

Any update @Magon ?
I have the exact same issue with my 2010 California.

Thx

 

The pads were sprayed with some anti squeal spray, were fine for a day or two only.

I drove through the city in traffic and started squeaking loudly again, I am back to square one!

Not sure what else to do?

 

Gosh, this is so strange. If possible, can you record this squeak? Mine squeak from time to time, but touch wood, never loudly or for extended period.

How's it compare to this BMW?

https://youtu.be/XBwXm1af1iE

T

 

Not as bad, but it's worst during city driving in traffic.

Has anyone tried aftermarket pads?

 

Hi Magon - I'm having the same issue and need some guidance on how you were able to fix the brake squeal. I have a 2011 Cali and have bedded the brakes 3 times and also bought new front pads. New pads were bedded too and I did the whole 80 to 0 mph like 5 to 6 times. Still nothing, the squeal remains. Did you have any luck on getting rid of your noise? Please let me know. Any help would be appreciated. I'm embarassed sometimes driving a 100K car and the brakes are squealing all over town.