brake surging

[McGivern]

Hello,

Wondering if anyone has a brake condition where it feels like a rotor or drum is warped under light to moderate braking. The truck stops fine, but it is annoying.



I am considering switching to EGR big brakes in the front and disc conversion in the rear, but want to fix the end causing the current problem first.



Suggestions?



Thanks,

Mark

 

[BCook1]

Mine surged too.

When I got my truck, the brakes surged like crazy. I put on rebuilt calipers, new shoes and turned the rotors and that stopped the problem. Also, the rears don't self-adjust worth a damn. I think that is why the fronts warp - they are doing all the work. Set your rears by hand - don't count on the self-adjusters.

 

[Pawpaw]

I stopped using one national tire chain after they warped the rotors on my Dodge van. It took twice for me to catch on to what was happening. Instead of using a torque wrench, they were using an air gun and cranking down the lugs.



I started having all tire and brake work done at NTB and haven't had any problems since.

 

[SClements]

Mine does the same thing. Front rotors are warped badly, and the rear drums suck. Instead of throwing money at the factory stuff I'm going to do the EGR thing front and rear as you said. I thought there was a group buy on this a while back or something. Maybe we could get enough folks together and get a deal going!



Seane

 

[dpuckett]

I thougth self adjusting meant you had to crawl under there every other oil change and adjust em yerself? I would be interested in an EGR GP if a) I had the $$$, and b) if they could do a rear disc conversion for my DRW. Yeah, I know, a D80 axle from a 01. 5 would fit the bill; then I could get 3. 31 gears But new wheels, tires, etc. Too big a pain, not enough gain



Daniel

 

[cerberusiam]

The brakes surging is a pretty good indication the front rotors are warped and the rear self adjusters aren't working correctly. Common problem with a relatively easy fix. The rear adjusters will work quite well with some maintenance and periodically tossing the hardware and replacing it with new pieces. Just how often depends on the amount of miles and type of driving you do.



If you have to replace the front rotors don't do the cheap route or you will have to do it again sooner than you would like. Make sure you get the high quality (read that expensive) rotors for replacement. The cheaper ones just don't last.



Before doing the EGR rear conversion check some of the threads here about it. There are mixed reviews about fit and finish, cost, and efficacy. The front systems seem to work well under heavy use but for normal use the cost is a factor.



You can get better braking in the rear by changing to 3'' shoes like the 350's have and the cost is reasonable. The same goes for the front, just use good pads and make sure the rotors are in good shape.



IMO the cost of the EGR conversion is about even with putting on a good exhaust brake system if you have a manual trans. The auto is whole different ball game. It can be done and work real well but the $$$ can get scary.



Not down on EGR's stuff the least bit. Its a good solution. Just have a problem putting cheby and furd parts on my Dodge and a feeling that someday getting a set of calipers for a 75 caddy could be a problem.

 

[JLEONARD]

At 130 K miles, 40 K of them mine, and 13 years, I am starting to get a little "warpism" of the fronts. Probably will change them out, as I'd guess they're originals... ...

I'll stick with the stock set-up again because I think that's pretty good service all in all.

If I towed or hauled I might think differently.

Jay

I thougth self adjusting meant you had to crawl under there every other oil change and adjust em yerself

Good one!

 

[McGivern]

Thanks for all the help guys. I think I'll adjust the self adjusters (ha ha) on the rears and check the runout on the front rotors this weekend.



As for replacing the fronts, I sure would like a little more stopping power. Since I made her a crew cab, she doesn't really like to stop- even empty!



I did put the 3" shoes on the back at about 120K. They seem to help with a trailer but I can't tell the difference empty.



Thanks for all the input



Mark

 

[bgilbert]

Mark, any new word on a cover? I remember a ways back you talked about TDR not giving you a cover, was the reason you only have one pic in the readers rigs. If no word, how bout some pics? -- email address removed --.

 

[McGivern]

No cover for me, but that's OK. I guess they like those plain-jane stock 03's better than a custom truck looking at the latest issue. I do not have any digital pics, or I'd send you some. I'll borrow a camera one of these days and post them on my profile...

 

[RGT]

I have what I think are original front rotors on my truck also, and they are way past usefull life. What are good/quality aftermarket rotors?, and pads too? and where to get them? I am tempted to go to the dealer just so I know what I am getting...