2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 98.5 Brake Question

[Nick H]

I have owned this truck for five years, 50000 miles and tow a trailer loaded with 9000 lbs in stop and go traffic 40% of the time and the trailer does have brakes on both axles. I have been working on this brake problem ever since with a lot of help from this site. I don't know how true this is but someone told me the other day that 98. 5 was the worst year for brakes. Is this true cause it feels like it. What I have done so far over time is changed pads four times, rotors twice, adjust rears and lube calipers and pins ever 3000, changed rear cyl to chevy and finally replace calipers and front lines. All this and they still get hot like 390 hot checked with a IF thermometer. Now my rotors are starting to show small hair line cracks. Could there be a problem with the hydra boost or something? Thanks

 

[San Felipe Bob]

Yikes

Lubing the pins every 3000 miles?

Unfortunately that may not be enough.

Check out this handy video clip.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGHd5-j2TQk



It's a great example of calipers that do not drag.

If your tires don't spin freely your calipers are dragging.



Craking rotors?

Do you have cross drilled rotors?

Cross drilled rotors crack , In fact mine are cracked right now.

Next time I'm going with just slotted rotors.



Brake wear?

15,000 to 25,000 miles is about right for the weight of your rig.



I have an ATS transmission with a special controller that allows me to keep my torque converter locked up while de-accelerating this helps slow the truck down when I take my foot off the throttle.

That alone probably added 5,000 to 10,000 miles of life to my brakes.



I sure hope this helps.

Feel free to PM me any time if you need direct help.



SFB

 

[Nick H]

No they are regular roters. Do the slotted really provide better cooling. Thanks

 

[rotohead]

I have same truck and tow a trailer slightly lighter than your's and got tired of wearing out my front pads every 12,000 miles and constantly adjusting the rear drums. The huge imbalance of front to rear brakes motivated me to do the EGR rear disc brake conversion this past summer. It's a expensive kit and the parking brake doesn't work as well but I think I'm glad I did this rather than changing out to the Chevy 1-ton cylinder and staying with the drums. The EGR isn't a huge improvement but it is sufficient enough for me. I don't see any more brake dust all over the front wheels after one trip towing and it feels more balanced. No more adjusting the rears once a month. The whole brake system takes some looking at very often to keep it functioning well.

Chuck

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

You might consider an exhaust brake but you might have to do some upgrades to the auto first. I have 200,000 miles on my '98. 5 and I've put 3 sets of pads on the front, am about to replace my rotors for the first time (factory ones lasted 200k), and am still on the original shoes and drums on the rear. I have a 5 speed and have had an exhaust brake since about 35k.

 

[DMcPherson]

I have all discs but the powerslot rotors definately helped a lot. a lot less brake fade too

 

[Nick H]

I can't do the rear disc because EGR does not have a kit for the 3500. The reason why I ask about the hydra boost is that lately around here is has been very cold and the brakes work alot better until the truck warms up. We had a heavy snow storm which forced me to go about 35-40mph in 4x4 on the highway for 14 miles and you could smell them burning and I did not appply them once.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Have you replaced the brake fluid? You could have water contamination in the brake fluid and the water will freeze and expand and cause the brakes to drag (or lock up). 9 year old brake fluid is way overdue to be replaced if you haven't already.

 

[Nick H]

Yes once a year I flush the fluid. Thanks

 

[rotohead]

I can't do the rear disc because EGR does not have a kit for the 3500. The reason why I ask about the hydra boost is that lately around here is has been very cold and the brakes work alot better until the truck warms up. We had a heavy snow storm which forced me to go about 35-40mph in 4x4 on the highway for 14 miles and you could smell them burning and I did not appply them once.

Sorry, didn't notice you had a 3500. Me butthead...